Centre for Newcomer Integration

Cultural News

Happy Thanksgiving!

October 5, 2017

Wishing all students a Happy Thanksgiving weekend. Don’t forget that the Language Training Centre will be closed on Monday, October 9, 2017.
Thanksgiving in Canada:
Thanksgiving is a holiday on the second Monday of October. The annual holiday is an opportunity to give thanks and celebrate the close of the harvest (farming) season.  In Canada, friends and families gather for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at this time of year which can include turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, etc.
Enjoy your weekend and surround yourself with good food and friends!

An Opportunity to Study: Could poverty be an obstacle for studying?

May 19, 2016

– An article written by Olga Pobereznichenko, Intensive English for International Students student at LTC
When people hear the phrase ‘There is a problem in Africa’, the first thing they think about is lack of food and hunger. It is hard to underestimate this issue, of course.
On April 11th, the BBC News website published a report about a huge drought in Ethiopia, Africa, caused by climate change. It means that millions of people lost access to drinking water, animals are dying, and the harvest is being destroyed and the risk of diseases is increasing.
Under such circumstances, children do not have a chance for studying. And schools, in their turn, will lose an opportunity for development and improvement, because all donations from charity organizations are used to provide help to overcome the challenges set by the drought. If you are reading this article, you probably had an opportunity to learn how to read and write. Living in a developed country, people think rarely about this great gift, such as, an opportunity to study.
On April, 9tha charity event which was titled “A Journey Back to Sedika (Ethiopia) from Winnipeg” was conducted by the speaker Samson G. Tadese. He presented about his native town and its problems, particularly educational. His goal was to attract attention and raise money which will be used for buying basic school supplies for the school in this town.

Participants of the charity dinner have traditional Ethiopian meals after the presentation.

Participants of the charity dinner have traditional Ethiopian meals after the presentation.


Firstly, there is only one secondary school in an old building in Sedika without even basic conditions for the students. Secondly, children are forced to drop out of school, because parents prefer that their children help them on the fields. As a result, children can not get full education and apply to a college to get a degree after it.
Using Sedika’s example, what can we ourselves do now? Engaging in charity work in general is one of the distinctive characteristics of the Canadian people. That is why, hopefully, one day Sedikas’ children could get a chance to graduate from school with dignity and choose other professions, besides farming.
“I believe that anyone who is in the position of being able to help others should do so,” said Adrea Pierce, a teacher at LTC. “We as Canadians are very lucky to have access to clean water and free education. We did not earn this right, but were born into it by sheer luck and we owe it to people who were not so lucky to help where we can. If everyone looked away and assumed it was someone else’s responsibility, everything would collapse.”
“In my opinion,” said Oleksii Iarosh, international student in RRC. “If you want to donate some money, you have to check all information about charity organizations and control their reports about spending money to avoid lies.”
“I believe that strangers who are able to help Ethiopian children to get an education should consider donating some of their money to such a cause,” said Christine Van Loon, LTC’s teacher. “I believe that the world is one big community and that all humans have a responsibility towards one another when help is requested.”
 
Resources: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36012217

Christmas comes faster because of the Brunch with Santa at RRC

December 24, 2015

On Saturday, December 12 Santa invited all RRC staff and their children to have a Christmas brunch with him at the Notre Dame Campus. It was a great event and everyone had lots of fun!

Some of the organizing committee

Some of the organizing committee


The Brunch with Santa event is for Red River College staff and their children. It is organized by a College committee called the “Staff Club”. The committee organizes 2-3 social events per year for College staff. The Brunch with Santa has been a popular event for several years. Parents come with their children and have a delicious breakfast. Among other entertainment and activities, each child has an opportunity to sit with Santa Claus for a few minutes and receive a special gift.
What made the event and the entertainment so special this year? I decided to ask about all the features.
“The event this year was very good. We got a lot more families than we usually had. The expectations every year is to try to make this event fun and enjoyable for families. I think we achieve this again and again and our committee and I work together to try to think and figure out what new things will be interesting and different every year. This year we had a visit from Anna and Elsa and Spiderman and we had Elsa singing a song which was very popular. Each year the program has something new; for example, last year we had The Bubble Guy for entertainment and it was amazing. We had a lot of volunteers who helped us to manage this event and we have a “Staff Club” of around 18 people who made this event happen. We started to prepare in October. To everyone we wish a happy, healthy holiday, and great times and memories with their families’’. (Janice Manson, RRC Events Coordinator)
Visit from Elsa

