Equity, Diversity and Inclusion on Campus

News and Events

Celebrate Neurodiversity Week: March 17-23, 2025!

March 12, 2025

Neurodiversity Celebration Week, founded in 2018 by neurodivergent advocate Siena Castellon, will take place from March 17 to 23, 2025. Siena, who has autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, started this global initiative to shift perceptions around learning differences. She noticed that discussions are often centered on the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals.  The aim of the week-long celebration is to highlight the strengths, talents, and unique perspectives of those in the neurodivergent community.

Check out these resources to help celebrate the week:

Get Involved. You can also join an Employee Working Group or Community of Practice:

  • Community of Practice: Accessibility Garden. Join your colleagues to share and discuss accessibility practices. To learn more, visit the Community of Practice: Accessibility Garden page  on Staff Forum.
  • Neurodiversity Working Group. We’re looking for passionate employees to help make a real difference. To learn more and get involved, visit the Neurodiversity Working Group page  on Staff Forum.

International Women’s Day 2025: Accelerate Action

March 5, 2025

Smiling woman with curly hair, holding books and raising her fist in a power pose. Text reads: 'Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #AccelerateAction.' International Women’s Day, March 8.

March 8, 2025, marks International Women’s Day (IWD) – a global celebration of women’s achievements and a powerful call to action for gender equality. For over a century, IWD has united people worldwide to celebrate progress, raise awareness of ongoing challenges, and inspire collective action towards gender parity.

According to the World Economic Forum, it may take roughly five more generations to achieve full gender parity. This stark reality drives the IWD 2025 campaign theme: ‘Accelerate Action.’

Accelerate Action emphasizes the urgency of addressing systemic barriers, challenging biases, and fast-tracking progress towards gender equality. It’s a worldwide call to amplify strategies, allocate resources, and champion initiatives that create tangible, lasting impact for women everywhere.

Ready to make an impact? Explore these resources to celebrate the week and Accelerate Action:

Dive into inspiring stories and milestones:

Get involved and expand your knowledge:

Collectively, through learning, advocating, and taking action, we can accelerate progress and build a future where gender equality is a reality. Let’s make it happen — together.

Inclusion Week: Daily Acts of Inclusion

February 28, 2025

RRC Polytech students playing games at the Notre Dame Campus.

In recognition of Inclusion Week, we’re excited to share five simple but impactful acts of inclusion that you can easily incorporate into your daily interactions. Each of these small, intentional actions is designed to foster a more inclusive environment. The goal is to inspire you to actively create a culture of difference where everyone feels empowered and appreciated.

Inclusion isn’t just about a single week – it’s a continuous effort. Here’s how you can start:

Monday: Pull in Underheard Voices

Inclusion starts by actively engaging those who haven’t had the chance to share their thoughts in discussions or those who might not always speak up. In class discussions, group projects, or casual conversations, ask: “Would you like to share your perspective on this?” or “How would you approach this idea?” Creating space for everyone to share their ideas ensures all voices are heard, considered, and valued.

By pulling in underheard voices into the conversation, we empower everyone to contribute. This small but powerful act fosters collaboration, builds trust, and creates a more inclusive environment where all ideas are respected, leading to richer discussions and more creative solutions.

Tuesday: Get Names Right

Today, let’s be intentional about getting names right! It’s a simple way to show respect and care for your classmates. Take the time to learn and pronounce their names correctly. Use their preferred names consistently. If you’re not sure, just ask politely! It’s totally okay to ask and practicing shows that you value them.

Getting someone’s name right is a small but significant way to show you see, value and respect them for who they are. This simple gesture can go a long way in making everyone feel included.

Wednesday: Acknowledge Contributions

Let’s shine a light on everyone’s efforts – no matter how big or small – and make them feel valued! Whether you’re in class, collaborating on a group project, chatting with friends, or sending emails, make sure you’re giving recognition for ideas and efforts where it’s due. Saying something like, “That’s a great point!” can make someone feel appreciated.

Acknowledging people’s contributions openly builds a culture of appreciation and positivity. Plus, it helps everyone feel like their ideas are valued.

