On October 11, thanks to a generous sponsorship from IG Wealth Management, Indigenous high school students had the opportunity to participate in RRC Polytech’s ACE IT Camp at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, where they learned how they could apply an education in information technology into future careers.

The day-long camp began with a smudge and a sharing circle, where students connected and set intentions for the day ahead. Brenton Wilson, a previous Pathway to IT Programs student now enrolled in Application Development and Delivery, presented an introduction to programming concepts using a Sphero Ball – a small robot that allowed participants to practice basic coding commands, such as guiding it along a specific path or programming it to change light colors at intervals. IG Wealth Management played a key role in inspiring students through a presentation on how they can unlock their potential in IT. The day included a panel discussion featuring industry professionals and RRC Polytech IT students, who shared insights into their own career journeys and opportunities in the tech field.

“The students loved the hands-on activities and the chance to be on campus. It was very valuable for them to hear from current students and staff involved in the program – I think it opened their minds to the variety of IT options across all fields of work and the experience showed them the versatility that a career in IT provides,” said Hailey Skrumeda, teacher, Southeast Collegiate.

Students were eager to explore how learning coding and understanding hardware could be applied to their everyday lives – one student shared that having a basic understanding could help them repair console controllers or more efficiently search for documents online.

Technology touches nearly every part of our daily lives – whether it’s apps, social media, or tech products, IT professionals are behind the tools and innovations that shape our world. By pursuing a career in IT, students become part of a vital and ever-growing industry that drives change in almost every aspect of modern life.

RRC Polytech is committed to ensuring that Indigenous students have equitable access to post-secondary education across all industries, which includes providing opportunities to engage with Indigenous professionals in real-world settings. The ACE IT Camp powered by IG Wealth Management not only introduced students to the diverse possibilities in tech, but also showcased the strength of Indigenous students as influential role models.

Through our shared commitment with IG Wealth Management, we are prepared to foster inclusivity in tech, create pathways for future Indigenous leaders, and demonstrate how collaboration can open doors to meaningful opportunities to inspire the next generation. IG Wealth Management continuously supports Indigenous learners through the IG Wealth Management Empower Your Tomorrow Scholarship and Career Development Program at the College. This support reduces the financial burden to students while helping them learn in team settings, build leadership skills and confidence, develop academic and job skills, and gain work experience with IG Wealth.

Learn more about the IG Wealth Management Empower Your Tomorrow Program here.

Learn more about RRC Polytech’s Pathway programs for Indigenous students here.

Throughout the month of January 2025, First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Métis and Inuit learners are invited to submit one free application to any RRC Polytech program.

You are welcome to send this information to anyone who may be interested in this promotion.

Applicants that self-declare as First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Métis or Inuit will have the application fee and seat deposit waived for any RRC Polytech program – every person is eligible for one free application to any program and any intake. With over 150 programs to choose from, learners can find the perfect program to fit their needs and provide the credential needed to start a career.

Applying is easy. Review the admission requirements for your program of choice and submit your application online or in-person.

Future learners: need more information on where to start? Check out our website for more information or get in touch with the Indigenous Admissions Advisor. The advisor will review program information, program options, and admissions requirements, and connect you with helpful resources and services.

Note: Health Sciences programs such as Nursing or Ultrasound have multiple admission requirements that need to be met before applying to these programs. Please contact the Indigenous Admissions Advisor for further details.

Upcoming Information Sessions

Indigenous Free Application Events

Join us for Indigenous Free Application Events held from 3 – 7 pm in January at the Indigenous Student Support Centres. Our staff will be available to provide information on the RRC Polytech programs, admissions requirements, the application process, and the resources and services available to you. Connect with our Indigenous student support team to explore how you can achieve your educational and career goals. These events do not require registration and you may drop in at any time.

F209, Notre Dame Campus, 3pm – 7pm

• Thursday, January 9
• Thursday, January 16
• Thursday, January 30

P407, Exchange District Campus, 3pm – 7pm

• Thursday, January 23

Health Sciences Admission Requirements Events

Join us for information sessions to learn more about RRC Polytech’s Nursing, Medical Radiologic Technology, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Ultrasound, and Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography – Echocardiography programs. This information will include a program overview, admission requirements, how to apply and much more.

All sessions will take place in the Black Lecture Theatre at Notre Dame Campus at 6pm.

Allied Health Sciences

• Wednesday, December 4, 6pm
• Wednesday, January 15, 6pm

Bachelor of Nursing

• Wednesday, December 11, 6pm
• Wednesday, January 29, 6pm

Explore all programs on our website.