Visit from Elsa


“The best part was watching the children. The children were so excited. When they looked at the elves and Santa, it looked like they had seen something special and it made me feel very good. This is actually what I expected to see – the children having a lot of fun and the parents who enjoying their children. Elsa singing was something new and it was definitely great. We made this event with a committee and we had been meeting about 4 months for this. At each meeting, everyone had a job to do and we came back to the next meeting and said “OK, I have done this, this and this.” It was great team work and Janice organized this really well to make sure that every piece was done. We are a great team! This holiday season, I wish every adult would have the same kind of joy that children have.”  (Carolyn Schmidt, Language Training Centre Program Facilitator)
 
“This brunch was special. I got pretty much what I expected. I am so glad to see a lot of people and kids here. We want every year to have people come. More people came this year and we are glad. For the holidays, I wish for people to get together and have fun, not just on New Year’s Eve.”  (Megan Havens, RRC Sponsorship & Public Relations Coordinator)  
For the last two years, this event has had volunteers from the Language Training Centre. Volunteers played the role of “craft elves”. Throughout the event, the “craft elves” went to each table and helped the children make a simple Christmas craft.
“It was fun to be “craft elves” today. I like to make crafts with kids; they are very creative. I decided to participate because I like to play with kids and make decorations. To be a volunteer, it is a great opportunity for me to improve my English and speak with native
Volunteer, Fay, with the author, Kate

Volunteer, Fay, with the author, Kate


speakers. Today I had a chance to improve my English and I am glad. Thank you! I wish for everyone to be healthy and happy in the New Year.”  (Guangfen (Fay), LTC student and event volunteer)  
“I am very happy today. I am also an elf and I am so excited. This event is very useful for me because I tried to copy native speakers and speak naturally. Before I was so shy but this practice made me more confident. To everyone, I wish them to be happy.”  (JinJin, LTC student and event volunteer)
Volunteers, Clara, JinJin and Fay

Volunteers, Clara, JinJin and Fay


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
There was also a cookie decorating table. Everyone had opportunity to make and decorate cookies.
6 5
 
Some teachers from the LTC attended the event and shared with us their opinions about the Brunch with Santa.
“I liked this event more than last year. I came with my two daughters and husband; we spent a great time together. To everyone I wish to be healthy, and spend this year with their family. Have a great New Year!”  (Navnish Sidhu, ESL Instructor)
“It was definitely a super time. Everyone, even the adults, could feel that Christmas and New Year are coming. Thank you!”  (Naomi, ESL Instructor)
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Our LTC blog team wishes to everyone a Happy Christmas and Happy New Year. We hope all your Christmas dreams come true!!!
 

– Post written by Kate Alekseienko, Intensive English for International Students 

Get Ready for Winter in Winnipeg!

October 21, 2015

winter

 
 
 
 
(A free settlement workshop for immigrant and international students)
Topics will include:

  • Winter related expressions and vocabulary
  • Information on how to dress for the winter and where to shop for winter gear
  • Tips for staying healthy
  • Ideas for winter fun

Wednesday, October 28th, 12:00-12:45
Basement classroom E
Everyone is welcome!
 

Canad Inns Winter Wonderland

December 4, 2014

Lights
December 5th to January 3rd
6:00 – 10:00 PM each night
›Red River Exhibition Park (Assiniboine Downs)

  • Drive-through light show (Over one million lights in 26 displays)
  • Outdoor skating rink
  • Free sleigh rides on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

›Advance tickets: $10 family ticket (one vehicle, up to 7 people)
›Buy tickets at Mac’s, Co-op Gas, Grocery Stores, Canad Inns
›Regular price (without advance tickets): $15

Community Connections

November 7, 2014

Scroll down to read about the great opportunities that were presented at the Community Connections Club on November 6.

