Celebrate Diversity Month is observed in April every year to recognize, celebrate and honour the diversity of the world around us. Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) refers to diversity as the variety of unique dimensions, qualities, and characteristics such as race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, economic status, physical abilities, life experiences, and other perspectives that we all possess.

At RRC Polytech we recognize that diversity within our communities is one of our greatest strengths. We are committed to fostering working and learning environments that recognize and celebrate the diversity of our students and our staff. Together, we are working toward a place where we understand, embrace and uplift each other’s culture, and where all are welcomed for who they are, and for what we can build together.

All staff at RRC Polytech have access to the CCDI 2024 Diversity Calendar to learn about religious or cultural days of significance that are celebrated or commemorated by our students and staff. We have highlighted some of the celebrations/observances that our staff and students celebrate based on this calendar. If there is a holiday that you celebrate or observe, and would like to add to the calendar, please fill out the Celebrate Everything form.

In recognition of this month, we would like to share resources and support to help us grow in our understanding of diverse cultures, perspectives and equip us in creating an inclusive working and learning environment.

Passover (Pesach) is a sacred Jewish holiday celebrated around the world each spring to commemorate the liberation of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. It is observed during the Hebrew month of Nisan and began this year at sunset on Monday, April 22 and will last until nightfall on April 30.  

During these eight days, this sacred holiday is celebrated with Seder feasts of traditional and symbolic foods, like matzah (an unleavened bread) and bitter herbs, the re-telling of the Exodus story and prayer. This holiday holds profound significance and a reminder of resilience and hope. It is a time to reflect on the enduring spirit of the Jewish people. 

At Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech), diversity is one of our greatest strengths and that the College is home to thousands of employees and students from all different backgrounds – including those from the Jewish community. 

Chag Pesach Sameach (Happy Passover) to all staff, faculty and students who celebrate this holiday.  

May this celebration hold joyous times for you and your families.  

International Day of Pink, also known as Day of Pink, is celebrated annually on the second Wednesday of April to celebrate diversity, acceptance, courage, and inclusivity within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and beyond.

Day of Pink is for people who have previously, or recently, experienced discrimination because of their sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression. This day urges people around the world to stand in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to continue fighting for equality and acceptance.

At RRC Polytech, Campus Well-Being in partnership with the Gender and Sexual Diversity Working Group hosted a booth at Notre Dame Campus on April 10 to create awareness and share resources. Staff and students had the opportunity to create a customized button to mark the day.

You can explore the International Day of Pink website, to read more about this year’s theme, and to learn more about the anniversary of three important milestones: the birth of the Trans flag, the Brunswick Four, and the Depathologization of Homosexuality.

via United Nations

World Autism Awareness Day is an annual observance on April 2, designated in 2008 by the United Nations to acknowledge the lived experiences, bring awareness to the inequities and advocate for the rights of individuals who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (or autism).

Also known as World Autism Acceptance Day, the observance highlights the importance of accepting, supporting and including persons with autism, so they can lead a full life and make meaningful contributions at work, at home and in the community.

Learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder and how you can recognize World Autism Awareness Day:

• RRC Polytech Library and Academic Success Centre Guides:
  • Autism Spectrum – readings
  • Autism spectrum – videos
    
• Free self-paced online program offered through the University of British Columbia’s Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism:
  • Autism and Neurodiversity in the Workplace
    
• Autism Canada
  
• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) – RRC Polytech employees can sign up to access all resources for free!
  • Neurodiversity Guide
  • CCDI Webinar: Neurodiversity: An introduction
    
• The United Nations
  • Tuesday, April 2, 10:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. EDT | Free virtual event: Moving from Surviving to Thriving: Autistic individuals share regional perspectives. Register Here.

On April 2, and every day, may we recognize the unique contributions of persons with autism, and continue to create more inclusive environments where everyone feels accepted.

International Transgender Day of Visibility is observed on March 31 for celebrating Trans people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by them worldwide.

At RRC Polytech, we observed this day on Wednesday, March 27 by inviting Elder Albert McLeod for a talk centered on perspectives on understanding Transgender identities, challenges faced by the Transgender community, Two Spirit advocacy within the Winnipeg Trans community, and the importance of visibility and allyship. You can watch the recording of the talk here – Trans Day of Visibility with Elder Albert.

