We know that diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and its fullness is only realized when injustices and inequalities are challenged by people standing up, speaking out, and pushing back against racism in all its forms.

Our goal in the RRC Polytech community is to transform our culture and institution where anti-racism guides our leadership, policies, and actions.

The journey of Anti-Racism finds folks on many different paths, or some are not sure which direction to take. Open to RRC Polytech students, faculty, and staff, a series of Anti-Racism educational workshops are set to take place this Winter 2023 term. 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.

The workshops will occur at the Connected Classroom Studio (G139) on the Notre Dame Campus. All events will occur from 12:00-13:00 unless otherwise noted. On-campus registration is limited to 50 participants. Online participants will receive a link to access the event’s live stream. For accessibility purposes, an ASL interpreter will be hosted at the live event and captured in the video recordings for anyone requiring interpretation.

Please use the links below for registration purposes, both for on-campus and online registrants.

As we have navigated our family upbringing, schooling, and personal relationships, in different sociocultural contexts, we may have learned and understood gender and sexual diversity, and the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-identified, Queer, Intersex, Asexual/Ally, + – All sexual and gender minorities) in different ways.

This workshop provides some history and fundamental awareness to support gender and sexual diversity and develop basic allyship practices for access, equity, and inclusion of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. With this training, we will uncover the assumptions about and the barriers facing the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, contextualize the rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and provide support in developing strategies to respond supportively to disclosure and include personal pronouns in everyday life.

All on-campus participants will be provided snacks and beverages, along with a chance to win a door prize! Register today for your chance to win!

Date: Wednesday, January 11^th, 2023
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Central Time – US & Canada
Location: Connected Classroom, Emerging Media and Production Studios – access Mall level, heading toward North Gym
Campus: Notre Dame Campus + Online access

Click here to register for the workshop

This on-campus workshop is offered in the Connected Classroom at the Notre Dame Campus. Students and faculty can register in advance for a seat in the Connected Classroom, but space is limited to 50 participants. To increase access to these workshops, Emerging Media and Production is live-streaming each workshop through Webex for any registered online participants. A content recording will also be available after the event for students and instructors to access, and audience discussions will be edited out of the recording to respect the brave conversations of participants. 

This September, RRC Polytech launched the Diversity Counts on Our Campuses survey that encouraged employees and staff to complete a Diversity Self-Identification Survey and self-identify as belonging to one or more designated equity-deserving groups.

At RRC Polytech we recognize that diversity is one of our greatest strengths. The Diversity Self-Identification Survey helps us better understand the representation of equity-deserving groups on our campuses and allows us to use this data to assess our current EDI initiatives, programs and policies and make meaningful progress towards our shared priorities.

We’re pleased to share the 2022 participation rates from the survey are:

• Employee Participation: 27%
• Student Participation: 8%

The participate rates reflect those employees and students who took the time to complete the survey and either submit a new declaration; or modify an existing declaration. Further to the data collected through this and survey and declarations upon hire, we currently have an overall employee participation rate of 92% since 2019. This gives us meaningful and representative data to work with.

We are currently analyzing the survey data. Stay tuned to the Diversity blog as we will share further results at the beginning of 2023.

If you didn’t have an opportunity to complete a self-identification survey yet, you still can! The Diversity Self-Identification Survey is always open. Everyone is encouraged to complete the survey, even if you do not identify with the five designated equity-deserving groups or have previously self-identified. In order to get the most accurate picture of our College community and inform future EDI initiatives, programs and policies, it’s beneficial for everyone to make their voices heard and representation known by self-identifying.

Click here to self-identify.

Gender and Sexual Diversity Awareness Workshop #1 – Understanding Gender and Sexual Diversity

As we have navigated our family upbringing, schooling, and personal relationships in different socio-cultural contexts, we may have learned and understood gender and sexual diversity, and the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-identified, Queer, Intersex, Asexual/Ally, + – All sexual and gender minorities), in different ways. 

This introductory workshop aims to update our framework and terminology around gender and sexual diversity, as well as expand our understanding and advocacy. 

All on-campus participants will be provided snacks and beverages, along with a chance to win a door prize! Register today for your chance to win!