Thursday: Share Resources and Normalize Challenges

Facing a new task, project, or subject can be overwhelming. One way to support each other is by sharing helpful resources, tools, advice, or quick tips that made things easier for you when you faced similar challenges. Offering help and sharing your experiences not only makes others feel supported, but also empowers them to ask for help, and fosters a sense of community.

Creating a culture of shared resources and normalized challenges fosters empathy, collaboration, and inclusion. It shows that it’s okay to struggle, and it’s okay to ask for help.

Friday: Circle Back and Create Space in Conversations

As Inclusion Week draws to a close, let’s ensure everyone has the opportunity to be heard. If someone is interrupted, make sure to circle back and give them space to finish their thoughts. A simple “I think [name] had a good point – let’s hear the rest of it” makes a big difference in keeping the conversation inclusive. It’s also okay to pass if they don’t have anything to add.

Circling back and creating space for everyone to speak shows respect and helps everyone feel that their contributions matter. This fosters better teamwork and collaboration.

And that’s a wrap for Inclusion Week!

Here’s a quick recap of the five acts of inclusion you can try:

  • Monday: Pull in Underheard Voices
  • Tuesday: Get Names Right
  • Wednesday: Acknowledge Contributions
  • Thursday: Share Resources and Normalize Challenges
  • Friday: Circle Back and Create Space in Conversations

Remember, even small actions can have a huge impact!

While Inclusion Week provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on how we can be more inclusive, true change happens when we make inclusion a consistent, ongoing practice. Inclusion Week is just the beginning. Let’s commit to making inclusion a consistent, intentional practice—one day at a time, no matter the time of year.

These practical tips were shared by Robyn Penner Thiessen, a DEI consultant passionate about creating more inclusive workplaces and specializing in helping leaders develop the skills and strategies to lead inclusively. Learn more at robynpennerthiessen.com or by reaching out at robyn@robynpennerthiessen.com.

Show your support during Ramadan

February 27, 2025

A colourful graphic with the word Ramadan written across.

RRC Polytech is committed to creating a respectful community that is diverse, inclusive and equitable — a place where we can come together to better understand, embrace and uplift each other’s culture and experiences, and a place where all are welcomed for who we are, and for what we can build together.

Ramadan is a sacred month for Muslims around the world, marked by obligatory fasting and a spiritual cleanse.

To members of the faith, the ninth month on the Islamic lunar calendar is considered the holiest and healthy adults who are able, are required to fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate. Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion and special prayers.

In 2025, the month-long fast of Ramadan begins around February 28 and ends around March 29. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate one of their major holidays called Eid ul-Fitr or the “Festival of the Breaking of the Fast.” In 2025 the holiday will be celebrated around March 29 or 30, and features prayer ceremony, food, games and presents for children as friends and family spend time together.

While the personal commitment to these sacred rituals may go unnoticed by some and spark curiosity in others, please be mindful that this observance may result in altered sleep patterns, changes in energy levels, increased anxiety around meeting deadlines, and requires a commitment to prayer timings.

Here are a few ways for non-Muslims to be supportive of students, staff and members of the College community who are fasting for Ramadan:

Be flexible, adaptable, and respectful.

Be conscientious of how much physical energy is required for an activity or outing you may propose, the time of day in which meetings or events may fall, and the settings in which you are doing them.

There are also various reasons Muslims may not be fasting, premised in the faith tradition or entirely personal, so you shouldn’t assume or ask someone if they’re observing. Please respect their privacy unless they choose to share and engage.

Be an ally in your department to those who are observing Ramadan and seek out more information to better understand and support your colleagues.

Click here to learn more about Ramadan

Pink Shirt Day 2025

February 24, 2025

February 26 is Pink Shirt Day, a day 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. 

Every Year, Pink Shirt Day is a reminder to create a more kind, inclusive world by raising awareness and funds for anti-bullying initiatives. 

A pink t-shirt with an image of a feather on the front.Show your solidarity this Wednesday by wearing a pink shirt – you can purchase one from the Campus Store, designed by Oromocto First Nation student artist Brooke Gillam. 