We invite you to celebrate this day by signing a heart to show your support in the Spectrum (FM66, Notre Dame Campus) or by adding a supportive message on this Kudoboard.

One way we can support in creating an inclusive work and learning environment is by using gender-inclusive language and preferred pronouns. Library and Academic Services team has created this Inclusive Language Guide to help us in this journey.

If you have any questions or need more information, contact diversity@rrc.ca. 

Image via United Nations

Today, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21 – the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960.

Since then, some racist systems have been dismantled but, in many regions, too many individuals, communities, and societies suffer from the injustice and stigma that racism brings. We can use this day to reflect on the fact that Indigenous peoples and racialized communities continue to experience racism and discrimination in Canada every day. We can re-commit to take action against racial discrimination in all forms to ensure a world where everyone has equitable access to all aspects of society.

Learn more about the United Nation’s theme for 2024: “A Decade of Recognition, Justice, and Development: Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent”.

Film Screening: The Skin We’re In

Today, the Social Justice Engagement Club is an initiative put on by the Anti-Racism Action Committee to create a space for students, faculty and staff to foster a learning community that advances Truth and Reconciliation, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

In recognition of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, join the Social Justice Engagement Club for a film screening and guided conversation for faculty, staff and students. We’ll provide snacks and you could win a book.

We will be screening the CBC documentary, “The Skin We’re In.”

Day: Today, Thursday, March 21, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00pm

Locations:

• Notre Dame Campus: Active Learning Classroom (Library, CM27)
• Exchange District Campus: Roundhouse Auditorium

Read more about the event and register on the diversity blog.

Register now.

Anti-Racism Training:

As a College community we have a responsibility to commit to standing up, speaking out, and pushing back against racism in all its forms.

We know diversity is one of our greatest strengths and the College is home to thousands of employees and students from all different backgrounds. Every one of us brings a unique perspective, experience, and connection to our workplace and classrooms.

If you have not yet had the opportunity to complete your Anti-Racism Training for Employees, please make time to complete this training and learn more about privilege, unconscious bias and decision-making, the difference between anti-racism and systemic racism, why microagressions are called “death by a thousand cuts” and why silence makes things worse. Through Anti-Racism: A Journey to Allyship training, you will leave with concrete actions you can take towards racial equity and tackling discrimination that make a difference.

Complete your training here.

^{PHOTO:UN/ Martine Perret}

Red River College Polytechnic strives to make campus a safe and inclusive space for all. Stand with us against fear, prejudice and hatred of Muslims, and all forms of racism, religious discrimination, and harassment.

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has recognized March 15 as an International Day to Combat Islamophobia. The UN defines Islamophobia as “a fear, prejudice and hatred of Muslims that leads to provocation, hostility, and intolerance by means of threatening, harassment, abuse, incitement and intimidation of Muslims and non-Muslims, both in the online and offline world. Motivated by institutional, ideological, political, and religious hostility that transcends into structural and cultural racism, it targets the symbols and markers of being a Muslim.” This designation by the UN is a response to the increasing incidents of Islamophobia. According to the National Council of Canadian Muslims, in the last year there has been 1300% increase in cases of Islamophobia as a result of the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

The significance of March 15 lies in its marking of the anniversary of the Christchurch Mosque shootings, a tragic event where 51 individuals who identify as Muslims, were killed.

Reflecting on a similar tragedy closer to home, on January 29, 2017, six lives were tragically lost, and 19 others were severely injured in an attack at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec in Sainte-Foy. To commemorate the victims of this attack—one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history—January 29 has been proclaimed as National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque attack and Action against Islamophobia.

With over 2 billion followers, Islam is the world’s second-largest religion accounting for 24.9% of the global population.

