U of O offering free tuition to students from some Algonquin First Nations
The University of Ottawa is offering free tuition to students from the Algonquin Anishinàbeg Nation starting in the fall semester, the school announced Thursday.
As part of the university's 2025-2030 Indigenous action plan, tuition fees will be waived for students in undergraduate, master's and doctoral programs who are members of a federally recognized Algonquin First Nation.
"Education is the new life force for Indigenous people ... to become educated and to reinstate ourselves as the great nations that we were before colonization," said Tareyn Johnson, director of Indigenous affairs at the University of Ottawa.
"I do think that it's a very important gesture, and it's one of many important gestures that need to be made."
The offer will not be applied retroactively, but qualifying students who are already enrolled won't have to pay to complete their studies.
The 10 federally recognized Algonquin First Nations in Ontario and Quebec are:
Kitigan Zibi.
Barrière Lake/Rapid Lake.
Kitcisakik.
Lac Simon.
Abitibiwinni/Pikogan.
Long Point/Winneway.
Timiskaming.
Kebaowek.
Wolf Lake.
Pikwakanagan.
Housing, other fees not covered
The offer will not cover housing or other ancillary fees for services such health insurance, Johnson said. The student or their First Nation would pay those, though Johnson noted the university offers a bursary to some Indigenous students to help cover some of their costs.
Students who are interested should apply through their First Nation, the same way they have applied for bursaries and scholarships in the past, Johnson advised.
"We're removing that burden of expense, then they can redistribute it to other people in their community," she said.
Johnson wasn't sure how much the offer will cost the university, but called the potential cost "negligible compared to the impact it's going to have."
Johnson said depending on how many Algonquin students take the university up on its offer, the program could be expanded to include other First Nations.
"I'm hoping that after the first year showing the institution it's not this really significantly high number, that my goal would be to extend it to all of Ontario," she said.
Carleton University and Queen's University offer awards and funding for Indigenous students.
Indigenous action plan
Beyond offering free tuition, the university's Indigenous action plan includes other changes:
All faculty and staff will be "required to complete a First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) 101 workshop including competency modules related to their specific employment sector."
The Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies will be "revitalized" and eventually master's and doctoral programs in addition to its undergraduate program. It will also host a new Algonquin research chair.
The university's library will address harmful terminology and language in line with the "decolonize the library" movement that's "emerging across Canada."
A committee will be formed to determine whether buildings and other infrastructure on campus need to be renamed.
The university will offer Indigenous food on campus.
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