Skip the search – here are entry-level programs currently accepting applications for Fall 2025 (no previous industry experience required!):

Business and entrepreneurship

• Pathway to Business, Creative Communications and Digital Technology Programs
• Administrative Assistant
• Applied Accounting
• Business Administration
• Commerce Industry Sales and Marketing
• Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Professional Photography

Education and community support

• Disability and Community Support
• Educational Assistant
• Social Innovation and Community Development
• Therapeutic Recreation Facilitator for Older Adults

Healthcare and Safety

• Health Care Aide
• Health Information Management
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Pharmaceutical and Food Manufacturing

Technology and Trades

• Pathway to Information Technology Programs
• Pathway to Engineering Technology
• Automotive Technician
• Civil Engineering Technology
• Electrical Engineering Technology
• Introduction to Electrical Engineering Technology
• Marine and Powersports Technician
• Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Science Laboratory Technology

Manufacturing and Machine-Learning

• Aerospace Manufacturing
• Manufacturing CAD
• Data Science and Machine Learning

*Term and seat availability are subject to change.

Check out our website for more information or get in touch with the Indigenous Admissions Advisor. The advisor will review program information, program options, and admissions requirements, and connect you with helpful resources and services.  

Thanks to the generous support of CWB Financial Group, RRC Polytech is offering Anishinaabemowin courses to help you connect with your cultural roots at no cost. Whether you’re just starting out with Introduction to Anishinaabemowin or looking to deepen your knowledge in Conversational Anishinaabemowin, these face-to-face classes are the perfect opportunity to learn from a fluent instructor and engage with fellow learners. Strengthen your connection to the Anishinaabe culture, develop meaningful relationships, and build a strong foundation in the language – all in a supportive and immersive environment.

Introduction to Anishinaabemowin starts on Jan. 8, 2025, and runs every Wednesday evening 5pm – 8pm until April 23, 2025. Conversational Anishinaabemowin starts in May 2025.

Check out the program page for more information and to register.

On behalf of Elder-In-Residence Paul Guimond, we are pleased to invite you to our Winter Solstice Celebration and Pipe Ceremony on Friday, December 6. This time of year can be challenging for many, and this event offers an opportunity to speak, listen, heal, and rest. The Winter Solstice typically occurs on December 21 – the shortest day of the year – but we invite everyone to gather with us on December 6 before the term comes to a close.

Join us for a Pipe Ceremony in the Indigenous Support Centre at 10am, followed by a short walk down to the wiigiyam (tiipii) to the north outside of F Building for the Sacred Fire Offering. Please dress warmly for the weather. At 12pm, we will Feast together in the Indigenous Support Centre.

Date:     Friday, December 6

Time:     10:00 am – Pipe Ceremony, followed by the Sacred Fire Offering

               12:00 pm – Feast

If you have any questions, please contact Sara McIvor-Prouty, Events Coordinator, at smcivor@rrc.ca

No registration is required – everyone is welcome.

Come celebrate the holidays with laughter, cheer, and gingerbread decorating! Bring your family and friends for an evening of holiday joy and exciting activities.

Gingerbread House Decorating
Show off your decorating skills! Gingerbread houses and supplies included.

Prizes & Food Provided
Enjoy holiday treats, warm beverages, and the chance to win fun prizes.

Date: Thursday, December 5th, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Indigenous Support Centre F209, Notre Dame Campus

Registration Required: Register now as spots are limited!
Sign up by emailing: Haley Pratt, navigation coach, at hpratt2@rrc.ca

It wasn’t until 1994, when Indigenous veterans and their families began advocating for recognition, that Canadian society became aware of the mistreatment Indigenous soldiers faced upon returning home. During wartime, Canada took vast amounts of reserve lands, some of which were granted as farmland to non-Indigenous veterans in recognition of their service. Meanwhile, Indigenous veterans were frequently denied the full veterans’ benefits and support programs offered to their non-Indigenous counterparts. In some cases, they were even pressured to “enfranchise”—a process in which they could gain Canadian citizenship and its associated rights, but only if they relinquished their Indian Status and cultural identities.

Today, Indigenous people are celebrated and acknowledged at all levels for their contributions to Canada’s military history. On November 8th, hundreds of ceremonies and vigils are held across the country to honor and reflect on the Indigenous experience in the Canadian military.

To recognize, acknowledge, respect and remember what Indigenous veterans did for our country, we are gifting staff & students commemorative pins. 

Pins can be picked up from the Notre Dame Campus Indigenous Student Support Center (F205).

Stop by 12:00pm-2:00pm to collect your pin.

Last year, VP, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development Jamie Wilson shared his experiences in the Canadian and American militaries, which you can read here on the blog.

