RRC Polytech encourages all staff, students and community members to take a stand against bullying.

Pink Shirt Day began in 2007 in Nova Scotia when a grade 9 boy was bullied for wearing a pink shirt.

Two of his classmates organized a schoolwide protest, asking all students, teachers and staff to wear pink in solidarity and to demonstrate there is no place for bullying.

Pink Shirt Day’s mission is to create a more kind, inclusive world by raising awareness and funds for anti-bullying initiatives.

According to the Canadian Red Cross, more than half of bullying incidents stop within 10 seconds when a bystander steps in. 

#LiftEachOtherUp and take a stand against bullying by submitting a photo of yourself wearing a pink shirt

Submit your 2023 Pink Shirt Day photo here

Anti-bullying messages

“As someone who experienced bullying, I recognize the importance of taking the path to #LiftEachOtherUp as opposed to tearing one another down. A little kindness goes a long way – you never know what others are going through.”

Breanne Lucky, Staff

“It’s crucial to make a firm stance against bullying because all of us have the right to live in a warm and peaceful community.”

Claire May Tuazon, Student

“Life is hard, but it’s up to all of us to make it better.”

Lauren Dominici, Staff

“Psychological safety will create a better world.”

Yuyan Tian, Student

“The World needs to be a safe and happy place for all”

Robin (Staff) and Oliver

Respectful College – Onling Training

RRC Polytech has developed a course called Respectful College to support our commitment to a safe and inclusive working and learning environment where everyone is entitled to be free from bullying, harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence.

The Respectful College course is available to all staff and students and takes about two hours to complete. Staff and students who complete the full training, including learning activities, will be eligible to print a Certificate of Completion.

Login to LEARN to complete the course.

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities, who have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity. Throughout February we will be highlighting and sharing the stories of Black staff, students, members of our Board of Governors as well as alumni. Stay tuned to the Diversity blog and RRC Polytech’s social media to learn more about members of our College community

Phyllis Reid-Jarvis, Board of Governors, RRC Polytech

The Journey

Phyllis Reid-Jarvis (she/her) MPH, PCC, CEO/Founder of Ultimate Potentials Corporation.

My work at Ultimate Potentials Corporation as a leadership and talent development consultant focuses on helping leaders see where change needs to occur. I work with leaders to support their organizations in achieving workplaces designed for all employees to thrive.  With over 25 years of combined experience in health, leadership, talent development, and social justice, I help leaders create transformative, diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces.

My professional journey has been filled with varying experiences, and now, looking back, all have prepared me well for where I am today. The word circuitous best describes my career path. It began at Mico Teachers’ College in Kingston, Jamaica, where I started training preparations to be a science teacher. Alas, this was interrupted when I immigrated to Manitoba with my parents in 1985.

I continued with my education upon arriving in Manitoba. I decided to switch career paths to pursue becoming a Registered Dietitian, a career in which I worked for almost twenty years. Despite having significant success as a Registered Dietitian, it was fraught with many barriers of exclusion and a need for more available and culturally-appropriate mentoring and support to help understand the Canadian culture and its practices of professionalism.  Highlights of my career as a Registered Dietitian include publishing two books on Solutions for health, working with CBC Radio as a health columnist on a weekly show, Food for Thought, representing Dietitians of Canada in Granada, Spain as a speaker at the annual International Congress of Dietetics and member of Breakfast for Learning Canada Board of Governors.

Importance of Representation

I arrived in Manitoba to discover that I was Black. Coming from a culture where one identifies with their country of origin, I was taken aback by ‘others’ need to reduce me to the superficiality of the colour of my skin! The silent racism below the surface of friendly Manitoba struck me. 

I am reminded of how the abuse of power and authority by one of my professors in my 4^th year at University was intended to deny me representation. I was getting A’s and high B+’s in most of my courses and was a recipient of the Alumni Association award for high-grade point average, but I  could only seem to get a low B at best from this professor.

