News and Announcements

Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day

Posted: March 6, 2024

Join us on March 20 to celebrate Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day. RRC Polytech is hosting a Two-Spirit Film Festival to showcase the radiance and diversity of Two-Spirit identities, expression and experience.

The Film Festival will take place at Notre Dame Campus in The Spectrum from noon to 1pm and at the Exchange District Campus in E155 from 1pm – 2pm.

Both sites will feature screenings of First Stories – Two Spirited; Second Stories – Deb-we-win Ge-ken-am-aan, Our Place in the Circle; and Woman Dress.

No registration is required.

About the films

First Stories – Two Spirited is a documentary that presents the empowering story of Rodney “Geeyo” Poucette’s struggle against prejudice in the Indigenous community as a Two-Spirited Person. Two Spirited was produced through First Stories, an emerging filmmaker program for Indigenous youth. The program saw three separate collections of short films from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta

Second Stories – Deb-we-win Ge-ken-am-aan, Our Place in the Circle is a representation of Lorne Olson’s vision 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—this funny and buoyant film documents his touching journey. Second Stories followed the success of First Stories and continued training with Indigenous filmmakers from the first program.

Woman Dress is a pre-contact story about a Two-Spirit person named Woman Dress, who travels the Plains while gathering and sharing stories. Woman Dress features archival images, recounts scenes of dramatized re-enactments, and shares a Cuthand family oral story while honouring and respecting Woman Dress without imposing colonial binaries on them.

Wiisinin Diner is open next Tuesday!

Posted: March 5, 2024

The Indigenous Culinary Skills students are putting their newly-acquired skills into action! The annual pop-up Wiisinin Diner will be serving delicious breakfast and lunch for staff and students between Tuesday and Friday from March 12 until April 19 in Prairie Lights Dining Room at Notre Dame Campus. Pick up your vouchers from the Campus Store and check out the menu on our website.

Culinary Skills (Indigenous) Instructor featured on Unreserved

Posted: March 1, 2024

Chef Patrick Anderson was featured again on the heels of his appearance on CBC’s The Current — this time, he was featured in Unreserved‘s edition of Food and Memory. Listen to his discussion of the role food plays in our relationships, our communities and our memories here: Food and memory | CBC.ca

Indigenous Career Fair – An RBC Reaction by Collision Event: Thursday, March 21

Posted: February 21, 2024

Get your resume ready and join us for the Indigenous Career Fair in the North Gym at Notre Dame Campus on March 21^st from 12pm – 4pm.

Speak with employers from over 30 organizations representing various industries who have job openings and opportunities for Indigenous students and graduates. View the job listings online and learn about the kind of opportunities available to you! The Indigenous Career Fair will kick off with a panel of Indigenous professionals to discuss breaking into industry and navigating the job search.

The RBC Headshot Lounge, courtesy of RBC, will be open for you to take professional headshot photos for your LinkedIn and other bios.

A hot dog lunch will be available for attendees.

Keep an eye on Student News or subscribe to the Indigenous blog for up-to-date information and reminders for our events!

Thank you to RBC for their generous support of the Indigenous Career Fair – An RBC Reaction by Collision Event.

Career Fair Tips

If this is your first Career Fair or one of many you’ve been to, it’s better to be prepared ahead of time so you know what to expect! Knowing what you want will increase your chances of finding a career that fits you.

What should I wear?

There’s no dress code for the Indigenous Career Fair, so what you usually wear to class will work! T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, or button-up shirts with solid colours or simple patterns paired with jeans, pants, or skirts are usually what you might see at networking events like career fairs. Just keep in mind—you’re making a first impression with potential employers!

What should I bring?

The main things you’ll want to bring are your resume and an idea of what kind of job you want. Print a few copies of your resume in case you want to leave some with employers. Five to ten copies should be fine, but if you need to print more, printers are available throughout the campus that you can access using Paperclip.

The other thing you might want to bring is a notepad, in case there’s information you want to keep track of when you’re chatting with employers. We’ll provide pens at the registration desk, so we’ve got you covered!