Artist Statement: 

“I chose a sacred feather because it symbolizes and represents a high honour, wisdom, power, and freedom. The three hearts inside represent kindness, friendship, and love. When I tied the two together, it felt right because my heart told me it felt like it was meant to be.” – Artist Brooke Gillam, Oromocto First Nation 

Please note that both locations of the Campus Store are closed from Tuesday, February 25th – Friday, February 28th.

Respectful College – Online Training 

RRC Polytech has developed a course called Respectful College Training 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 Training 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.

Staff can login to HRIS to complete the training: HUB > HR Unlimited > My Portal > My Learning > Learning Library > More > Choose the Course to take > Click Enroll.

Students can access the training by logging in to LEARN.

Anti-Racism: It’s Not a Grey Area

February 14, 2025

RRC Polytech is embarking on a mission to recognize the truth about racism in our institution.

Because anti-racism is not a grey area – to make the reconciliatory change we want to see, we must confront the truth, past and present.

Regular features on our Diversity blog will explore various aspects of the College through the lens of anti-racism and through historical contexts.

As Manitoba’s leading provider of applied education and research, RRC Polytech graduates students into a wide range of industries, equipping them with advanced skills and values that emphasize teamwork and inclusiveness. We believe that the College’s identity should be shaped by the people who learn, teach, and work here. We want to empower students, faculty and staff to carry that identity with them in the workplace and greater community.

To ensure all people thrive at the College, we continuously identify and address racism in our systems and attitudes. Whatever the mechanism – policy change, for example – education always follows. Because a policy to advance anti-racism is nothing without a concerted effort to inform College community members why the change was made and how it will make our community more open to all.

This process of re-education is itself a response to the historical framework of post-secondary education – one that has created disparities of opportunity along the lines of race in institutions such as RRC Polytech for generations.  

True systemic change begins with education.

Communicating why practices in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) are important shifts the way we think about anti-racism. It’s more than just ‘not being racist.’

Safety and respect are critical to success in educational and professional settings. Many people navigate institutions that were not designed with their realities in mind, and as a result, they may face microaggressions, discrimination, or a lack of culturally responsive support systems. When we don’t actively consider these experiences, we risk maintaining an environment where some students and faculty don’t feel respected and struggle to thrive.

RRC Polytech must take an active role in not only addressing its internal systems, but communicating why practices in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) are important so we can shift the way we think about anti-racism. It’s more than just ‘not being racist.’

Many organizational structures that we see in Canada today were designed to benefit western European settlers, which created policies and cultural norms that excluded Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities from equitable access to the same resources. Because of this, educational institutions have overlooked the histories, contributions, and knowledge systems of many cultures and peoples.

In our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, we learn, discuss and reflect about the wrongdoings that have been perpetrated against Indigenous Peoples since the time of contact and the ongoing impacts – this is Truth. Recognizing those wrongdoings enables us to take action in ways that can better support Indigenous people, families, and communities – and this is Reconciliation.

The same approach is one RRC Polytech is committed to making towards anti-racism; knowing the truth is recognizing that racism is not a thing of the past and ‘not being racist’ is not enough to make the change we want to see. Taking action to reconcile is making goals using the information we have to better support our community and ensuring that everyone has equitable opportunities to succeed.

By prioritizing anti-racist learning, we can make RRC Polytech, in and of itself, demonstrative of the values we hold. The students who come through our doors can become agents of change in creating organizations that are reflective of the people for which they provide.

We have come a long way since our founding as the Industrial Vocational Education Centre in 1938 – we have introduced International Education, the Centre for Newcomer Integration, the School of Indigenous Education, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development, and many more initiatives and policies in EDIA. We explain why we have these and what the benefits are for the people for whom they’re designed, but we don’t always explicitly articulate the historical context that creates the need for these specialized areas in the first place.

And the truth is, these contexts are deeply rooted in discrimination, racism, and colonialism. Future anti-racism features on the Diversity blog will delve into the histories that prompted the development of these areas, policies, and practices, and the impact that they’ve had in making safe and respectful learning and working environments for the people for whom they’re designed.