 

November 11 is Remembrance Dayremember

›This is a day to remember and show respect to members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have died in the line of duty since World War I.
›So that we can stop and remember their sacrifice, many stores will be closed for the morning or for the entire day. People wear a red poppy to remember the soldiers.
There will be no classes at Red River College and all offices will be closed.
Click here to find out about the Remembrance Day ceremonies and activities in Winnipeg.→

manyworldsMany Worlds Festival at The Forks Market (Centre Court)

This festival celebrates the many cultures found in Winnipeg. There is food and entertainment from around the globe.
 
 
November 8 and 9

  • 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Taste of the World (sample food from the restaurants at the Forks)
  • ›$5.00

›November 8

  • 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Dance lessons, demos and live music with Hepcat Studio (Free beginner lesson from 12:00 – 1:00)
  • Free

›November 9

  • 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Folklorama Entertainment
  • ›Free

santaclausparade

Santa Claus Parade

›Saturday, November 15
Parade starts at 5:00 p.m. (travels down Portage Avenue)
Fun for the whole family!›› Come before the parade for free activities, hot chocolate, games, etc.
›Click here to find out more about the Santa Claus Parade.→

Volunteer Opportunity: Christmas Cheer Boardcheer board

  • ›Provide food and gifts to families who cannot afford them.
  • ›Every year thousands of Winnipeggers volunteer with the Christmas Cheer Board.
  • ›Casual and regular opportunities are available.
  • Contact Jillian Hoogland (jhoogland@rrc.ca) for more information.

›immcentre

For Newcomers: Immigrant Centre

›100 Adelaide Street, Winnipeg

Community Connections

October 20, 2014

MB startCareer and Workforce Development Month at Manitoba Start

November 4 – November 27; Afternoon sessions (sessions are 2 – 2.5 hours)  
 

  • Career panels and information sessions
  • Career development
  • Canadian workplace culture
  • Opportunities for employment and career growth
  • Connections with employers
  • Finance, Accounting, Nursing, Manufacturing, Transportation and Trades, Education, Sales and Service, Information and Communications Technology and Engineering

*Visit the Manitoba Start website to register.

Computer_TrainingComputer Training at the Immigrant Centre

  • Beginner to Intermediate Computer Skills
  • Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Internet, Email, On-line Applications, Typing

*Note: You must be an Immigrant Centre client to register for this training.
Next information and registration session: Saturday, October 25, 10:30-12:00
For more information, visit the Immigrant Centre website or see Jillian Hoogland, LTC’s Student Integration Coordinator (Room 418).

houseWorkshops at New Journey Housing

  • Home ownership workshops
  • Rental workshops (October 24, 4:00 – 6:30 pm)
  • Budgeting workshops

*All workshops are free!
*Call 204-942-2238 to register.
*For more information on the workshops visit the New Journey Housing website.

gabriel-lrgVolunteer Opportunity at The Dream Factory

The Dream Factory is A Manitoba-based, charitable organization dedicated to fulfilling dreams of kids who are battling life-threatening illnesses.
The Dream Factory needs a Special Events Volunteer:

  • Casual (2 hour – all day event, approximately once a month)
  • Duties include: Setting up / cleaning up at events, manning a display booth, selling 50/50 tickets, registering guests, and much more

*For more information, visit www.volunteermanitoba.ca (opportunity ID 39) or see Jillian Hoogland, LTC’s Student Integration Coordinator (Room 418).

A Student's Experience at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights

October 20, 2014

Editor’s note:  This article was written by Olena Gerber, a recent immigrant studying Intensive EAL at the Language Training Centre. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights celebrated its opening weekend September 19-21, 2014 with guided preview tours. The Language Training Centre offered several free tickets to its students and Olena was one of the lucky winners. As a writing assignment in her class, she wrote about her experience at the Museum.

Today I was in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. I won one ticket in the afternoon at RRC. I am lucky! But the weather was not as good as I expected. It was raining.

