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A garden rooted in relationships, learning, and the land

A new Indigenous garden is taking shape at Durham College’s (DC) Whitby Campus. More than a space to grow plants, it offers an opportunity to learn from the land, build relationships, and explore Indigenous approaches to sustainability.

The garden is part of the campus’ food forest — a growing approach rooted in Indigenous agricultural practices that bring together a variety of edible plants in layers that reflect the structure of a natural forest — and contributes to DC’s commitment to expand Indigenous-led initiatives, creating space for Indigenous knowledge, teachings, and perspectives.

Developed in partnership with The Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture (Barrett Centre), which supports hands-on learning and exploration in sustainable food production and agriculture, the project began with an Indigenous ground blessing in May.

“The Barrett Centre is a place where we can explore new approaches to growing food and caring for the land, and the Indigenous garden adds an important dimension to that work,” said Carey Yeoman, Strategic Initiatives Manager, Barrett Centre. “The ground blessing marked the beginning of our Indigenous Agroecology installation, which will encourage a broader way of thinking about food production and what a farm can offer as a learning environment. It demonstrates that there are many ways to work with the land and produce food while caring for the health of the soil.”

Growing knowledge through connection

At the heart of the garden are teachings about relationships and reciprocity.

Sweetgrass, known as the hair of Mother Earth, is among the medicines growing. Also used in braiding practices, sweetgrass represents the strength that comes from bringing individual strands together. On their own, the strands are not as strong; woven together, they become stronger. The teaching reflects the importance of relationships and community and connects with DC’s Braiding Learning Framework.

In keeping with Indigenous teachings, tobacco, known as the first medicine, is another important component in the garden. Tobacco is offered back to the Earth when plants or medicines are harvested as a gesture of gratitude, reinforcing the idea of living with the land rather than simply using it.

Learning across disciplines

Developed as a cross-collaborative project, the garden draws on the Anishinaabe’s Seven Grandfather Teachings, which encourage us to honour the knowledge shared by those who came before, learn from experience, and remain open to the experiences and teachings of others.

It is also creating opportunities for students across DC to bring their skills and perspectives together through hands-on learning.

Horticulture Technician and Horticulture – Food and Farming students put their knowledge into practice through planting and harvesting. Carpentry and Renovation students built the raised planters and benches, while Graphic Design students are contributing signage, illustrations, and interactive QR code elements that will help visitors learn more about the space. In the kitchen, Culinary Management students are exploring innovative ways to work with and harvest the crops.

“The garden is a space where community and learning come together, and where students can see how different areas of knowledge connect,” said Jennifer Fournier, Teaching and Learning Consultant – Indigenous Pedagogies, DC. “Bringing Indigenous teachings, agriculture, design, skilled trades, and culinary learning into one shared space creates meaningful opportunities to learn from one another and understand the value of working together.”

A naming ceremony will take place in the future to formally announce the garden’s Anishinaabe name, marking another step in its story and the relationships that continue to grow from it.

Durham College recognizes Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with second annual Mini Powwow

On Wednesday, September 30, the Durham College (DC) community gathered to recognize Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The second annual Mini Powwow, hosted by DC’s First Peoples Indigenous Centre (FPIC), honoured the Survivors of the residential school system, their families and communities, and the children who never returned home.

“Today, we come together in the spirit of remembrance, reflection, and reconciliation. This is a day to honour Survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities, while acknowledging the lasting impacts of these institutions. It is also a day to listen, to learn, and to carry these teachings forward in our everyday lives,” said Dr. Kayla Murphy, Director, Indigenous Initiatives.

Sharing their wisdom at the morning event were Elder Dorothy Taylor of Curve Lake First Nation, who opened the proceedings with a prayer, and Susan Byrne, president of the Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle, who shared reflections and teachings.

The Powwow also featured a sacred fire lighting ceremony by Firekeeper and three-time DC alumnus Ronald Leaman, as well as drumming, dancing and teachings by the High Tide Singers and Head Dancer Brooke Wheeler, Peyton Jones and Rachel Taunton, FPIC’s Indigenous Communities Outreach Coordinator, who was instrumental in the creation of this new DC tradition.

The event was held in the Naanaagide’endamowin “The Art of Thinking” Courtyard at the Oshawa campus, as well as inside the FPIC space in the Centre for Collaborative Education. The afternoon’s activities included drop-in crafts, fireside chats and vendors, and a traditional Plant Teachings workshop hosted by Matthew Levac.

Also in support of the day, the Durham College Student Association hosted a button-making event earlier in the week, where students were invited to create a button, reflect on the significance of the day, and show their commitment to truth, reconciliation, and the message that Every Child Matters.