I needed appropriate references to pursue my career as a Registered Dietitian, among other criteria for acceptance into the program. I booked an appointment to ask this professor if she would stand as a referee. Without skipping a beat, she said, “sure, but I don’t think you would like what I have to say.”I asked, “what do you mean?” She looked me in the eye and said, “We don’t want your kind in our program.” Again, I asked, “what do you mean?” She held her arm up and ran her fingers back and forth over it. It took me a few seconds to grasp the meaning of her gesture. I asked, “do you mean because my skin is black?” She folded her arms and leaned back in her chair. The meeting was over. This experience is one of many but is the most blatant form of denial of representation.

I am fortunate to belong to a family and community that taught me early in life to be proud of who I am and not to conform to society’s ideals of whom they think I should be. I use this to transform barriers into opportunities. This is a crucial mindset I continue to use today and teach, coach and mentor others to adopt as a transformative tool.

Contributions to the Board of Governors

My varied experience over the years helped shape what I bring to the table as a member of the Board of Governors at RRC Polytech. My lived experience and professional experience more than equip me to support RRC Polytech in achieving its strategic priorities. This is seen particularly around RRC Polytech’s commitments to talent development for the Province, the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s ( TRC) calls to action regarding Indigenous education and representation, and the pursuit to achieve Equity, Diversity and Inclusion by removing barriers to access and representation for equity-seeking Manitobans (persons who self-identify as a Person of colour, Asian, African, Caribbean, or African/Caribbean or Black) and marginalized Manitobans (Persons with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+).

I believe deeply in RRC Polytech’s commitment to its strategic priorities. I am honoured to be among fellow volunteers, students and staff who are also deeply committed to realizing RRC Polytech’s strategic priorities. 

Aspirations

I do this work because I know it’s important for everyone to be included, supported and recognized. I want to normalize these actions and make this known to fellow Manitobans. I will know we are successful when as Manitobans, we no longer are governed by blatant or worse, silent racism in our communities, workplaces and learning institutions. Success is realized when the TRC’s calls to action are fully implemented. When marginalized Manitobans (Persons with disabilities, members of 2SLGBTQIA+) and equity-seeking Manitobans (persons who self-identify as persons of colour, Asian, African, Caribbean, or African/Caribbean or Black) share 100% freedom, just like their white Canadian brothers and sisters.

“ We do not need first to be perfect before we can do what is right and just.” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Nigerian author and activist.

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities, who have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity. Throughout February we will be highlighting and sharing the stories of Black staff, students, members of our Board of Governors as well as alumni. Stay tuned to the Diversity blog and RRC Polytech’s social media to learn more about members of our College community.

Raymond Ngarbou, 2008 graduate, Community Development/Community Economic Development, RRC Polytech

Reposted from December 13, 2021

Raymond Ngarboui has a good reason for being late to a scheduled appointment at the Rainbow Community Garden on a recent August afternoon.

Within sight of IG Field at the University of Manitoba, the Garden is a place where families new to Canada are able to plant, tend, and harvest their own crops.

Among those waiting for Ngarboui is a group of students from Gordon Bell High School who have summer jobs on the Green Team, an employment program he manages in his capacity as a Community Development Coordinator for the Community Education Development Association (CEDA).

Not surprisingly, all eyes are on Ngarboui as he pulls up. With his easygoing manner, he has the full attention of the students. After speaking with them, he has time to sit down and talk about his career in community development.

To read more, click here.

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities, who have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity. Throughout February we will be highlighting and sharing the stories of Black staff, students, members of our Board of Governors as well as alumni. Stay tuned to the Diversity blog and RRC Polytech’s social media to learn more about members of our College community.

Omolara Adewuyi, Project Manager, RRC Polytech

What is your current role/occupation and what path/journey did you take to get to where you are today?

I am currently a Project Manager at Red River College. I am an alumnus of Red River College. I worked at Loblaw for five years as a Financial Analyst. At Loblaw, I worked in various departments, handled accounts reconciliation and reporting, led various process automation and improvements, met firm deadlines, supported the team to develop strategies to resolve cases in the client’s best interest whilst adhering to the Company’s policies and procedures, and was an excellent team player. I love volunteering. I held various positions in different clubs & committees. Eg Toastmasters, Equity and diversity committee. Etc.

