Join us for a Panel Discussion at noon during the Indigenous Career Fair on Wednesday, January 18th! In the Roundhouse Auditorium at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, panelists, guided by our student hosts, will discuss what you can expect when you enter the workforce from their perspectives in different industries across Winnipeg. RRC Polytech partnered with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce to make this event possible.

Panel Members

Brikena Dibra • Registered Nurse

Brikena is a Registered Nurse from Peguis, Manitoba. She is a College Transition alumna and graduated from RRC Polytech’s Nursing Program in 2021

Her grandparents raised her because of the hardships her parents endured due to intergenerational trauma. Brikena faced many tough roads on her journey to becoming a nurse, but found a meaningful place for herself at the College through the Indigenous Support Centre.

Brikena is now a Community Health Nurse with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and the Manitoba Métis Federation. In the community, she helps to promote the health of the most vulnerable populations in Winnipeg and the Interlake.

“As a community health nurse, I try to think back to my roots. When working with our people, as an Indigenous person, I remember the teachings from my grandparents and Elders: to care for people the way I would want my family treated, and to promote health to all in a holistic manner. “

Brikena Dibra

Miranda Harper • Commercial Cash Management Manager

Miranda graduated from the College Prep for Aboriginal Students, now College Transition, with honors in the early 2000’s. She works as a Commercial Cash Management Manager with the First Nations Bank of Canada. She is responsible for the bank’s commercial business products and services all across Canada.

Miranda is a musician and when she’s not managing the First Nations Bank of Canada’s commercial cash, she sings and plays drums in an all-female band.

Theressa Thompson • Educational Assistant

Born and raised in Winnipeg, MB., Theressa is a member of Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation in Treaty 1 Territory.

Theressa is a College Transition (formerly APCET) graduate and interned for the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce for a few consecutive summers. She is currently working as an Educational Assistant at Gordon Bell High School as part of the Winnipeg School Division. This is her fourth year as an EA.

She’s working towards her teaching degree and is a third-year student in the Community Aboriginal Teacher Education Program at the University of Winnipeg. She aims to have her Bachelor of Arts in English by the end of this academic year (fingers crossed!). Theressa enjoys film, music, snacking, and spending quality time with her two children, Adelaide and Scotty, and her husband Andreas when not in work- or student-mode.

Renata Meconse • Board Member

Renata is a proud Anishinaabe Ikwe who lives in Winnipeg and is from Pinaymootang First Nation in Treaty 2 Territory. She has focused her career on communications primarily with the Indigenous community in Manitoba. She has worked with a number of Indigenous organizations in Manitoba, provincial and federal governments and the private sector.

As an artist and entrepreneur, Renata and her business partner have planned several Indigenous Arts Markets in Winnipeg since 2018. Their goal is to build economic opportunities for local Indigenous artisans and small businesses by providing culturally-safe and welcoming spaces where customers can also shop local and Indigenous!

Renata is a board member of the MB Indigenous Chamber of Commerce and is a Creative Communications graduate from RRC Polytech. She credits the great career opportunities she’s had to her education at RRC Polytech and the time she invested in herself and her professional development.

Student Hosts

Jo-Ann Johnson • Tour Guide for Notre Dame Campus

Jo-Ann is a Métis student in her second year of Community Development. She’s passionate about education and tourism to promote Truth and Reconciliation.

When Jo-Ann isn’t on campus studying, you will find her on a geocaching adventure or singing karaoke with friends.

We can’t wait to see you at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae on Wednesday the 18^th! To pre-register and be entered to win a $50.00 SkipTheDishes gift card, visit the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce’s website.

For more information about the Indigenous Career Fair programming and employer booths, check out this blog post! If you want some tips and advice to prepare, check out this post!