The Odeyto Indigenous Centre at Seneca College’s Newnham Campus is a home away from home for the FirstPeoples@Seneca. Conceptually, the addition and renovation are inspired by the image of a canoe pulling up to a dock, stopping at Seneca College to gather knowledge before continuing on life’s journey. The canoe-like form docks alongside the contrasting rigid lines of the existing precast concrete building. As the only building on campus with an organic curvilinear design, Odeyto breaks away from the colonial grid that dominates on the campus.
Striking when viewed from the outside, the building’s curves also create a warm, womb-like interior. The structure alludes to the Haudenasaunee longhouse, a traditional reference that is further reinforced by glass entrances on the east and west, aligned to the summer solstice. The red doors honour the missing and murdered indigenous women. The interior program of the building consists of two distinct spaces. The first holds a student work area and counselling offices. Adapted from a former classroom, this is a warmly-lit work area with a low ceiling where students can use computers, work with tutors, or speak with a counsellor. Beyond this, in the new purpose-built addition, is the main lounge, a generous space for all kinds of gatherings, from celebrations and ceremonies to socializing and spending casual time with community elders.
Adjacent to the Boreal Garden, outdoor space is easily accessed for traditional ceremonies and teaching. The threshold between these two spaces represents the link between academia and the community support that will help First Peoples students through their post-secondary journey.
Embedding Indigenous knowledge from advisors Two Row Architects into the design of the building allows it to reference many Indigenous cultures all at once. Design features influenced by this knowledge include the structure’s directionality, alignment with celestial cycles, cultural observances, value of materials, tactility, craft, expression of structure, and extension into the surrounding landscape. These elements constitute a space that is immediately recognizable as Indigenous, and can educate and inform visitors about Indigenous culture, inspiring them to want to learn more.
Odeyto—the Anishinaabe word for “good journey”—is a space where First Nation, Metis and Inuit students can gather not only to practice their traditions, but also to find new friendships and family when away from their communities. Odeyto is central in creating and completing an Indigenized landscape at Seneca College, reaching out and enfolding a white pine peace tree and a medicine garden to promise a future only filled with prosperity.
