[4] In the winter of 1833–34, this vision, along with other concerns for the well-being of his people, prompted Chief Shingwauk to travel by snowshoe to York, Ontario (now Toronto):[5] a voyage of nearly 700 km (430 mi).

In 1873, the "Teaching Wigwam Lodge" became a reality with a school (Shingwauk Industrial Home) being constructed in the Garden River community.

[7] However, because of the Anglican Church and the assimilation policies of the Government of Canada, the operations and purpose of this iteration of the "Teaching Wigwam Lodge" were not true to Chief Shingwauk's vision.

[11] Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig is recognized as one of the nine Indigenous Institutes in Ontario and currently partners with Algoma University to provide undergraduate degree programs in Anishinaabemowin and Anishinaabe studies.

The construction of this facility will drastically change the programming and capacity of Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig to provide culture based learning opportunities.