Date: Wednesday, December 7^th, 2022
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Central Time – US & Canada
Location: Connected Classroom, Emerging Media and Production Studios – access Mall level, heading toward North Gym
Campus: Notre Dame Campus + Online access

Click here to register for the workshop

This on-campus workshop is offered in the Connected Classroom at the Notre Dame Campus. Students and faculty can register in advance for a seat in the Connected Classroom, but space is limited to 50 participants. To increase access to these workshops, Emerging Media and Production is live-streaming each workshop through Webex for any registered online participants. A content recording will also be available after the event for students and instructors to access, and audience discussions will be edited out of the recording to respect the brave conversations of participants.

Next workshop: Gender and Sexual Diversity Awareness: Uncovering Assumptions and Barriers, Wednesday, January 11, 2023 (12-1pm)

The United Nations General Assembly observes December 3 as International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) to raise an understanding of disability issues, and foster support for the rights, dignity and well-being of persons with disabilities.  This year’s theme “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world”, focuses on the theme of innovation and solutions that promote inclusive development.

The Manitoba Accessibility Office & Manitoba Employment Equity Practitioners Association (MEEPA) are co-hosting a free webinar to celebrate IDPD 2022, which will provide an overview of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) followed by a panel discussion on topics that include accessibility, employment, healthcare and equal representation before the law.

Date: Thursday, December 1 | 2:00 – 3:30pm

Link to register:  IDPD 2022: UN CRPD  

Red River College Polytechnic is committed to continuing its work to remove barriers in post-secondary education, and to promote access and participation in all aspects and activities of the College. The College believes in inclusion, and will continue our work to meet, and exceed where possible, the mandate of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA). The following are some of the plans and supports we currently have at the College:

• Accessibility at RRC Polytech 
• Supportive Employment 
• Student Accessibility Services 

Here are some additional resources to increase awareness about IDPD and to support fostering an accessible and inclusive learning and work environment.

• CCDI International Day of Persons with Disabilities Commemorative Guide
• Becoming Agents of Change in a New World of Work DEAM (Webinar Recording, hosted by Canadian Association for Supported Employment)
• The Manitoba Accessibility Office helps implement The Accessibility for Manitobans Act and has developed a variety of resources and online training to learn more about the accessibility standards for:
  • Accessible Customer Service                                                                                                
  • Accessible Employment
  • Accessible Information and Communications

RRC Polytech is committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming, supportive and respectful of the dignity and independence of people with disabilities and will continue to identify and implement strategies to ensure that individuals in the College community have equal opportunity to achieve their employment and educational goals.

 If you have any questions or feedback, please email diversity@rrc.ca

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

Keynote speaker, Laurelle Harris, Founder, CEO and Principal Consultant at Equitable Solutions leads a discussion on ways systemic racism and ableism in combination can present in workplaces and educational settings and offers advice on how to address it.

Watch the recording.

Content warning: graphic content

November 20^th is not just another day in the year. It’s a day to take the time to remember people in the transgender community who are no longer here. A day to mourn the lives that were lost, and to acknowledge trans friends and family members who went with voices loud and proud. November 20^th isn’t just another day; it is Trans Day of Remembrance.

Canada has been no stranger to violence or hate of trans people. In fact, transgender people aged 15 and up are more likely to experience violence, discrimination, and inappropriate behaviors than their cisgender counterparts. Additionally, more than 80% of people who identify as transgender reported negative mental health, compared to 11% of cisgender individuals. The unfortunate reality is that transgender individuals are more likely to face repression and opposition wherever they go.

Canada is home to many people who identify as transgender, and through the struggles they have faced, they and those who followed in the cause were able to promote a positive space and set the path for the future. The Gender and Sexual Identities Working Group would like to highlight the following trans activists. Though they are no longer with us, their work will certainly never be forgotten.

Kyle Scanlon (September 5, 1971 – July 3, 2012)

An activist who was always working towards a better world for his community, Kyle Scanlon had many accomplishments in his life He was the first trans man to be the director of the organization YouthLine, a founding member of TransPulse and Trans Access, as well as a writer for publications like Xtra and Fab magazines. He was a leader and was known for his generous and kind nature. His impact on the community will not be forgotten.  

Jaime Lee Hamilton (September 20, 1955 – December 23, 2019)

An Indigenous woman who was known for her work in the advocacy of sex workers, the transgender community, and missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. Jaime Lee Hamilton was Canada’s first youth to be treated for gender identity disorder and began her transition in 1969. She had a long career of activism but some of her standout moments were assisting in a study of transgender community members with HIV, bringing attention to a serial murderer who was targeting sex workers and Indigenous women, and serving as a director on the Vancouver Pride Society. She was a passionate and fierce woman, and an icon in the history of Canadian transgender people.