Visit the Anti-Racism section on our website and subscribe to the Diversity Blog for the latest updates on RRC Polytech’s exploration in anti-racism, and remember: it’s not a grey area.

Social Justice Coffee House

February 12, 2025

With the success of our first social justice coffee house, we’re pleased to host another one during Inclusion Week 2025! All staff, faculty, and students are invited to be a part of this event. Whether you want to be a performer or simply attend, we welcome you to participate!

This year’s theme is food insecurity. Compassion and understanding are key to tackling this issue, helping us address the root causes and create real change. Want to learn more about food insecurity? Check out these resources:

Event Details:

  • Date: March 5, 2025
  • Time: 10:30 a.m.– 11:30 a.m.
  • Location: Roundhouse Auditorium (Second Floor), Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, Exchange District Campus

What to Expect: 

  • You can share readings (poetry, fiction, or non-fiction), sing, engage in discussions, or take part in discussing food insecurity. Our goal is to create a safe space to express your thoughts, connect with others, and learn together.
  • Collecting Donations: Bring donations of snacks, non-perishable food, gently used winter clothing, travel-sized hygiene items, or new socks. All donations will be shared with Community 204, an organization that support people experiencing housing insecurity in Winnipeg.

Why Attend?

  • Express Yourself: This is a safe space to share your thoughts on important social justice issues.
  • Connect with Peers: Meet others who are passionate about creating positive change.
  • Learn and Grow: Gain new perspectives on social justice and food insecurity.

How to Participate:

  • Perform or Present: If you’d like to perform or present, please fill out the form below to share what you’d like to contribute.
  • Be an Audience Member: If you’re not performing, your presence and support will make a difference! Please fill out the form to let us know you’ll be attending. Afterward, you’ll receive a meeting invite to hold the space in your calendar.
  • Registration Form via MS Forms.

Refreshments:
Enjoy complimentary coffee and light snacks throughout the event.

Inclusion Week 2025

February 12, 2025

A group of people play with an oversized Jenga set.

RRC Polytech’s third annual Inclusion Week is March 3 to 7, 2025! The week-long event is filled with in-person and virtual opportunities for students, staff and faculty to learn how to embody equity, diversity, and inclusion at work, in class, and in our personal lives.

We strive to host accessible events. If you require an accommodation, please email diversity@rrc.ca.

Schedule of Events

Monday, March 3

Tuesday, March 4

Wednesday, March 5

Thursday, March 6

Friday, March 7

Self-Guided Resources

Empowering Voices, Amplifying Black Narratives in Leadership – A Black History Month Event

February 11, 2025

The Afro-Caribbean Mentorship Program (ACMP), in partnership with RRC Polytech, University of Manitoba, and University of Winnipeg, will host one of its most popular annual Black History Month programs.

This event will celebrate the Black African Diaspora community in Canada and pay homage to the great accomplishments of the Black African Diaspora people throughout history, leading to the present.

The event will feature the Honourable Uzoma Asagwara, Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, as the keynote speaker, panel discussions, Black business showcases, bursaries for Black African Diaspora students (secondary and post-secondary Winnipeg students), recognition for trailblazers in the Black African Diaspora Winnipeg community and much more.

  • When: Friday, February 28, 2025
  • Time: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Location: Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, Exchange District Campus, RRC Polytech (319 Elgin Ave.)

Register for free on the Afro-Caribbean Mentorship Program website.

Black History Month

January 29, 2025

Image featuring an orange background and two hands, richly decorated with colourful patterns, clasped together. On either side of the hands, there are boxes filled with patterns and colours.

February is recognized as Black History Month, a time to reflect on and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black individuals and communities. The theme for 2025 is “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations”.

At RRC Polytech, we recognize the importance of Black history and culture in shaping a more inclusive and vibrant community. We are committed to creating a space where everyone feels welcome and valued.

Ways to learn more and celebrate Black History Month:

RRC Polytech > Equity, Diversity and Inclusion on Campus > News and Events

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