All RRC Polytech students and staff are invited to participate in our fourth annual Truth and Reconciliation Week, September 26-29, 2022.

Through a mix of in-person and virtual events offered by departments from across the College, immerse yourself in Indigenous teachings, story-telling and experiences to evolve your understanding of history and current issues impacting Indigenous people, reconciliation efforts and society as a whole. Help spark a conversation around Truth and Reconciliation and contribute to understanding, healing and stronger relationships.

Some of the themes that will be touched on this year are Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit, Residential Schools, Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters, Indigenous languages, anti-racism, and Immersive Stories, as well as some staff only professional development around Indigenous Research Methodologies and Indigegogy. eTV studio’s powerful and emotional Truth and Reconciliation Immersion Room tours will be available to book that will take you on a journey of history and hope. There will also be an opportunity for all to celebrate Indigenous cultures at the Community Kitchen Party.

Stay tuned for full event details by watching your Student and Staff news. In-person events will primarily be hosted over lunch hours.

Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters – Group Photo

To recognize Residential School Survivors and those who did not make it home, and the College’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, staff and students are invited to participate in a group photo in advance of Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters, September 30, 2022.

Wear an orange shirt and join us on Wednesday, September 7, at 12:15 p.m. at the Notre Dame Campus Medicine Wheel Garden. The Medicine Wheel Garden is located past the NDC Greenhouse, click here to view a map.

Orange t-shirts, designed by local artist, Peatr Thomas, in support of the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award, were created this year in partnership by RRC Polytech’s School of Indigenous Education and the Campus Store. The t-shirts are now available the Exchange District and Notre Dame Campus Stores, with all proceeds going directly to the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award.

Please note that photos and/or video footage will be shared internally as well as on RRC Polytech’s social media and website.

Staff Development: Indigenous Research Methodologies with Dr. Shawn Wilson

Research is an important area at RRC Polytech that helps to guide the work we do. Dr. Shawn Wilson, from Opaskwayak Cree Nation, and author of Research is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods will be at the College during Truth and Reconciliation Week to share his knowledge about Indigenous research methodologies. We invite you to join us on a learning journey where we will view research through a holistic and relational lens and one rooted in ceremony.

Shawn will share with us the elements of an Indigenous research paradigm, OCAP and FPIC principles, and how to weave Indigenous traditions and practices into a research process and share with us the specific principles that need to be considered and applied when entering into research with Indigenous Peoples and Nations.

When: September 26, 2022, 9:00 a.m.
Where: The Roundhouse, second floor of Manitou a bi Bii daziigae
Further details, including registration information, will be provided soon.

Are you interested in learning more about a career in IT? Join us for a presentation on our new Pathway to Information Technology (IT) Programs (rrc.ca/pit) on July 12 at 1pm or at 6pm. This is a unique opportunity for Indigenous students who have not had the opportunity to participate or succeed in post-secondary education due to social, economic, or cultural factors. This program will prepare you and increase your readiness for one of the three information technology programs offered by RRC Polytech:

• IT Operations (rrc.ca/ito)
• Business Information Technology (rrc.ca/bit)
• Information Security (rrc.ca/inf)

At the presentation, you will learn about:

1. What is Information Technology?
2. What is the Pathway to Information Technology Programs and its benefits?
3. Information about the three IT programs you can go into after completing the Pathway to Information Technology Programs
4. Supports and Services at RRC Polytech
5. How to Register for the program

To register for one of these information sessions, click below:

• July 12 at 1pm

• July 12 at 6pm

We look forward to seeing you there! If you are not able to attend either of these sessions, you can contact Jamie Chahine (Access Pathways Manager) jchahine@RRC.CA for information about the program.

Collision
Bi zi kwa daa dim (Anishinaabemowin)
Māmawītēnamãtōwin (Cree)
Thakakshkowan (Oji-Cree)
Tawahikawtayw (Michif)
Bohtake (Dakota) 
ᑐᓗᕐᑐ ᑦ Tulurqturq (Inuktut)

All these words are inviting you to an RBC Reaction by Collision event – a Celebration of Indigenous Cultures, Arts, Languages, and Entrepreneurship! Collide with culture, ideas, artists and innovation from an Indigenous lens.

The perfect precursor to your National Indigenous People’s Day and Summer Solstice festivities, this event features a jam-packed agenda with stellar musical performances (dance and instrumental) with local legends, intimate story-telling and teachings with Knowledge Keepers and Elders, an Indigenous maker’s market, community booths, and a special announcement from RBC and RRC Polytech’s School of Indigenous Education.

Monday, June 20 | 2:00 – 7 pm
Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, 319 Elgin Ave.