Julie Berman (1968 – December 22, 2019)

Julie Berman was a prominent activist that fought for awareness of trans violence. She was one of the people involved in running Toronto’s Trans Day of Remembrance and was also a speaker at the event. Her voice was committed to making a better world for trans community members and advocating for their individual rights. Her work with 519 (a non-profit community hub for LGBTQ2S+ members) spanned three decades. She is remembered as a beautiful person inside and out, a champion for her community, and a lovely person.

With these Canadians in our minds and hearts, remember that a brighter future exists for all transgender community members. All it takes is the belief in a better world, and making your voice heard.

If you or anyone you know is in crisis, contact one of these supports for transgender-specific guidance:

• Trans Health Klinic
• Trans Lifeline

Resources:

• Gender and Sexual Diversity Guide
• Gender Diversity and Inclusion Statistics Hub (Statistics Canada)
• Honoring Trans Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Awareness (Human Rights Campaign)

If you have any questions or comments, please email us at diversity@rrc.ca.

Intercultural Workshop #4 – Challenging Cultural Assumptions and Bias

Classrooms, workplaces, and communities are made up of people with diverse and complex cultural backgrounds. To navigate these intercultural environments, Intercultural Competence is the ability that helps us to interact effectively and appropriately with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. By developing our intercultural competence, we foster our ability to recognize, acknowledge, respect, and incorporate an understanding of worldviews and their impact on relationships. 

This final workshop in the Intercultural Competence series will continue to build the skills of intercultural competence by focusing on the concepts of bias and blind spots, microaggressions, and privilege. Additionally, participants will develop strategies for intercultural sensitivity to be able to experience and appreciate cultural differences.

All on-campus participants will be provided snacks and beverages, along with a chance to win a door prize! Register today for your chance to win!

Date: Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Central Time – US & Canada
Location: Connected Classroom, Emerging Media and Production Studios – access Mall level, heading toward North Gym
Campus: Notre Dame Campus + Online access

Click here to register for the workshop

This on-campus workshop is offered in the Connected Classroom at the Notre Dame Campus. Students and faculty can register in advance for a seat in the Connected Classroom, but space is limited to 50 participants. To increase access to these workshops, Emerging Media and Production is live-streaming each workshop through Webex for any registered online participants. A content recording will also be available after the event for students and instructors to access, and audience discussions will be edited out of the recording to respect the brave conversations of participants.

RRC Polytech recently launched the Diversity Self-Identification Survey, where all employees and students are invited to voluntarily self-declare as part of one or more of the following equity groups:

• Women
• Indigenous peoples
• People with disabilities
• Racialized persons
• Persons of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community

Participation in the survey will help give the College an accurate picture of who is on our campuses, supporting future inclusive initiatives.

See why RRC Polytech employees and students are self-identifying, and share your story on social media by using the hashtag #CountMeINcluded.

Melanie Barton
Supervisor, Campus Store

Dyan Nicole Uy
Student, Business Management CE and Member of the RRCSA Board

Make your voice heard and representation know. Complete the Diversity Self-Identification Survey today.

Words are powerful, shaping the way we think and experience day-to-day life. At RRC Polytech, part of our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is evolving our knowledge and the language we use.

You may have noticed the shift from the term “equity-seeking” to “equity-deserving.” This change was informed through consultations with internal EDI working groups, and aligns with language used by other post-secondary institutions and the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion.

When we talk about equity-seeking, it sets a framework for people needing to ask for their humanity to be recognized. Historically, these groups have been denied fair and equitable access to resources. To be “seeking” as opposed to “deserving” puts people in a difficult place – asking for equitable treatment.

Because words matter and are fundamental to how we think and see the world, changing the words we use creates a more inclusive culture where everyone is empowered. By moving to the term equity-deserving, we are recognizing everyone’s right to equitable treatment.

RRC Polytech recognizes the following equity-deserving groups:

• Women
• Indigenous Peoples
• Persons with disabilities
• Racialized persons
• Persons of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community

As part of our commitment to an inclusive and diverse community, we are asking all employees and students to self-identify as belonging to one or more of the equity-deserving groups.

Everyone is encouraged to complete the survey, even if you do not identify with the five equity-deserving groups or have previously self-identified. In order to get the most accurate picture of our College community and inform future EDI initiatives, programs and policies, it’s beneficial for everyone to make their voices heard and representation know by self-identifying.