“For post-secondary institutions, including DC, reconciliation carries a particular responsibility. We play an important role in advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action by creating spaces where Indigenous knowledge, histories, and perspectives are respected and valued; in addressing systemic barriers; and in supporting meaningful change,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, DC President.

“Our commitment to this work is reflected in our Strategic Vision and demonstrated in our daily actions that bring Indigenous ways of knowing into teaching and learning, amplify Indigenous voices and stories, deepen relationships with Indigenous communities, and create opportunities for employees and students to further their understanding of Indigenous histories and experiences.”

Resources to support the DC community’s continued learning and reflecting on reconciliation are available:

New name, stronger connection: DC introduces RITS

Durham College (DC) has brought together its applied research, institutional research, co-op, and corporate training teams under a new name – Research, Innovation and Training Services (RITS) – reflecting their evolution and growing role in helping industry and community partners leverage DC’s talent, expertise, and capabilities.

“RITS combines Corporate Training Services’ strengths in business development and relationship management with the specialized technical expertise and research capacity of DC’s five research centres,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, Associate Vice President, Innovation and Research. “Together, the team provides a single point of connection for our partners and creates measurable impact for people, organizations, and communities.”

As industry needs continue to evolve, RITS is focused on strengthening partnerships and forging new opportunities in priority areas including AI, immersive simulations, defence, and nuclear and energy sectors. Through these areas of focus, RITS leverages DC’s talent, technology and applied expertise to address real-world challenges and contribute to economic and community development.

RITS’ integrated approach also supports dynamic learning opportunities for students and employees while helping organizations and communities access the specialized knowledge, training and innovation they need to grow.

To learn more about RITS services or to explore partnership opportunities, visit the new RITS website.

Kicking off the 2026-27 Academic Year at Durham College

This week, Durham College (DC) officially welcomed the 2026-27 academic year.

Classes began on Tuesday, September 8 at both our Oshawa and Whitby campuses, with approximately 10,800 students making DC their Best. Decision. Ever. More than half of those are first-year students beginning their journeys towards earning graduate certificates, diplomas and degrees in 145-plus market-driven programs.

We welcomed the first cohorts of students into four new future-focused programs, where they will gain the skills and experience employers are looking for in:

DC’s newest students had the opportunity to get a jump on their campus community experience over the last two weeks with our full slate of Academic Welcome events. There, they connected with faculty members and their new classmates, learned more about their programs, and explored the DC campus.

This year’s first day of classes was capped off with a record-setting Campus Cup, the annual event where DC’s men and women’s soccer teams battle their counterparts from Ontario Tech University. Over 2,000 fans set an attendance record to watch the action at Vaso’s Field, where DC’s women’s team won their game 1-0 while the men fell 2-1 in a competitive contest.

Fun Orientation events continue throughout September, including The Main Stage, Campus Con 5, Campus Rec Day and much more.

Whether you’re a new or returning student, or one of our accomplished faculty members and employees, we can’t wait to see what this academic year holds for you.

Start your own DC journey! Visit www.durhamcollege.ca to explore our programs, campus events, and student life.

New Campus High-Performance Complex coming to the Oshawa campus

Durham College (DC) and Ontario Tech University (OTU) are creating a new destination for students to play, train, study, and connect. 

Anticipated to open in August 2028, the Campus High-Performance Complex (CHPC) is a three-storey project that will add nearly 60,000 square feet of new space and renovate approximately 9,000 square feet within the Campus Ice Centre. It will include basketball and volleyball courts; integrated strength, conditioning and fitness areas; study and lounge spaces; and expanded food services, in addition to the existing two ice pads.

The flexible facility will serve the DC Lords and OTU Ridgebacks varsity teams while creating more capacity for intramurals, fitness programming, tournaments, camps, campus events and everyday student and community use.

“The Campus High-Performance Complex builds on the strong partnership between Durham College and Ontario Tech,” said Scott Dennis, Director, Athletics and Recreation at DC. “This new facility will provide optimal spaces for connection, performance, and wellness, giving students and student-athletes an environment where they can thrive. It also reflects our shared commitment to creating a connected campus and strengthening our relationship with the broader community.”

“This expansion will give our student-athletes the environment they need to pursue excellence while creating more opportunities for every student to be active, build community and feel connected to campus,” said Audra Sherman, Director, Athletics and Recreation at OTU. “It reflects the high-performance, student-centred future we are building for the Ridgebacks.”

