Our newest 334-bed residence building Endaayaan – Tkanónsote opened in September 2022 on Albert Street. The building sets a high bar for sustainability and cultural inclusion with modern amenities to attract students, and it algins with the goals and values in the Queen’s University Strategy, For the Future, particularly: “We accept our responsibility to build a diverse, equitable, inclusive and anti-racist community for our people, to Indigenize and decolonize the academy, and in all that we do, to observe the interest of the planet and the life it sustains.”
Naming History
Endaayaan – Tkanónsote pronounced: (End-ah-yawn – t-gaw-noon-so-day) is Indigenous words for home, reflecting the building’s purpose and function as your home at this unique time in your lives, as you meet new people, and grow and thrive as individuals and new members of the Queen’s community.
The structure and approach to the name in both, the Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway) and Kanyen’kéha (Mohawk) languages, acknowledges the traditional territory lands, history, and significance for the Indigenous peoples who lived, and continue to live, upon it. It's an inclusive approach to naming residences, and one we hope to build on. Learn more!
LEED Gold
The building targets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. Endaayaan – Tkanónsote is on Albert Street, South of Union Street on a site that was previously occupied by five (5) university-owned houses. The building — which integrated two of the original five houses from the site into its design, maintains the look and feel of the surrounding community. It provides a significant investment into sustainable student housing, while providing inclusive, and accessible spaces.
Building Features
- Five floors, 334 beds
- 290 standard rooms, 10 Don suites
- Mainly single-plus bedrooms, a single room with an adjoining bathroom shared with one other student of the same identified gender and some rooms with private bath
- Main building includes three lounges on each floor – one for study, one attached to laundry facilities and one with a kitchenette
- Integrated houses feature a nap room with private nap pods
- Lounge/kitchenette/study/common space in the houses provide opportunity for residence students who can’t get back to their room easily to have a place to hang out between classes (commuter-style space)
- Each of the two integrated houses has a private apartment on the third floor, for live-in professional staff
- Each student room includes a mini fridge and TV
History & Environmental
- Environmental stewardship targets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification
- Two of the five existing buildings that previously occupied the site, and the existing boulevard trees were preserved, to incorporate their original look and feel into the streetscape and provide unique student amenities
- Planting of butternut trees in the protected area of the arboretum in front of Summerhill.
- Installation of bird strike window coverings
- Indoor bike storage (and sports equipment)
Cultural Considerations
Aligning to our commitment to Indigeneity - Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism, and Accessibility, Endaayaan – Tkanónsote has many unique features to make students from around the world feel at home including a:
- Prayer room with two ablution stations
- Yoga and meditation room
- Outdoor courtyard gathering space
We look to honour Queen’s relationships with Indigenous peoples, as we prioritize reconciliation, with naming the residence with an Indigenous name to complement the teaching elements of Indigenous cultures, like the Two Row Wampum and the Turtle Shell, featured in the building courtyard designed by local Indigenous artist David R. Maracle.
Endaayaan – Tkanónsote transforms as one of Housing and Ancillary Services Summer Accommodations for hosting, youth groups, sports teams, corporate clients, international conference delegates, summer students, and visitors to Kingston.
Accessibility
The residence was built to include more accessible living spaces meeting the Ontario Building Code (OBC) for accessibility including:
- Barrier free (BF) single plus, BF singles and regular singles
- 1 OBC accessible don suite
- 30 shared OBC accessible rooms
- 10 OBC accessible rooms
- 4 fully accessible rooms
- Accessible entrance with elevators
- Accessible washers & dryers on each floor
- Service Animal washing station