Have you had any struggles in your career, and if so, how did you transform them into growth or success?

Whenever I am faced with difficulty, I resolve to use one or the other approach such as: Taking a break, going on a walk, going around the city on the bus (if time permits), and closing my eyes for at least 5 minutes. Then I start by identifying the challenge, asking for assistance, and maintaining an optimistic attitude toward my performance at work. These essential steps have helped me to become a hardworking, positive-minded, and motivated person who is not afraid of challenges. Most importantly, I have a seek-to-understand mindset and not a judgmental one.

What, if any, are challenges that affected you as a Black person in your career?

Personally, I have not faced discrimination or racism in the workplace. It may simply be that I refuse to identify any challenge as racism. Diversity in the workplace is a welcome development that can be improved upon with time. Many employees feel hopeless because they are afraid to put their job on the line to speak out against discrimination, so I think it is crucial to have open conversations about racial and gender bias.

Why is representation important to you and what does it mean for you?

Representation is vital because it creates a space where everyone can be seen and heard. People from different backgrounds will have various viewpoints thereby creating multiple ideas. We will be able to identify problems/ challenges from various angles and have better results. Seeing a person of color as a CEO or a Manager or in a top management position gives me hope and motivates me to put in more effort knowing that everyone is fairly treated and recognized.

How does your lived experience shape what you bring to the table in your role/occupation?

I have acquired a wide range of skills and experience that have given me the ability to bring positivity, a creative approach to solving problems, and the determination to always add value in any position. I am always willing to learn from experienced members of the company and be a positive role model to all my colleagues.

Anything else you would like to say or add?

I am grateful for this opportunity to share my experience and the lessons I have learned throughout my career. I hope to impact everyone positively.

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities, who have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity. Throughout February we will be highlighting and sharing the stories of Black staff, students, members of our Board of Governors as well as alumni. Stay tuned to the Diversity blog and RRC Polytech’s social media to learn more about members of our College community.

Gbolahan Olutayo Oduntan, Board of Governors, RRC Polytech

Gbolahan Olutayo Oduntan is Nigerian-Canadian professional who is passionate about, and specializes in helping small and large companies optimize their processes with the aim of resolving business challenges. He works with one of the major insurance companies in Canada; Canada Life, where he deploys his expertise processing, analyzing and renewing policies in the same organization. He serves as a member of the Board of Governors of the Red River College, Manitoba Canada. 

Gbolahan is also the founder and C.E.O of a non-profit organization known as STO Global Concept Incorporated, in Manitoba. STO Global Concept Inc. and her partners reach out to the needy in the community, by supplying them food and clothing for free. They do this with funds raised through periodically-held charity concerts organized for this purpose. They also collaborate with other humanitarian organizations such as Siloam Mission, Harvest Manitoba and others, to alleviate the burden of hunger amongst the less-privileged living in Manitoba, Canada.

Born in Nigeria, Gbolahan had his basic education in the South-Western part of the country. He then proceeded to acquire a Higher National Diploma certification in Accountancy from Kwara State Polytechnic, Nigeria.  Thereafter, he enrolled for a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Plymouth University, United Kingdom, and concluded this in the year 2014.

Before relocating to Canada, Gbolahan had extensive exposure in both private and public service in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. In Nigeria, he worked in LASACO Assurance; a public-owned Insurance Company. While in the United Kingdom, he worked with TESCO PLC, one of the leading multinational retailer stores. In all these places, his business acumen and professionalism earned him laurels as a man who goes above and beyond the call of duty. He also had eight years of public service in Nigeria, serving as a legislator in Surulere Local Government Area, Lagos State.

Upon arrival in Canada in April 2016 with great hopes and expectations, he began his integration process by attending Manitoba Start and Success Skills New-comers program, after which he began his job search. Several efforts to get a job based on his skills and educational qualifications all proved abortive as most of the feedbacks he got from employers included: No Canadian work experience, he’s got an accent; you are over qualified, etc.