Learn more about National Indigenous Veterans’ Day on the Library blog or check out these resources:

• Indigenous Veterans – Veterans Affairs Canada
• First Nations in Canada (rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca)
• Civilization.ca – History of the Vote – Chronicle, A spotlight on 1920-1997 (historymuseum.ca)
• Why some Indigenous people chose to go to war for Canada | Folio (ualberta.ca)
• Indigenous Veterans Day Resource (trentu.ca)
• Support for Veterans (legion.ca)

In 2006, the Inuit Circumpolar Council established November 7 as International Inuit Day. More than 70,000 Inuit people live in Canada, with 69 percent living within Inuit Nunangat, northern Canada, composed of four distinct regions, Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, Nunavut and Inuvialuit.

Manitoba is home to the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq, which has one of the world’s largest collections of contemporary Inuit art, bringing close to 5,000 stone carvings to light in its visible vault. Explore the stunning collection of Inuit art in the heart of downtown Winnipeg – the first floor (includes the visible vault) is always FREE to visit.

International Inuit Day is also a time to recognize how the way of life continues to change for Inuit peoples as the landscape literally and figuratively transforms. Read A balancing act between the two worlds: What it means to be Inuit, via Nunavut News.

In honour of National Inuit Day today, the Indigenous Supports Team is screening Ever Deadly in F209 This film weaves concert footage with stunning sequences filmed on location in Nunavut, seamlessly bridging landscapes, stories and songs with pain, anger and triumph—all through the expressions of Tanya Tagaq, one of the most innovative musical performers of our time.

This film discusses topics of trauma and abuse. Viewer discretion is advised.

Drop-in, Thursday, November 7, 2024 from 11:30am to 1 pm in the NDC F209.

The Mínwastánikéwin Award, named for the Cree word that means ‘to set it right’, was created in 2019 in partnership with RRC Polytech’s Campus Store during the first Truth and Reconciliation Week. Applicants were asked to write a one-page essay on what Truth and Reconciliation means to them as Residential and Day School Survivors and children of Survivors.

To this day, you might hear the words ‘Residential School legacy.’

‘Legacy’ is a Western concept, which means: ‘something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.’

Countless Indigenous people have inherited the impacts that Residential Schools have had on parents, grandparents and great-grandparents – a legacy that none of them asked for.

Indigenous men, women, and Two Spirit people are uprooting the intergenerational cycles that were planted by the Residential School system.

Indigenous people are reclaiming their places in power.

Families are creating bright futures for their children.

Indigenous students are achieving their goals and finding ways to give back to their communities. They are creating new legacies for themselves, their children, and their communities.

The Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award is named for the Ininimowin word that means “to set it right.”

As a post-secondary educational institution, RRC Polytech recognizes the role it plays in righting those wrongs. Every year, the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award is offered to Indigenous students who are willing to relate their experiences to Truth and Reconciliation and what it means to them.

Thanks to the generous support of the RRC Polytech community, funds for the Mínwastánikéwin Award are sourced from sales of original RRC Polytech Orange and Red shirts at the Campus Store.  Enough shirts were sold last year to support the award going to two students.

Peggy Guimond, a recent graduate of the Business Accounting and Management program, says she was motivated to apply for the award by the memory of her late grandfather, whom was a Residential School Survivor and witnessed the government’s apology issued in Ottawa in 2008.

“It still makes me emotional, thinking of my late grandfather being a Survivor. If he wasn’t one, I wouldn’t be here today,” said Guimond.

The impacts of colonial systems have affected her family for generations. From her grandfather’s experience in Residential School, to her mother attending day school, and her dad, a 60s Scoop Survivor, many people in her family did not get to grow up with their families in their own culture and teachings – something she is committed to changing.

Guimond says that she fostered several children and adopted her niece and nephew out of the Child and Family Services system – the same system which she had grown up in and aged out of. Though she calls herself a success story coming out of the system, she is familiar with the support young people need today and is determined to give back to her community by supporting them in an environment where they are loved and their culture is welcomed and celebrated.

She says being able to grow and get educated in her community was the greatest experience she had – one that was not afforded to her relatives, but one she wants to ensure younger generations would be able to experience once again.

Finding out she was a recipient of the Mínwastánikéwin Award pulled at her heartstrings, she said. Because of the award, she was able to complete her program with no financial barriers and she could focus on her family – something she is extremely grateful for.

These systems have shaped Guimond’s family for a long time, including her own experiences in the child welfare system, but she is breaking that cycle and finding ways to support the young people in her family so those impacts, and that legacy, don’t continue any further.

Camille Munro is a Nursing student from Winnipeg with status in Fox Lake Cree Nation and familial roots in Churchill, Manitoba. Her own family has been deeply impacted by the 60’s Scoop – of her thirteen aunties and uncles, twelve were taken and placed in foster care or adopted out to white families. Some of them had run away from those homes and they eventually found each other, which Munro credits to their resilience and determination.

