Orange Shirt Day (September 30) is an official day to honour and build awareness of residential school survivors.

The Original Orange Shirt

Phyllis Webstad describes her first day at the residential school:

“When I got to the Mission, they stripped me, and took away my clothes, including the orange shirt! I never wore it again. I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t give it back to me, it was mine! The color orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.” 

–Phyllis Webstad, Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation
(Source: orangeshirtday.org)

Because of this story and the mistreatment it represents, the orange shirt has become a permanent symbol of remembrance for residential school survivors. According to The Orange Shirt Day Act, September 30 now officially bears the name “Orange Shirt Day.”

>> Read more: Phyllis’s Story: The Original Orange Shirt

The Orange Shirt Day Video Collection

AV Services Presents The Orange Shirt Day Video Collection (photo credit: NFB.ca)

AV Services has curated a collection of videos to honour Orange Shirt Day, now on display outside AV Services in the Library. For your convenience, many of these titles are streamed and available to you anywhere, anytime, on any device (RRC staff or student log in required).

View the list of titles here >> The Orange Shirt Day Video Collection

In honour of THRIVE WEEK, AV Services (NDC) has curated a selection of video resources to help you thrive.

Image source: pixabay.com

Laugh Away Your Stress with Richard Condie

One of the best known remedies for stress is laughter. Richard Condie’s award-winning animations are sure to do the trick. These films are available through the Library’s subscription to NFB.ca (RRC network log in required).

THE BIG SNIT (9 min) This poignant and hilarious animated film perfectly captures the intersection of a domestic quarrel and a global nuclear war.

PIGBIRD (3 min) This animated short tells the zany story of a cagey citizen’s success at getting a forbidden “animal” through customs and the disastrous results that follow.

OH SURE (1 min)  Here is a lesson in how to make a fool of oneself easily and effectively. Two gentlemen are involved: one who wishes to read his newspaper and another who insists on performing acrobatic feats.

THE APPRENTICE (9 min) In this animated short, an old fool meets a young fool at a crossroads. The young fool skips blindly down the wrong road, and the old fool must then teach his young apprentice about the consequences.

JOHN LAW and the MISSISSIPPI BUBBLE (9 min) This animated short offers up a history lesson about one of the most sensational get-rich-quick schemes that took place in France over 200 years ago.

GETTING STARTED (12 min) This hilarious short animated film stars a man who procrastinates. Our hero attempts to practice a piece of music on the piano, but distractions get in the way. When he finally sits down to play, pandemonium breaks loose.

LA SALLA (8 min) In this animated short, the classic tale of temptation is revealed in the form of a comic opera. In a room full of wind-up toys, our hero sets a chain of events into motion that ends up disturbing both his own, and the viewer’s, sense of reality.

Videos on Display at NDC Library, AV Services

BEHIND THE MASK Anxiety levels among teens have increased by more than 30 percent in the last decade. The stories told in the video offer a perspective on how to manage the pressure and anxiety in life.

BRAIN GAINS: BETTER GRADES THROUGH FITNESS The National visits an inner city high school in Saskatoon, SK, where one teacher went out on a limb to test the theory that vigorous daily exercise improves academic performance. Also available online.

BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM: YOU’VE GOT THE POWER Good self-esteem gives you the power to deal with changes, pressures and influences in your life. A positive self image also means healthier relationships and better success in school or on the job. Viewers will learn 9 steps to building self-esteem.

EXPRESSION AND HEALING THROUGH ART The Seekers explore what arts and culture mean to them and all Aboriginal people. Regardless of the medium, art has the power to heal us socially, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

GOOD NIGHT: WITH THE SLEEP DOCTOR Dr. Michael Breus explains how genes, environment, job habits, and physiology may hamper sleep and thus dramatically affect waking life. He shows that getting proper quality and quantity of sleep can help rejuvenate the mind and body, improve sex life, increase energy, and help a person lose weight and look younger.

HAPPINESS Go on a journey of joy! Learn how contentment contributes to obesity and yet, is the one sentiment that motivates us to live. Discover the results of a World Happiness Report, which offers insight into the age-old question: are poor people happier than rich ones? Behavioural experts explain how we can be trained to experience happiness. Also available online.

PREVENTING AND MANAGING STRESS Learn from experts about the causes of stress and how to lessen its negative impacts.

SLEEPLESS EPIDEMIC: PRACTICAL STEPS TO HELP ADOLESCENTS GET THE SLEEP THEY NEED This program, hosted by Sleepless in America author Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, Ed. D, helps teens identify sleep deprivation and understand its risks while providing strategies for getting more sleep.

STRESS: PORTRAIT OF A KILLER Stanford University neurobiologist, Robert Sapolsky, has been advancing our understanding of stress – how it impacts our bodies and how our social standing can make us more or less susceptible. Understanding how stress works can help us figure out ways to combat it and how to live a life free of the tyranny of this contemporary plague. Also available online.