Determined Gbolahan did not allow the limitating and frustrating remarks discourage him, rather he took up a transition job, enrolled for a course at the Red River College and continued his job search and contributions to community development by volunteering with some Non-for-profit organizations.

Whilst combining his transition job with studies at the Red River College, he found an opportunity to volunteer as an Administrative Assistant with Canada Life thereby combining transition job with studies. This was very demanding and challenging as Gbolahan hardly has 5 hours sleep on daily basis.  

Due to his unrelenting efforts, dedication and commitment to work, he later got an offer for the position of Underwriting Assistant with Canada Life where he has continued to deploy his experiences and knowledge to the growth of the organization. 

As a person of color, Gbolahan has had a fair share of the stereotype that an average person of color goes through: for example getting comments such as “I never knew you could speak good English, You are too qualified for this position, Where are you from” etc.  However, in-spite of these stigmas and profiling, Gbolahan’s humanitarian nature continued to compel him to reach out to communities, the homeless, the depressed, and the broken-hearted, under the umbrella of STO Global Concept Inc. a Not-for-Profit initiative established by him.

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities, who have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity. Throughout February we will be highlighting and sharing the stories of Black staff, students, members of our Board of Governors as well as alumni. Stay tuned to the Diversity blog and RRC Polytech’s social media to learn more about members of our College community.

Tanya Hansen Pratt, CET, Instructor, Mechanical Engineering Technology at RRC Polytech

I began working as an instructor at RRC Polytech in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program in 2021, the same program I graduated from many years ago. I have worked in the HVAC industry for over 20 years, initially in technical sales, then I transitioned into application engineering, design engineering, technical writing and marketing. This industry experience eventually brought me full circle back to where my career as a technologist began.

As an engineering technologist, I’ve always worked in male-dominated spaces with very little diversity. I spent many years of my career before coming to RRC Polytech being the only woman and only person of colour in my department. My lived experience has always been vastly different from that of my coworkers. I am reminded daily of my female-blackness, whereas their male-whiteness rarely crosses their minds. Microagressions, sexism, and racism have been common occurrences in my life, so I’ve learned to navigate the world as a person who is constantly othered.

Representation makes all the difference to someone like me. It’s so much easier to walk in a space when I know I’m not going to be stared at or judged: I can just be myself. I once combed out my locs and straightened my hair for a job interview because I knew my natural hair might be frowned upon in a conservative engineering department. I did get the job and when I put my locs back in (when my probation period was over), another black woman who worked there told me she loved my hair and decided to stop straightening her hair and wear it naturally, too! Representation matters.

In some small ways, I think I’ve turned my life experience into an advantage. I can read a room instantly and I’m quick to read facial expressions and body language. I’m used to working hard because people often underestimate me. I recently attended an event and, as often happens during introductions and small talk, we began discussing what we did for a living. I was asked by a gentleman at the table how I managed to get a job as an instructor. He was absolutely convinced that I couldn’t have been qualified and must have been used to fill a quota. He repeated his beliefs to me in front of several others who remained silent throughout the conversation. He made assumptions about me based on the colour of my skin, and the people at the table remained silent – and complicit. Being underestimated makes me dig in my heels and work hard to prove them wrong.

As an instructor, I hope my presence as a woman of colour does two things: First, I hope I can add to the diversity of thought and experience among the staff at the college to provide the best possible education for our increasingly diverse student body. Secondly, I hope my presence gives our students permission to be their authentic selves. There is someone out there, maybe in my classroom or maybe someone thinking about attending RRC Polytech, that sees me and sees a little bit of themselves, and it helps them stand taller and stronger knowing that someone else has walked the path in front of them and made it a little safer to follow along exactly as they are.

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities, who have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity. You can learn more about Black history in Canada on the Government of Canada website.

Black History Month at RRC Polytech

Throughout the month, the College will be highlighting and sharing some personal stories from Black staff, students, alumni and members of our Board of Governors. Stay tuned to the Diversity blog and RRC Polytech’s social media!