Because of their will to find each other again, Munro grew up with her cousins – an opportunity she says she wouldn’t have had otherwise. Today, her own children are growing up alongside their cousins and relatives in a big, tight-knit family, which Munro says is something the whole family takes pride in.

As she got older, she began to truly understand the impacts that Residential and Day Schools had on her family and the way those impacts affected their experiences. When she started learning about her family and her culture later in her life, she came to know the extent of the impacts of the unresolved trauma in her family. She herself attended several different schools as a child, including a Christian private school and a Catholic private school, and later struggled with substance abuse as an adult.

She started her sobriety journey eight years ago when she began learning more about her culture, and she practiced the knowledge her mom gave her – she participated in Ceremony, learned teachings from Elders, and engaged in a lot of self-reflection on how to move her life forward in a good way.

Her biological mother passed away in January of this year when Munro had been recovering from her own major surgery in December – she was managing funeral expenses and the sacred fire for her mother all while juggling assignments and exams at school during her recovery period. Finances were tighter for her than they ever were. She says the award came to her at a time when she really needed support.

Munro is a single parent to four children and became a young mom at 18. She’s the sole provider for her children, so any financial support she earns goes to her family. She says funds like these are what keep the lights on in her home and food in the cupboard while she’s attending school full time.

Munro says her family has been invaluable to her journey. Her kids have been huge supports for her academic journey – her eldest daughter is her right hand and Munro says there’s no way she could have done it without her help. Her father passed away in June, and she says it’s been challenging to deal with the grief, but she pushes through it all with the support of her family.

Munro is chasing her dream of becoming a nurse and says she made a lot of connections during her time at the College. She gravitated towards her Indigenous peers who had shared a lot of common experiences, and her instructors were incredibly supportive of their academic journeys.

“We need to take up more space in these places – we have to fight, but it doesn’t mean we don’t belong there. I have my ancestors behind me. I want people to know that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Use medicine, take care of yourself, go to Sweats. Learn about your family, your traditions – learn to be proud of your heritage and culture, take back your identity and learn your truth. You don’t have to wait,” said Munro.

Guimond and Munro, and many other Indigenous students, have faced barriers that so many others don’t even have to think about when they decide to go to school. That is why awards like this exist. It is an acknowledgement of those barriers and a response to “set it right.”

Getting an education on their terms and taking power back is how Guimond and Munro are ensuring that the future is better for themselves and their communities, their young people and their loved ones.

RRC Polytech recognizes its role as an education institution to advance Truth and Reconciliation and is honoured to support these two recipients and all Indigenous learners in their academic journeys.

To learn more about the Mínwastánikéwin Award, see the Awards, Bursaries and Scholarships catalogue.

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 is January 31, 2025.

An information session on submitting applications will take place on November 13 in P407 at EDC from 12pm – 1pm. The information session at NDC was on October 24 in F209. 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 students, staff and faculty through campaigns at the RRC 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 and Girls Honouring and Awareness Day.

In 2024, the Orange Shirt was designed by Anishininew artist Erin Ringland, the design of which features a family of loons to represent a story about family. 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.

“We need to take up more space in these places – we have to fight, but it doesn’t mean we don’t belong there. I have my ancestors behind me. I want people to know that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Use medicine, take care of yourself, go to Sweats. Learn about your family, your traditions – learn to be proud of your heritage and culture, take back your identity and learn your truth. You don’t have to wait.” – Camille Munro, 2024 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. And 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 Application, proof of Indigenous heritage, and a one-page essay submission. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2025.  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: Camille Munro and Peggy Guimond.

Information Sessions: 12pm – 1pm

• EDC – P407 – November 13
• NDC – F209 – October 24

Please join us for our annual Welcome Back Celebration

Meet our team of Indigenous Supports

October 16 | 10am – 2pm

F209, Notre Dame Campus

• Headliner 12-1 pm Paul Rabliauskas (Comedian, Actor and Creator of Acting Good)
• Minute to win it prizes!
• Transport from EDC to NDC and return available

Transport from EDC to NDC and return available

P407, Exchange District Campus

• Entertainment, Pizza, Games and Prizes

Paul Rabliauskas is an accomplished stand-up comedian, writer and actor. He’s performed in theatres and festivals across Canada including Oddblock Comedy Festival, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs, Just For Laughs Northwest and the Artic Comedy Festival.
In July 2021 Paul taped his first stand up special at the Just For Laughs Festival that was released on CRAVE TV. His debut television series, Acting Good airs on CTV Comedy Channel and APTN.