TIME MANAGEMENT Over the course of this three-section program, viewers will learn to side-step common time-management errors and plan out their semesters so they can take control of their time and enjoy a healthy work/life balance.

UNSTRESS FOR SUCCESS  A little bit of stress has positive effect… high levels of continued stress is quite harmful. Discusses the implications of stress on health and disease. Provides hilarious ways to reduce stress in your daily routine. Also available online.

VALUES AND GOALS This three-section program combines commentary from educators and students with in-class exercise segments to explore the meaning of values and goals and illustrate how they steer and shape a person’s life–in college and beyond.

WIRED DIFFERENTLY Current studies show that approximately 20 percent of all students suffer from a mental, emotional or behavioral health issue. The insights in this 15 minute video will help you and your staff adopt these five keys to working with students with mental wellness challenges.

Need Assistance?

For assistance with the Library’s video resources, please contact AV Services at 204-632-2231 or media@rrc.ca.

In the Holiday Spirit

For many of us, the holiday season is associated with eating and entertaining, celebrating with friends and family and going to parties. RRC Library’s “In the Holiday Spirit” series highlights resources from RRC Library’s collection that honour these festivities. 

Happy holidays! The staff at RRC Library wish you a relaxing and enjoyable holiday season. Below are some festive films to cozy up to on a cold winter night. (RRC network log in may be required.)

Seasonal Films from NFB

From Naughty to Nice

“This short film, featuring the work of the internationally-renowned Old Trout Puppet Workshop, is a playful cautionary tale about the consequences of selfishness and greed. The film’s greedy boy-king, Santa Claus, has everything he could ever want, including a castle brimming with toys, but the path of the greedy has only one end: to wind up alone, without a single friend. Santa only wants more and more—until he discovers the gift of giving.” (Source: NFB Website)

NFB’s Ho Ho Holidays Channel

Enjoy the holidays with the National Film Board’s own fun collection of family films.

Jingle Bell Rocks!

“Starring an eclectic cast of characters – musicians, DJs composers, collectors & critics – plus two dozen amazing & original songs, Jingle Bell Rocks! is a trippy, cinematic sleigh ride into the strange & sublime universe of alternative Christmas music. Featuring: Run DMC, The Flaming Lips, Bob Dorough and Miles Davis, and many more!” (Source: NFB Website)

Seasonal Films from Curio.ca

The Secret of the Nutcracker

“This delightful Christmas tale tells the story of 12-year-old Clara’s mystical journey on Christmas Eve to find her father who is fighting as a pilot in World War II. She receives unexpected help from the mysterious Drosselmeyer who befriends Clara and encourages her to believe that she can create magic. The Secret of The Nutcracker is directed by Eric Till and features the music of Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and John Estacio, performed by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.” (Source. Curio.ca)

Walter and Tandoori’s Xmas

“It is just before Christmas in the village of Hart’s Landing and an ominous shadow threatens the tiny town. That’s right, Bill Counter, a wealthy, unscrupulous businessman, is building a huge department store right in the middle of town. With a thousand tricks up his sleeve, nothing appears to be able to stop him. “Buy, Buy and Always Buy” seem to be his favorite refrain. But after he makes friends with Walter and Tandoori, they are quick to realize the dishonest nature of dear Bill Counter! A major challenge awaits our hero Walter. With the help of his faithful sidekick Tandoori, he must save the village whose quality of life is being severely tested.” (Source: Curio.ca)

The Nativity

“Ideal for Religious Studies, The Nativity is not simply a retelling of the story of the birth of Jesus. Shot over two years in Morocco, this visually stunning international production explores the search of the Magi, the tyranny of Herod, and the earthly troubles of lowly shepherds. But at its heart, it is about two people — Mary, a young girl frightened by the momentous gift bestowed upon her, and Joseph, the kind man who loves her, but struggles to accept his own role in the greatest story ever told. The Nativity brings the story to life, rooting the action in a world we can all recognize and understand more than two millennia after the star first shone over the stable in Bethlehem.” (Source: Curio.ca)

Have a question? Contact Library staff > Click here

CBC News in Review is a news feature that analyzes the top 4 CBC News stories every month, from September through April and provides a 15-minute documentary for each topic. Crafted for students, but appropriate for curious minds of all ages, this series gives you deeper insight into current events as they are happening. Check out the News in Review, October edition by clicking on the images below (RRC network log in required).