What can I say about the Museum? As for me, I think everyone should see it! The Museum opened on September 27th, therefore a lot of exhibits were closed.
So the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is a large gallery with modern technology. The main idea of the museum is: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” The Museum includes positive and negative historical facts. On the third floor there is a huge white circle. When one person stands there, a coloured circle comes in sight around it. If more people stand on the white, the coloured circle will be bigger. This exhibit is about working together.
The Museum was built with yellow, gray and pink colored stones. There are more passages glowing inside. I am lucky in another way – I saw the Architect of this museum!
I really like this museum and I will recommend it to everyone.

– Olena Gerber, Intensive EAL student

Community Connections

October 2, 2014

involved
LTC’s first ever Community Connections Club was held on October 2. Those who were there learned about many interesting opportunities in and around Winnipeg. They left energized and excited about how they can get involved and practice their English.
If you missed it, here’s what we talked about. What can you get involved in?
(Click on any of the titles to find out more information.)

City of Winnipeg’s Career Symposium

Tuesday, October 7, 2014 – 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Winnipeg Convention Centre, 375 York Avenue (3rd floor)
*Free admission*
The City of Winnipeg is a vibrant, growing city with many opportunities! Come and learn about the wide range of careers with the City of Winnipeg, and find out more about what it is like to work for the City. See what some current City of Winnipeg employees have to say!
For students, the Symposium offers an opportunity to learn more about the education and training that is required for different City jobs. There will be interactive displays by City departments. Employees from a variety of areas will be on site to share information and answer questions about their professions and occupations.
Want to get some tips on how to prepare for an interview and create your resume and cover letter? There will be several presentations scheduled throughout the day on these topics.
The symposium is free of charge and open to everyone!
———————————-

Volunteer Manitoba Student Recruitment Event

Tuesday, October 7, 2014 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Notre Dame Campus (North Gym)
Volunteer organizations will set up booths and tables in the gym. Students will be able to meet a variety of people from the organizations and find out if the opportunity is the “right fit”.
What to bring:
*Resume (if possible)
*Names and contact information for references
*Pen / Pencil
*Positive attitude
If you cannot attend the Volunteer Recruitment Event, go to the Volunteer Manitoba website and see a list of volunteer opportunities. You will certainly find something that will fit with your skills and interests!
————————————————

Volunteer Opportunity: Leisure Buddy

Organization: Independent Living Resource Centre
Help someone with a disability to attend outings / community events
Requirements:

  • Sensitivity to / awareness of disabilities
  • Interest in exploring leisure activities
  • Must enjoy working with people
  • Criminal Records check

Benefits:

  • Practice your speaking and listening skills
  • Experience local events and festivals
  • Make new friends
  • ‘Break down’ barriers
  • Get experience working with people with disabilities (great if you’re planning on working in the healthcare / social services field)

——————————————————

RRC’s Annual Welcome Party for Immigrant and International Students

Friday, October 24th from 6:00pm to 9:00 pm
Voyageur Restaurant at the Notre Dame Campus
For Immigrant and International students, staff, friends and family
As we are celebrating diversity, we welcome you to share your traditions and come dressed in cultural clothing, and dressed for a party! Please bring a donation of non-perishable food items (canned food) for the RRC Student Food Bank. This is a College-wide and family friendly event; everyone is welcome to bring family, children and friends.
This year’s party features live music and entertainment including performances by Caribbean Band, Rockalypso, African drummer, Evans Coffie and Cuban dance group, Yoslai de la Rosa. Take part in fun activities for children including arts and crafts, face painting and balloons. Participate in educational games and cultural teachings brought to you by RRC’s Aboriginal Student Support and Community Liaison Department. Enjoy lots of dancing and sample global cuisine.
*Please register by Friday, October 17th. To register, please visit the on-line registration: http://blogs.rrc.ca/diversity/welcomeparty/
If you have any questions please contact Student Integration Coordinator, Lauren Konrad.
Phone: 204-631-3345 Email: lkonrad@rrc.ca
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The Forks Market 25th Birthday Celebrations

October 4,2014; 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Centre Court, The Forks Market
October 4th marks the 25th anniversary of The Forks, and The Forks Market. Celebrate with a full line up of entertainment and of course birthday cake!
*Free and fun for the whole family!
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RRC Polytech > Centre for Newcomer Integration > News > Cultural News

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.

Learn more ›