I made a connection! What now?

Fantastic! You’ve hit it off with an employer, you left your resume with them, and they said they’d follow up; or, best-case scenario, they schedule an interview with you. What do you do now?

First thing’s first: get their contact information. It can be a general intake email or phone number, or the direct contact information of the hiring manager. Direct contact information with the hiring manager is better, since you’ll be able to address them by name in the follow-up.

Once the career fair is over, make the first move! The next day or the day after, send them an email or call to confirm the appointment if you’ve made one, or if not, just to thank them for their time at the career fair. Reference anything you might’ve talked about, and that will solidify you in their minds as a strong, interested, and confident candidate. If you didn’t get an interview at the career fair, this might just be the thing that tips the balance in your favour and land you that interview.

If that’s too bold for you, that’s okay too—just make sure that you remember their number, save it in your phone, or be open to calls from unknown numbers. It might be them following up with you!

Questions for Employers

You know what’s most important in a job for you, but here are some questions to get you started. These questions to ask employers can help you decide if you want to throw your hat in the ring for their job posting.

What position are you hiring for?

The most important answer for you to know.

You might know which positions you want, but then again you might not—it’s a good idea to go over your own skillset and to research roles you think you would be good at beforehand.

Even if the position sounds like it doesn’t align with your skillset, keep chatting! Be curious, find out what kind of person they want for the role. It might surprise you—you may actually have the right skillset, or they might ask for your resume to keep on file if a more fitting position opens up in the next few weeks or months. Every booth is an open door!

What responsibilities come with this role?

Usually this is the follow-up information when they tell you the title of the position. This information will help you determine if the role is aligned with your current skills and goals.

If only half of the responsibilities sound like things you know how to do, don’t worry! Organizations might have opportunities for their employees to develop professionally and may provide training for things you don’t know how to do yet. It can pay off in the end for an organization to train the employees they have or the employees they hire on (like you!), rather than continually look for someone that checks off all their boxes right off the bat. What’s valuable to them is your willingness to learn with them.

So, if you want to stand out, be honest! You don’t have to share what you can or can’t do right now, but if you snag an interview with them later, be honest about what you can do or have experience with. Even if you don’t check all their boxes, let them know that you’re willing to learn on the job! It gives them a sense of what to expect of you in that position and where they can help you grow, and what you can provide them with when you start (and so they aren’t overloading you with things you don’t know how to do yet).

What is the pay rate?

Pay is a huge factor when considering your job options. If they don’t volunteer this information, don’t be shy to ask! Everybody needs to know what their compensation will look like to know if they want to pursue an opportunity.

A good thing to know when deciding if a wage or salary is sufficient for you, a living wage in Winnipeg is $18.35 an hour full-time (or $36,700 annually) for both parents of a family of four, according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives as of August 2022. (Living wage means to be able to pay off all your expenses like groceries and bills from month to month.)

A lot of employers will say the pay varies, but generally they’ll give you a range like $40,000 – $45,000 a year, which is something you can negotiate when you get to the interview part of the hiring process. It’ll depend on what you ask for and your qualifications.

What are the benefits?

This will depend on the hours of the job. If it is full-time, salaried, then there will usually be benefits like dental coverage, eyecare coverage, mental health care coverage, among others. Positions that are not full-time will have limited additional benefits.

Coverage means the organization will reimburse the cost up to a specified amount each year. For example, you could claim up to $1000.00 per year in coverage for mental health services like therapy or psychological evaluations. They will pay up to $1000.00 to your provider, and after that amount, you will be responsible for the costs.

Another way organizations might cover your benefits is providing a certain percentage for each instance you use a covered service. For example, your employer might cover 80% of your dental cleaning service, so you only have to pay the remaining 20%.

Organizations will often use a third-party service, like Blue Cross or Canada Life. They’ll go over your benefit coverage in more detail once you’ve been hired on.

What’s your favourite part about working for this organization?