Library & Academic Services has created the Anti-Black Racism Learning Toolkit to help everyone better understand racism and how to take action against it.

The Anti-Racism Committee is partnering with Library and Academic Services to host a “Book Tasting” event.

• Exchange District Campus: Library; February 27, 11 am – 1 pm
• Notre Dame Campus: Active Learning Classroom (CM27) in the Library; February 28, 11 am – 1 pm

What is a book tasting? Just as you might try little bites or samples of food, a book tasting provides an opportunity to sample books that have been selected in spirit of celebrating Black History Month. Select a menu item that interests you in our faux restaurant setting, read the summary on the back, the first few pages, or even just the critical acclaim.

During the event, staff and students will have the opportunity to check out books written by Black Canadian authors. The Anti-Racism Committee will also be launching a Social Justice Book Club soon, more details about this event will be shared soon.

RRC Polytech staff and students are invited to join the Anti-Racism Committee for the final presentation of a four-part virtual speaker series featuring champions of equity, diversity, and inclusion accompanied by a moderated panel discussion designed to inspire change. This online event will be held on February 8, 12-1pm, over Zoom. The keynote speaker is Dr. Danièle Behn Smith. Read more and register here.

All students, faculty, and staff are also invited to attend a series of Anti-Racism educational workshops, either in person in the Connected Classroom (G139) at Notre Dame Campus or online. Through the workshops, critical concepts of race and racism will be unpacked for participants as contextualized in Canadian history and society. From this learning, participants will have a clear understanding of how racism operates and be provided with some initial strategies for taking an active role to eliminate barriers to access and equity.

Staff are encouraged to complete the Anti-Racism training on LEARN this month, if you haven’t already. The course speaks to unconscious bias, microaggressions, systemic racism, and privilege and purposefully challenges our staff to act when confronted with racism or discrimination, to create safe learning and working environments for all.

As we celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians, we also recognize the importance of equity and inclusion beyond the month of February. At RRC Polytech, we are committed to pursuing equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do, year-round.

Additional Resources:

• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) Resources has created a commemoration guide for Black History Month that RRC Polytech employees can use to celebrate and recognize the diverse experiences of Black Canadians: Commemoration Guide (PDF).
• CCDI is also hosting a free, live webinar for its employee partners on February 9, Black History Month: Unlearning Anti-Black Racism (Staff only; login required)
• CCDI past recording (no login required) Addressing Anti-Black Racism in the Workplace
• CCDI past recording (no login required) History of race and racism in Canada
• CCDI Educational resources on racism and anti-Black racism
• Winnipeg Public Library: Black History Month
• Black History Manitoba
• CBC’s Black on the Prairies
• National Film Board of Canada: Journey to Justice
• Government of Canada: Noteworthy Historical Figures  
• CBC’s “The Secret Life of Canada” podcast: Crash Course on Black Nurses

If you have any questions, please contact us at diversity@rrc.ca.

You’re Invited – Addressing Structural Racism in Canada’s Healthcare System – Featured Expert and Virtual Panel Discussion

Health and healing, both mental and physical can present major challenges for Indigenous people and others in marginalized groups to work, learn and thrive. One of the areas that Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission identified to address in its 94 Calls to Action is Health. The effects of generations of trauma continue to be passed down in these communities and barriers caused by systemic or structural racism is resulting in a significant gap in health outcomes for Indigenous people across Canada.

Join RRC Polytech’s Anti-Racism Committee for the final presentation of a four-part virtual speaker series featuring champions of equity, diversity, and inclusion accompanied by a moderated panel discussion designed to inspire change.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Danièle Behn Smith. As B.C.’s Deputy Provincial Health Officer – Indigenous Health, she works alongside Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry to provide independent advice and support to the Ministry of Health to advance the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples and truth and reconciliation. 

Dr. Behn Smith is Eh Cho Dene (Big Animal People) of the Fort Nelson First Nation in B.C. with French Canadian/Métis roots in the Red River Valley. As both a physician and health leader, her work recognizes self-determination as the foundation of health and wellness among First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, and the importance of Indigenous approaches and healing systems.

