As we celebrate Welcoming Week at RRC Polytech, I’m reminded of the power of community and the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels they belong. Welcoming is not just a gesture—it’s about building lasting relationships and showing that no matter where you come from, you have a place here.

At RRC Polytech, we’re proud to be part of a diverse, vibrant community that continues to grow stronger as we welcome students from across Canada and around the world. Our goal is to provide an environment that supports your growth, not just academically, but personally. For many newcomers, stepping into a new place can be daunting, but it’s within these shared spaces that connections are made, opportunities are created, and transformation begins.

As someone who has worked to strengthen relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, through the Treaty relationship, I believe that creating welcoming spaces goes beyond making people feel comfortable—it’s about ensuring that each person can bring their whole self into the room. We need to ensure that this environment honours where people come from and supports who they are becoming.

I’d also like to tie this message to something I hold close: the importance of understanding our shared histories. As we prepare for Truth and Reconciliation Week, it’s essential to recognize that welcoming is about acknowledging the past and moving forward together. Our shared journey as a country offers us the opportunity to build a more inclusive and respectful future. Education plays a vital role in this process—not only as a tool for learning but as a way to foster healing, growth, and mutual understanding. By embracing these opportunities, we can create spaces that honour our histories while paving the way for a brighter, more unified tomorrow.

Welcoming Week is an opportunity to build bridges—between communities, between cultures, and between people. Let’s continue to work together, fostering an environment where every student feels supported and valued, and where the act of welcoming is just the beginning of their journey. Treaty 1 historian Dr. Jean Friesen says it best when she says Treaties are “enduring relationships that lead to mutual obligations.” This will carry over to a better understanding of Canada.

Thank you to everyone who has made this week special. Let’s carry forward this spirit of inclusion, learning, and community as we move ahead together.

Ekosi,

Jamie Wilson
Vice-President, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development
RRC Polytech