The project is in response to growing participation and capacity pressures across existing athletics and recreation facilities. Its modern, accessible spaces will support physical well-being and a sense of belonging while giving students more places to connect and recharge between classes.

Beyond daily student use, the new facility will create additional opportunities for community programming, rentals, tournaments, camps and events. It will help strengthen the shared campus as a destination for sport, recreation and community activity across Durham Region.

The Campus Ice Centre will remain open during construction.

Bistro ’67 wins two Whitby Reader’s Choice awards

Bistro ’67 has been recognized as one of Whitby’s most popular dining establishments.

This summer, Durham College’s (DC) teaching-inspired restaurant won two Reader’s Choice Awards for Whitby; nabbing a Diamond in the ‘Best Bang for Your Buck’ category, and a Platinum in ‘Best Vegetarian Restaurant.’

The success of Bistro ’67 is a true team effort and a direct reflection of DC’s commitment to experiential learning and innovation, according to Lori Saint, General Manager of the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food.

Horticulture Food and Farming and Horticulture Technician students grow and harvest ingredients on campus. In the kitchen, Culinary Skills and Culinary Management students turn those ingredients into meals. Hospitality Skills and Hospitality – Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management students complete the experience by welcoming and serving guests.

“Our students are at the heart of everything we do, and it’s rewarding to know that our guests value both the dining experience and the opportunity to support student learning,” she said. “The restaurant is a collaborative learning environment where education and industry come together.”

When considering the Platinum award, she points to the students and staff who work the fields at the Whitby campus as well as the Barrett Centre for Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture’s Ajax farm for making Bistro ’67 a terrific choice for vegetarian diners.

“It speaks to one of the things that makes Bistro ’67 unique,” she said. “We love collaborating with the Barrett Centre team and are continually inspired by the incredible produce they grow. Having access to such fresh, seasonal ingredients allows our chefs and students to be creative, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see our guests embrace those dishes.”

By investing in sustainable food systems, hands-on training, and local partnerships, DC has created a truly unique dining experience that the community has embraced.

“Bistro ’67 allows students to develop valuable real-world skills while providing guests with fresh, seasonal cuisine,” said Saint. “This award is a recognition of that shared commitment to excellence across the college.”

Centre for Success students celebrate at annual Completion Ceremony

Every student’s path to success looks different. For more than 230 students at Durham College (DC), that path included finding support, building confidence, and discovering new possibilities through the Centre for Success program.

Last month, the students were recognized at a special completion ceremony at the Tribute Communities Centre, and were joined by family, friends, educators, and community partners to celebrate their achievements.

The Centre for Success program offers students an alternative pathway to success through smaller class sizes, individualized support, and learning within a college environment. They can also earn high school and post-secondary credits while exploring future education and career options.

“This program gave many of us something that we needed: a second chance, a fresh start, and people who believed in us before we could believe in ourselves,” said one student, Emily Krolicki. “The teachers and staff here did more than help us graduate; they reminded us that our mistakes do not decide our future. No matter how far behind you may feel, it is never too late to change your path.”

The program is a longstanding partnership between DC and local school boards, including the Durham District School Board, Durham Catholic District School Board, and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board.

“The Centre for Success is built on the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed. Our students come to us with unique experiences and challenges, and it is incredibly rewarding to see them discover their strengths, build confidence, and realize their potential,” said Meagan Quesnelle, Director, Dual Credits and Academic Upgrading at DC.

That sentiment was echoed by Victoria Kee, Manager, Dual Credits and Academic Upgrading, who proudly watched this year’s students receive their well-earned recognition.

“Success is not always a straight path,” she said. “With the right support, encouragement, and opportunities, students can achieve remarkable things.”

Local high school students cook up sustainable solutions at Durham College

This spring, local high school students from the Durham District School Board (DDSB) put their burgeoning culinary skills to the test at Durham College (DC), creating delicious dishes while learning how sustainable ingredients can reduce food costs, improve nutrition, and lessen environmental impact.

At DC’s W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, 30 students in Grades 10 to 12 from Eastdale CVI, Uxbridge Secondary School, Henry Street High School, and J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate took part in the inaugural Sustainability Challenge. The participants prepared soups, stews, and chili recipes containing at least 30 per cent beans and lentils (also referred to as pulses), while showcasing seasonal Ontario ingredients.

“The contest gave students an opportunity to experience sustainability in action,” said DC faculty member, David Hawey. “By combining plant-based ingredients with traditional proteins, students discovered they could create nutritious, affordable, and environmentally responsible meals without sacrificing flavour. Just as importantly, they experienced what it’s like to learn and work in a professional cooking environment.”