She advocates for upholding the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples by illuminating and arresting the ways in which inherited ideologies of white supremacy and racism insidiously show up in everyday public health practices, policies, and approaches.  

Following her 20–25-minute presentation addressing structural racism in Canada’s healthcare system – Titi Tijani, President of African Communities of Manitoba Incorporated will join the discussion to add her perspective, further the conversation, and respond to questions from the audience.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2023 

Time: Noon – 1pm

Host: RRC Polytech’s Anti-Racism Committee via ZOOM

Moderator: Ginger Arnold, Instructor, Social Innovation and Community Development

Click to Register

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. If you require any accommodations, please contact kmichie@rrc.ca. For all other questions, please contact diversity@rrc.ca.

If you have technical difficulties when logging on to this Zoom event, please contact kmichie@rrc.ca or text 204-299-8000. 

Full Bios:

As a leader, internationally educated teacher, and activist, with over 25 years of experience in community development, Titi Tijani is a pillar in the African Community. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Ecology from University of Manitoba; and Certificates in Education, Community Leadership, NVCI Trainer and Conflict Resolution.  She has worked with Manitoba Housing, in Tenant Services since 1998 and currently as Director of Support Services.

Titi has volunteered in the African community for over 25 years, supporting the integration of newcomer women and their families.  As the President of African Communities of Manitoba Inc. (ACOMI) since 2017, Titi supports the African ethno cultural community organizations build and develop capacity to support their membership; preserve and promote African culture and heritage and promote cultural understanding in Manitoba. 

Her career in social services, education and her volunteer work with organizations like the Okin International Club of Canada (OICC), African Communities of Manitoba Inc., Manitoba Lung Association, Central Youth Justice Committee, Nigerian Association of Manitoba, the Black Community Collective and the Police Accountability Coalition have allowed her to advocate and support thousands of community members and organizations in their pursuit of building a more diverse, sustainable, and equitable Manitoba. 

It is for these reasons that Titi has been recognized by the Spirit of a Community Builder Award, the Premier’s Volunteer Service Award Certificate of Recognition, one of 100 most fascinating Manitobans in 2020, Manitoba Honour 150, Mayor’s Volunteer Service Award.in 2021 and most recently as a recipient of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Community Leadership Award in 2022.

Effective October 13, 2015, Dr. Danièle Behn Smith has been appointed as the province’s aboriginal health physician advisor.

Dr. Behn Smith works alongside, Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer. Dr. Behn Smith provides independent advice and support to the Ministry of Health on First Nations and Aboriginal health issues. In support of the Ministry’s strategic agenda, Dr. Behn Smith focuses on closing the gap in health outcomes between First Nations and other British Columbians.

Dr. Behn Smith is Eh Cho Dene (Big Animal People) of the Fort Nelson First Nation in B.C. with French Canadian/Métis roots in the Red River Valley. Since getting her Doctor of Medicine from McMaster University and completing residencies at the universities of Ottawa and Manitoba, Dr. Behn Smith’s career has spanned the country and the globe.

She has practiced rural medicine in remote communities across Canada and is currently a family physician at Tse’wulhtun Health Center in the Cowichan Valley. She was a board director for the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, the director of education for the University of Alberta’s Indigenous Health Initiatives Program and the site director of the University of British Columbia’s Aboriginal Family practice residency.

Dr. Behn-Smith was also the host of “Medicine Woman”, a 13-episode television series which explored traditional healing practices in ten countries on six continents.

The following post was written by Scott Best, who graduated from RRC Polytech’s Creative Communications program in 2015. During his time at the College, Scott engaged with the Student Accessibility Services department to access tools and equipment which helped him successfully complete his program and move into a fulfilling career.

World Braille Day was Jan. 4, 2023. I’m completely blind, and I’ve been a Braille user since I was five years old. I don’t use it as much as I did back in elementary school, but just like printing and handwriting for sighted people, Braille is still very important. If technology breaks down, I still have a low-tech backup.

