By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Bishop’s University (BU) has reached a significant milestone in the renovation of Kwigw8mna (formerly Divinity House), the Indigenous Students’ Gathering Space and Resource Centre, marking the halfway point in the construction of this project. The transformation of this historic building, located on the university’s campus, is set to offer a welcoming environment for Indigenous students while fostering cultural exchange and understanding among the broader university community.
According to the BU website, the name Kwigw8mna, which translates to “our and everyone’s house” in Abenaki, was bestowed upon the building by Chief Rick O’Bomsawin of Odanak. The building is intended to be a “home away from home” for Indigenous students, providing them with a comfortable and resourceful environment, while also serving as a space for cultural exchange where non-Indigenous members of the university can learn about Indigenous cultures.
Shawna Chatterton-Jerome, Coordinator of Indigenous Student Support Services at BU, provided significant insights during a recent interview about the current state of the project. She explained that the renovation of Kwigw8mna began in December 2023, but the project has faced several challenges due to the building’s age, which dates back to the 1800s.
“We had to remove everything and literally just leave kind of the skeleton of the building,” Chatterton-Jerome said, describing the extensive work required to preserve the historic structure while making it safe for modern use. She noted that some of the brick walls were crumbling and not solid enough to build on, necessitating the introduction of a metal structure to support the building.
These structural challenges have caused delays in the project timeline. “Originally, we were looking at completing the project by October 2024,” Chatterton-Jerome explained. “But because of these structural problems that are out of our hands and kind of develop in the moment, the opening will now align more with the beginning of 2025.” While the exact month remains uncertain, she estimated that the building could be ready by February, with March being the latest possible completion date.