Thank you to our Sponsor

The School for Indigenous Education Reaction by Collision event is generously supported by RBC Future Launch.

What: FREE Indigenous IT Youth Camp
When: Thursday, May 12 | 9:30 to 2:30 PM
Where: Virtual on MS Teams (Platform)
Who: Indigenous Youth ages 14-18-years-old

Join us at Red River College Polytechnic to explore what a career in Information Technology (IT) looks like, hear from Indigenous working in IT, and learn to build a simple website.  Learners will explore innovation in Canada and create a website (using Glitch.com) about their chosen recipient of the Governor General Innovation Award. 

Note: There are capacity limits for this event, please register as soon as possible to save your seat.

RRC Polytech’s annual Pow Wow returns in-person! Please join us to celebrate Indigenous students as we send them off on a continued journey to success. Ray ‘CoCo’ Stevenson will lead us as Master of Ceremonies in a day filled with ceremony, dancing, drumming, singing, food, vendors, special messages from leadership, and of course, honouring graduates.

Host Drum: Walking Wolf
Arena Director: Marcel French

Pow Wow 2022
Friday May 6, 2022
Notre Dame Campus, North Gym

10:00 am – Pipe Ceremony
12:00 pm – Grand Entry  
2:00 pm – Graduate Awards Presentation
4:30 pm – Feast

RRC Polytech Indigenous Students, please register here.

Dancers, drum groups, artists/makers – email Pow Wow planner Rhonda Monkman at rmonkman90@rrc.ca to register.

Thursday, April 28 | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Indigenous Support Centre, Notre Dame Campus, F209

Take a break from studying and join Indigenous Student Supports to play board games! There will be pizza, chips, and pop as well as three door prizes to be won. We can’t wait to see you in-person. (Mask required, except when eating or drinking.)

Register by emailing Terri-Lynn at tlanderson@rrc.ca

Thursday, March 31 – 7:00pm – 8:30pm

After a successful first bingo family fun night, Indigenous Student Supports is back with a another night of online bingo! Feel free to join with your family, friends and classmates.

We will do four rounds of full cards for each direction (North, South, East, West) and there are prizes to be won! The grand prize is an incredibly cozy Sherpa lined with fleece exterior bedroom set from Dene Cree Designs. The event will be hosted via Microsoft Teams. Everything for this event is online – no dabbers required.

Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Time: 4:00 – 7:00pm

Ever wondered about Indigenous Education programs at RRC Polytech? Curious about your options? Want to talk directly to instructors and staff?

Join us for our virtual Indigenous Education Exploration Fair where you can connect, discuss, and explore programs and career paths virtually.

This event will help you learn, plan, and start your post-secondary education in a supportive environment so you can receive the skills, training, and confidence to strengthen the path forward for the next seven generations. Let us know how we can help you carve your path as you aspire towards your personal, professional and community goals.

This event is for future First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, their families, friends, and support networks, community organizations, and anyone who wants to learn more about Indigenous Education at RRC Polytech.

What to Expect

• Keynote Speaker Sheila North, RRC Alumni, Journalist, Former Grand Chief, Advocate
• Greetings from Elders-In-Residence: Paul Guimond and Una Swan
• Visit a variety of booths – meet staff and ask questions
• Tune into a live broadcast to learn all about Indigenous Supports at RRC Polytech
• Learn about programs, supports, and campuses

Wednesday, March 16, 2022
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
VIRTUAL – ZOOM
FREE

Are you a student interested in meeting a potential mentor in your desired field?

Join us for our free virtual Indigenous Youth Networking Forum – where we will bring together local business mentors with Indigenous post-secondary students to discuss career journeys, life advice and how to seek meaningful employment.

Hosted in partnership with RRC Polytech’s Indigenous Education and HP Change, attendees will first hear from an Indigenous business panel discussion then be broken into smaller groups, depending on the student’s interest and business leader’s specialization.

Why should students attend:

• Get your questions answered and gain credible career advice from local business leaders matched to you
• Create meaningful relationships with potential mentors
• Network with future employers located here in Winnipeg

To help us engage mentors that would be relevant and of value to students in attendance, we have just a few questions in the above registration.

Thursday, February 17, 2022 | 7pm-8pm

It’s Family Fun Night – with a Métis theme in honour of Louis Riel Day! Indigenous Student Supports invites you, your family and friends to join us virtually to play a Métis version of Kahoot! with prizes to be won. Navigation Coach Terri-Lynn Anderson and her family will also share a short lesson on how to do the Red River Jig. The event is hosted via Microsoft Teams and all are welcome to come – we hope to see you there!