The Beginning

I learned to write in Braille on a Perkins Brailler that would punch out the dots on heavy paper, and my educational assistants would transcribe the print words above my Braille ones. By the time I became a student in the Creative Communications Program at Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech), I still used Braille, but as more of a companion to technology.

My College Experience

At RRC Polytech, I used a screen reading program (and still do) called JAWS for Windows to do most of my computer work that didn’t involve Braille. However, it was important for me to use Braille for taking notes, so I could be aware of what I was writing without disturbing my fellow students and my instructors.

In class, I used a braille note-taker called a Braille Sense, which is a laptop with no screen and a Braille display at the bottom. This was also how I did most of my assignments.

I used my Braille Sense for my assignments, rather than just a screen reader, so I could proofread my work. Proofreading in Braille was extremely important because in Creative Communications, we would automatically fail an assignment if we spelled names or other specific things wrong.

Once I had written one or two drafts of my assignments, I would eventually transfer them to a regular computer with JAWS, so I could format them properly and either print them in traditional print or email them to my instructors. I was able to prepare the assignments in a way that worked for me and give them to my instructors in a way that worked for them. It was really the best of both worlds.

I would receive my books and assignment handouts in electronic format, which was far faster, more efficient and took up less space than Braille. However, I could put the material on my Braille Sense if I wanted to access any of it in Braille. That was also the best of both worlds.

We had to do a lot of reading out loud in Creative communications, so the college allowed me to use Braille Translation software called Duxbury Braille Translator and a Braille embosser so I could emboss things like newscasts or ad copy that I needed to read in class or use for audio production assignments.

It was possible to read out loud using the Braille display on my Braille Sense, but because you had to refresh the display as you read, it was a lot harder to read out loud and sound smooth and natural.

Through it all, the College’s Accessibility Services was a huge help to me. They gave me everything I needed to be successful as a student and never questioned the accommodations I asked for.

After RRC Polytech

Today, I use Braille in much the same way as I did at RRC Polytech. I’m a writer and an editor for the provincial government, where I edit documents for the public to make sure they conform to government style and are written in plain language. I use my screen reader almost exclusively for that work, but I do use Braille a lot for my volunteer work.

On evenings and weekends, I work as a volunteer radio host for a terrestrial and an Internet radio station. I use my braille Sense to make up my playlists and notes about the songs and artists I play.

Technology has progressed so that I can now connect my iPhone to my Braille Sense and access almost anything on the phone using its voiceover feature or the Braille Sense’s Braille display. No matter how advanced technology gets, I’m glad that I learned Braille. It was the basis for everything else and certainly deserves to be celebrated every year around the world.

Do you have a genuine interest and curiosity to learn about other cultures? Are you excited to share your own culture with others and willing to have insightful conversations about life experiences and perspectives? Do you enjoy being able to explore all that Winnipeg has to offer?

The Intercultural Partnership Program is looking for individuals just like you to take part in a cross-cultural volunteer experience this term. The program is a fun experience and truly makes a difference in the lives of local and global partners. Staff can participate and/or promote this program in their classrooms.

This partnership program matches Global Partners (immigrant or international students) with Local Partners (anyone with 1+ years of experience in Canada) for a fun and rewarding intercultural experience! 
  
It’s a fun way to explore Winnipeg, make new friends, get involved in campus life, and develop valuable intercultural communication skills. Free tickets to events and activities are part of this program. 
  
The volunteer commitment is a total of 10 hours of time from February to March. Your commitment includes a 1-hour orientation meeting, 7 hours of partner meeting time, and the completion of a final survey. Once you finish, you will receive a Certificate of Participation and a reference letter upon request. 
  
Two $1,000 Awards are available for partnerships that embrace the spirit of Partnership! 
  
Visit our website: https://www.rrc.ca/diversity/partnerships-awards/partnership/. The deadline for winter applications is Friday, January 20th.
  
For more information, please get in touch with Lauren Dominici, Partnership Program Coordinator at 204.632.2317 or imp@rrc.ca