The Ottawa Ismaili Students Association dates back to the 1990s and has been one of the most active Ismaili Students Associations across Canada.
In partnership with Montreal ISA and Queen’s ISA, OISA was the host of the Triangle Games over a decade ago, an inter-ISA sports competition that was held between the three schools. The popularity and success of the Triangle Games inspired the creation of OISA’s Winter Fest, an annual winter sports tournament that was hosted in Ottawa from 1998 to 2006. The Winter Fest sports tournament was succeeded by the annual Post-Secondary Games which is currently hosted every year by an Ismaili Student’s Association in Ontario.
In 2011, OISA began its Red Nation era. The colour red was chosen to brand OISA because it symbolized the club’s unique position in the capital of Canada. In OISA’s debut year as Red Nation, the first ever Spirit Trophy was awarded to OISA at the 2011 Post-Secondary Games. At the Post-Secondary Games 2012, OISA won the Spirit Trophy for the second year in a row, and ranked in second place in the inaugural PSG Cup.
In 2012, OISA’s Red Nation team raised over $800 for the World Partnership Walk, earning them first place for the most funds raised by a post-secondary team in Ottawa. The OISA Red Nation team collected over $2000 for the 2013 World Partnership Walk, earning them first place for highest funds raised by a post-secondary team for the second year in a row, in addition to the first place award for the most donations collected by a post-secondary team.
The city also offers OISA students with unique opportunities and a stimulating learning environment that does not exist anywhere else in Canada. In its current year, the OISA is striving to build new relationships with other student clubs and associations on the school campus and further strengthen the OISA community.