Anyone who enjoys their career and is trying to get new people on their team will love this question! Knowing what current employees like about their jobs can help you decide if the job and organization has potential to meet your expectations.

Asking a personal question like this is a great way to make a connection with people at the booths. It shows interest in the organization and the people that manage it. This question also serves a practical purpose: knowing why current employees like their organization might sell you on that organization too!

We’re looking forward to seeing you at the 2024 Indigenous Career Fair – An RBC Reaction by Collision Event! Students can register ahead of time for a chance to win awesome prizes!

Culinary Skills (Indigenous) Instructor featured on The Current

Posted: February 16, 2024

Chef Patrick Anderson was recently featured on The Current, a podcast from the CBC.

Chef Patrick discusses how his class learns to think differently about the ingredients in the local environments around them, the food they currently eat, and how integrating traditional ingredients can be a strong way to engage with culture and be cognizant of health impacts.

Listen to the episode here.

Calling All Past Indigenous Pathway Program Students!

Posted: February 14, 2024

As a past Pathway Program student, you’re invited to join us for lunch in the Indigenous Support Centre F209 at Notre Dame Campus to meet other Pathway progression students and reconnect with the supports and faculty in the School of Indigenous Education. Be part of a community of Indigenous trailblazers and continue to build your network of peers.

Date: Tuesday, February 27

Time: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Location: Indigenous Support Centre F209, Notre Dame Campus

If you’re interested in attending, please RSVP by emailing Terri-Lynn, Navigation Coach, at tlanderson@rrc.ca.

Know of any other Pathway students in your program? Invite them to join the lunch! Pathway graduates from all years are welcome. Charcuterie, dainties and refreshments will be served.

Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award: Application deadline February 26, 2024

Posted: February 5, 2024

General RRC Polytech Application Required

Mínwastánikéwin is a Cree word that means ‘to set it right.’

The deadline to submit applications for the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award has been extended to February 26, 2024.

Information sessions on submitting applications will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 13 in F209 at NDC and on Wednesday, Feb. 14 in P407 at EDC from 12pm – 1pm. Learn more about what to include in the one-page essay and how to submit a General RRC Polytech Application. No registration required.

The Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award was made possible through collaboration between Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement, College & Public Relations and the Campus Store. The award is funded by the generous support of RRC Polytech students, staff and faculty through campaigns at the RRC Polytech Campus Store that bring awareness to Truth and Reconciliation and Indigenous-led initiatives such as Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People Day of Honour and Awareness.

In 2023, the Orange Shirt was designed by Cree artist Leticia Spence, the design of which incorporates motifs from First Nations, Métis and Inuit art. The Red Shirt was created by Métis artist Shayre Curé, which features the iconic handprint over a woman’s mouth to pay homage to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People.

“[The award] represents a lot of resilience in Indigenous People, it’s not only just me—there’s a lot of people that have been through similar things. You can overcome that. You can still pursue your dreams as long as you put your mind to it.”
– Rebecca Choken, 2023 Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award recipient.

We know that over the last 150 years, 150,000 Indigenous children attended Canadian Residential Schools. We know that 90% of children in Manitoba’s foster care system are Indigenous and more than one-third of Winnipeg’s Indigenous population, nearly 70,000 people, live in poverty. We also know that despite making up almost 17% of the provincial population, Indigenous peoples are typically underrepresented in post-secondary institutions.

This award is for Indigenous full-time students. Recipients will be selected based on an essay response on what Truth and Reconciliation means to them. To be eligible, applicants are required to submit a General RRC Polytech Application, proof of Indigenous heritage, and a one-page essay submission. The deadline for applications is February 26, 2024. Completed application forms should be submitted by email to financialaid@rrc.ca.

For more information about the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award, see the Awards, Bursaries, and Scholarships Catalogue.

Last year, the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award was awarded to two recipients: Rebecca Choken and Wendy Monias.

Information Sessions: 12pm – 1pm
NDC – F209 – Tuesday, Feb. 13
EDC – P407 – Wednesday, Feb. 14

Meet the new Event & Facility Rental Coordinator!