Before the event, Hawey and fellow DC faculty members Peter Lee and Ron Subden visited the students at their schools to discuss the importance of sustainable cooking practices.

The competitors were then able to build off that knowledge to produce recipes utilizing seasonal ingredients and pulses, while reducing food waste.

“Anytime we can work together with Durham College, it adds a lot of value for our students,” said Krista Parker, Dual Credit Facilitator with the DDSB. “Getting the college instructors into our classrooms and helping our students is a fantastic opportunity. We are grateful for all that DC does to support Durham District School Board students.”

While the young chefs were hard at work in the kitchen, 30 additional students attended as guests, touring the Whitby Campus while serving as official tasters during the People’s Choice portion of the competition.

For DC, the event was an opportunity to strengthen relationships with local high schools, showcase our state-of-the-art facilities and industry-driven programs to prospective students, and emphasize the importance of sustainability in food production.

“Sustainability is embedded in our culinary programs,” said Hawey. “It’s important to address food insecurity, rising prices, and responsible agricultural and food production techniques, all of which raise awareness of environmental and financial sustainability.”

Are you passionate about food? Learn more about DC’s culinary programs online.

Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association honours Durham College with Community Service Award

Durham College’s (DC) Athletics and Recreation department has received national recognition for its commitment to inclusive sport.

The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) named DC as the recipient of its Community Service Award for the 2025-26 season.

DC was recognized for the ‘Sport is for everyBODY!’ parasport initiative, a partnership with ParaSport Ontario, focused on creating inclusive and accessible sport and recreation opportunities for students and community members of all abilities.

Throughout the year, DC introduced students and community members to wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, sledge hockey and other adaptive sports. The college was also the host venue for major parasport events like the 2025 Wheelchair Basketball National Championships and national team training camps, as well as the Ontario Volleyball Association’s sitting volleyball camps.

“Community engagement has always been at the heart of what we do at Durham College, and everybody has contributed to this initiative: our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and community partners,” said Scott Dennis, Director of Athletics and Recreation at DC. “To be recognized nationally is incredibly meaningful. Sport is for everybody, and we want to get people involved in athletics in any way we can.”

The initiative also created hands-on learning opportunities for DC students, who worked alongside leaders from Parasport Ontario to deliver inclusive programming like goalball, boccia, and sitting volleyball.

The Athletics and Recreation team intends to build on the initiative in the future, with plans underway for a Parasport Summer Camp next year, as well as more athletic offerings.

To learn more about inclusive sports at DC, visit the Durham Lords website and social media.

Lacrosse Sixes: The newest sport at Durham College

This fall, student-athletes at Durham College (DC) will hit the lacrosse field for the first time.

DC is joining Humber Polytechnic, Mohawk College, and Fleming College in a pilot season of lacrosse sixes, with the goal of making the popular sport a permanent fixture in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA).

Each of the four schools will host an exhibition series this fall, with DC set to welcome teams to the Oshawa campus on October 18.

“Lacrosse has deep roots in Canadian heritage, especially in our region, and we are excited to help create another pathway for athletes to continue competing at the collegiate level,” said Scott Dennis, Director of Athletics and Recreation at DC. “The growth of the game across Durham Region, combined with the passion within our local lacrosse community, makes this an exciting opportunity for Durham College and the OCAA. We are proud to help shape the future of collegiate lacrosse and create new opportunities for athletes to be part of the game.”

Lacrosse sixes is played on a 70 by 36 metre surface (smaller than field lacrosse) with six players on each side. As a competitive club sport, the team will be open to both men and women. Tryouts will be held at the Campus Fieldhouse in September.

DC’s team will be led by head coach Kyle Curtis, a Whitby native with extensive experience in the sport both on and off the field. He has coached teams for the Whitby Minor Lacrosse Association, Edge Lacrosse, and Team Ontario, as well as the Oshawa Blue Knights. In his own playing career, he competed at the NCAA Division II level with Belmont Abbey College.

“To be part of launching lacrosse at Durham College is an opportunity I’m extremely grateful for,” said Curtis. “I’m excited to help build a program that players can be proud of, compete at a high level and create another pathway for local student-athletes to stay in Durham Region while continuing their lacrosse careers.”

The popularity of lacrosse continues to grow in the region, with several established minor lacrosse organizations and the recent arrival of the National Lacrosse League’s Oshawa Firewolves.

“The number one question we get at Open House is, ‘Do you have lacrosse?’. There’s a demand for it,” said Dennis. “There’s definitely a lacrosse movement right now, so to be a part of that at the college level is exciting.”

To learn more about the first year of DC lacrosse, visit the Durham Lords website.