Shawenjigewining Hall
About Shawenjigewining Hall
Shawenjigewining Hall, located next to the Campus Library and Energy Research Centre, completes the university’s quad (Polonsky Commons). It houses the Faculty of Health Sciences, Office of Student Life, Continuous Learning, and the Ontario Tech Student Union.
Shawenjigewining Hall also includes Mukwa’s Den, an Indigenous space that offers a home away from home for Indigenous students and a place for all students to connect with Indigenous culture and resources.
The building features modern academic, administrative and student support spaces, research labs, classrooms, faculty offices, study and lounge areas, and facilities for student-run societies and clubs. It serves as an additional campus hub for collaboration and practical learning opportunities.
@otfuturestudent This place truly is the heartbeat of our campus! 💙 #CampusTour #OntarioTech #University #Tour ♬ vlog, chill out, calm daily life(1370843) - SUNNY HOOD STUDIO
The meaning of Shawenjigewining
Shawenjigewining (pronounced: "zha-wen-ji-GEH'-win-ing") is an Anishinaabe word meaning 'The Place of Kindness'. The name was first determined by Dorothy Taylor, a Mississauga Anishinaabe Elder from Curve Lake First Nation and Rick Bourque, Abenaki Algonquin Nation, Mi'Kmaq, Lakota, and Maliseet, Traditional Knowledge Keeper at Ontario Tech. While conducting a sweat lodge ceremony, Bourque had a vision of a deer and arrows crossed. He later shared the vision with Elder Taylor who interpreted the vision and the name Shawenjigewining, a place of kindness and friendship, was revealed.
A plaque with the building's name, its meaning, and artist Luke Swinson's image of a deer, which is Shawenjigewining Halls visual identity, will be permanently displayed in the front foyer of the building. An excerpt from the plaque's inscription reads: "Kindness is a central teaching to Indigenous people, and the deer represents kindness and enduring friendship. It is hoped that this location will become an enduring place of kindness and friendship."
Explore Shawenjigewining Hall
Self-guided walking tour
Virtual Street View tour
How to get here
Get directions to Shawenjigewining Hall