Resources:

• Allyship means taking concrete actions against individual and systemic discrimination. Ally is a verb, not an identity. There are many ways you can be an ally to Muslims.
• 25 Interesting Facts About Muslims: A fact sheet from the Islamic Heritage Month Resource Guidebook (Toronto District School Board)
• Islamophobia at Work: Challenges and Opportunities: A report on the trade union perspectives on Islamophobia (Canadian Labour Congress)
• Islamophobia is… more than hate crimes: A short video created by Islamophobia-Is.com (YouTube)
• Vancouver Public Library: Reading List

For Educators:

• Guidelines for Educators on Countering Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims
• Accommodating Muslim Students During Ramadan: Yes, I’m Hot In This: A free poster to help educators create safe and inclusive spaces for Muslim students during the month of Ramadan
• Know Your Rights Guide for Muslim Postsecondary Students: A guide for Canadian post-secondary students about discrimination and harassment (National Council of Canadian Muslims)
• D.A.R.E.: The Digital Anti-Racism Education (DARE) Project is the Canadian Council of Muslim Women’s national program to raise awareness of online hate and Islamophobia (Canadian Council of Muslim Women)
• National Film Board of Canada: The Faith Project: The Faith Project is an interactive tablet documentary featuring short films about prayer in the modern world. (National Film Board of Canada)

International Trans Day of Visibility is an annual event dedicated to celebrating Trans people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by Transgender people worldwide. Join Elder Albert McLeod on Trans Day of Visibility for a talk centered on perspectives on understanding Transgender identities, challenges faced by the Transgender community, Two Spirit advocacy within the Winnipeg Trans community, and the importance of visibility and allyship.

Date: Wednesday, March 27

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Location:

In person: Connected Classroom, G139 (second floor) Emerging Media and Production, NDC. Drop in, no registration is required.

Online on Teams: The event will also be livestreamed. If you would like to join the event online, please register here.

About the Presenter:

Albert McLeod is a Status Indian with ancestry from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and the Métis community of Norway House in northern Manitoba. He has over thirty years of experience as a human rights activist and is one of the directors of the Two-Spirited People of Manitoba.

Albert began his Two-Spirit advocacy in Winnipeg in 1986 and became an HIV/AIDS activist in 1987. He was the director of the Manitoba Aboriginal AIDS Task Force from 1991 to 2001. In 2018, Albert received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Winnipeg.

Albert lives in Winnipeg, where he works as a consultant specializing in Indigenous peoples, cultural reclamation, and cross-cultural training.

March 20 is Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day. In recognition of this day, RRC Polytech is holding a Two Spirit Film Festival, screening films from The National Film Board of Canada to celebrate the radiance and diversity of Two-Spirit identities, expression and experience.

Locations & Time:

• The Spectrum, Notre Dame Campus, from 12:00 to 1 :00 p.m.
• Room E155, Manitou a bi Bii Daziigae, Exchange District Campus, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Films range from six to 22 minutes. Drop in for one or stay and view all three over the hour!

• First Stories,Two Spirited – This short documentary presents the empowering story of Rodney “Geeyo” Poucette’s struggle against prejudice in the Indigenous community as a Two Spirited Jingle Dancer.
• Second Stories, Deb-we-win Ge-ken-am-aan, Our Place in the Circle – Lorne Olson’s short documentary presents a vision he had of Two Spirited people dancing, laughing, and smiling. His vision spurs him to rediscover the strength of the past to better face the challenges of today.
• Woman Dress – Pre-contact, a Two Spirit person named Woman Dress travels the Plains, gathering and sharing stories. Featuring archival images and dramatized re-enactments, this film shares a Cuthand family oral story, honouring and respecting Woman Dress without imposing colonial binaries on them.

February 26 to March 1 marked RRC Polytech’s second annual Inclusion Week, an opportunity for students and staff to live our shared commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in everything we do, through a mix of in-person and virtual sessions.

Thank you to the planning committee, volunteers, presenters and special guests for another fantastic week full of programming and learning. And of course, thank you to everyone who participated in sessions throughout the week!

Resources for Beyond Inclusion Week

Missed out on attending a session, or looking for some self-guided learning opportunities? The journey to embodying EDI and creating more inclusive spaces doesn’t stop when Inclusion Week is over!

Recordings of Inclusion Week Keynote and Featured Sessions

Keynote Session – Dr. Robert Mizzi: Queer Voices Inclusive Choices Transforming Academic Spaces

Featured Session – Isha Khan: Finding Your Voice and Advocating for Change

Featured Session – Tanya Marinelli-Clarke: Lateral Violence to Lateral Kindness

Access the full list of self-guided resources at the bottom of this post.

Creating Inclusive Online Classrooms and Meetings

Watch the presentation from Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services and Students Accessibility Services team members on how you can create more inclusive learning and collaboration in online spaces.

Upcoming Events

Join the College community for events this month in recognition of Two Spirit Day, International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and Trans Day of Visibility.