Seneca’s Odeyto Indigenous Centre Officially Open

Seneca College celebrated the grand opening of the Odeyto Indigenous Centre at Seneca’s Newnham Campus last Friday. Designed by Gow Hastings Architects in collaboration with Two Row Architect, the new home for the FirstPeoples@Seneca, provides a safe and recognizable space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students on campus.

The design of Odeyto—the Anishinaabe word for “good journey”—was created as a home away from home, a place where students can gather not only to practice their traditions, but also to find new friendships and family while away from their communities.

Conceptually, the addition and renovation was inspired by the image of a canoe pulling up to a dock, making a stop 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, the canoe announces its importance through its distinctive form.

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, and a long bench seat. The building incorporates aspects of traditional knowledge drawn from many other Indigenous cultures across Turtle Island.