Posted: February 1, 2024

The Indigenous Student Supports Team is pleased to welcome the new Event & Facility Rental Coordinator for the School of Indigenous Education—Sara McIvor-Prouty.

Sara is a Red River Métis woman and a registered member of the Manitoba Métis Federation. Sara is a mother, auntie, medicine grower, tea harvester and maker, and found-item and ceramics artist. Sara’s maternal grandparents were of Irish and Hungarian descent. Her Métis dad grew up in Carman, Manitoba, with roots in Îlet De Bois. His parents were both from Métis families that span generations.

She has a Recreation and Community Leadership Diploma from University College of the North (previously Keewatin Community College).

Sara is a returning staff member (Indigenous Centre Coordinator), Graduation Pow Wow organizer and was a member of the Medicine Wheel Garden, RRC Daycare and Graduation committee member.

Sara brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise with 7 years at FortWhyte Farms guiding Indigenous youth from all over Winnipeg, leading various programming connecting youth to the land and helped to create a medicine garden classroom. While at Ndinawe, she brought together culture and recreation in Winnipeg’s North End and spent 6 years in Family and Youth Special Projects on the land, online and in ceremony.

She is so excited to bring her experience and to be back joining the college family!

Welcoming Grandmother Ivy Chaske

Posted: January 25, 2024

The School of Indigenous Education and RRC Polytech are excited to welcome Grandmother Elder Ivy Chaske to our community! Grandmother Ivy will be joining the Indigenous Student Support Team once a week to provide additional support to Indigenous students.

Join us in the Indigenous Support Centre P407 at Exchange District Campus on Wednesday, Jan. 31 for a come-and-go Meet and Greet with Grandmother Ivy any time between 3pm and 4pm. Drop by the centre for a chat and some coffee as your schedule allows.

Wednesday, Jan. 31
3pm – 4pm
P407, Indigenous Support Centre, Exchange District Campus

A message from Grandmother Ivy Chaske:

Grandmother Elder Ivy was born full blood Dakota. She has family ties in Sioux Valley First Nation & married into Sayisi Dené First Nation. She was raised in a Traditional Family & Community.

Grandmother Elder Ivy fought her way through residential school and is known as a Warrior by her family. She ran away from residential school to Winnipeg where she joined others who had also run away from the residential school. Grandmother Elder Ivy has survived the streets & gang life found here in Winnipeg.

She completed High School & attended the University of Manitoba. She is not one to care about colonial acceptance of her intelligence. She strongly believes that Indigenous people do not need colonial certification of their intellect & capabilities.

She has committed her life to working for her people and to build an urban community for our children & grandchildren. She is very proud of all the work she has done, especially the first annual walk for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women. She helped found many organizations & has worked for Schools, Post-Secondary Institutions and has given guidance to Health Educations & various Government Departments.

As a Grandmother, she is committed to supporting youth who face many barriers & the individuals who also support our young people. This work has given her hope for the future & a belief that our young people will change the world!

Ribbon Skirt Day 2024

Posted: January 3, 2024

As of 2022, January 4 has been recognized as National Ribbon Skirt Day in Canada. Senator Mary Jane McCallum was inspired to put forth a bill in 2021 to officially recognize the day after a young Indigenous woman was told her ribbon skirt “did not meet the formal requirements” during a school event.

Today, we honour the history of the ribbon skirt, which is traditionally worn in ceremonies and at special events by Indigenous women. The ribbon skirt, with its unique patterns and colours, represents the identity, diversity and strength of the person wearing it.

Acknowledging National Ribbon Skirt Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the importance of Indigenous traditions and culture, which for decades were banished through colonialism and assimilation policies.

Ribbon Skirt Craft Workshop

Students and staff are invited to join Sara McIvor-Prouty for a Ribbon Skirt Craft Workshop, today from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. in the Indigenous Student Support Centre, F209, Notre Dame Campus. All supplies will be provided. Registration not required; spots will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

For any questions about the workshop, please email Sara at smcivor@rrc.ca.