News in Review, October Edition

 U.S. Election 2016: Trump and the Evolution of the GOP

“U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is a strong contender for the White House. To his supporters he is a self-made man who tells it like it is. To his detractors he uses paranoia and personal attacks to make impact statements lacking credibility. His style and tactics have polarized the “Grand Ole Party” with many Republicans coming out against him. …” (from News in Review | Current Edition on CBC Curio.ca)

The Cross Lake Experiment: Reaching Indigenous Kids

“Suicide rates among Indigenous youth in Canada, who are five to six times more likely to take their own lives than non-Indigenous teens, are reaching epidemic proportions. The CBC’s Nick Purdon follows cultural awareness teacher Kerry Muswagon on a goose hunt with students from Mikisew school in Cross Lake, Manitoba. He believes if he teaches the students about their culture, …” (from News in Review | Current Edition on CBC Curio.ca)

Syrian Refugees: Resettling the Farwans

“In late 2015 to 2016, Canada opened its doors to more than 31,000 Syrian refugees fleeing their war-torn homeland. Many newcomers left everything behind to get their family to safety. The Farwans are one such family who resettled in Lethbridge, Alberta. Mother, father and eight children are starting life over in a foreign land. The CBC’s Adrienne Arsenault spent time …” (from News in Review | Current Edition on CBC Curio.ca)

Black Lives Matter: Activism in the Face of Racism in the U.S.

“The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement was formed in 2013 to bring attention to the plight of black people in America and to campaign against violence and systemic racism. African-Americans are five times more likely to be killed by police than white men in the U.S. The summer of 2016 saw still more black men shot by police. Activists responded …” (from News in Review | Current Edition on CBC Curio.ca)

Click here for more quality programming from CBC > CBC Curio.ca 

Are you a Nursing student? Would you like to learn how to find Peer-reviewed research articles for your Nursing assignments? Drop-in to the Notre Dame Campus Library on Friday 21 October 2016 from 1:00-1:45PM for a library instruction session.

• Who:  Any Nursing students in any year are welcome to attend the Library Instruction session on the CINAHL database for Nursing.
• What:  It will cover how to access CINAHL, what it is, why it is important, searching for articles, viewing patient care sheets and more.  Learn about our other databases for health research.
• When:  Friday, October 21st, 2016, 1 pm – 1:45 pm.
• Where:  Library Classroom, Library, room CM29
• Why:  Learn to find Peer-reviewed research articles for your Nursing assignments.

For any questions please contact Lynn Gibson at the Notre Dame Campus Library.

Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual national public education campaign designed to help open the eyes of Canadians to the reality of mental illness. The week was established in 1992 by the Canadian Psychiatric Association, and is now coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) in cooperation with all its member organizations and many other supporters across Canada.

One of MIAW’s major initiatives is the Faces of Mental Illness campaign, a national outreach campaign featuring the stories of Canadians living in recovery from mental illness. Thousands of pieces of MIAW posters, brochures, and bookmarks featuring the Faces are disseminated to hundreds of organizations across Canada in an effort to raise awareness and end the stigma associated with mental illness.

Learn More:
http://www.camimh.ca/mental-illness-awareness-week/about-miaw/

Notre Dame Campus Window Display

Check out the Notre Dame Campus Library window display, which highlights books and materials chosen to help you to learn more about this issue. To view a list of books in the window display click the link below:

http://library.rrc.ca/Search/Window-Display.aspx

The assignments are piling high, money is tight, and the deadlines just keep coming. When things get overwhelming, there are small things you can do to counteract the stress in your life. Below are simple ways to reduce stress, borrowed from the book Everything You Need to Know About Stress Management (Barbee 2012, 14-16):

1. Spend 10 minutes planning and organizing your day.

2. Record specific tasks in a to-do list, ranked in order of priority.

3. Tackle demanding tasks when you are most alert.

• Make the most of your own biological “prime time.” (i.e. are you a night owl, or a morning person?)

4. Conquer procrastination.

• Make a decision now, not later.
• Turn intimidating tasks into bearable ones by separating them into sub-tasks.

5. Learn to say “no.”

• Stay in control by blocking off time for important tasks, and saying no when you know it’s more than you can do.

6. Make use of idle time.

• When you are stuck waiting you can relax with deep breaths, read, get organized, make phone calls, check your to-do list, get focused on the next task, etc.

7. Deal with interruptions.

• Leave part of the day unscheduled to allow time for the unexpected.
• Avoid distractions when you need to focus.

8. Reward yourself.

• Give yourself goals, then reward yourself when you achieve them.

Look further:

Check out Red River College’s Student Success Website for various student supports and additional info on managing stress.

For more information on other resources at RRC Library, stop by the Library desk or contact our reference staff at:

• Notre Dame Campus Library: 204-632-2233 or library@rrc.ca
• Exchange District Campus Library: 204-949-8371 or pscref@rrc.ca

February is Black History Month in Canada, and you are invited to celebrate black Canadians – their experiences, stories, achievements and contributions. Below is a collection of videos from CBC’s Curio.ca and NFB intended to help commemorate Black History Month. (Note: Red River College Library subscribes to NFB Campus and Curio.ca. Log in may be required to view these videos.)

Black Soul (NFB)

“Martine Chartrand’s animated short dives into the heart of Black culture with an exhilarating trip through history. Watch as a young boy traces his roots through the stories his grandmother shares with him about the events that shaped their cultural heritage.” – NFB website

Book of Negroes (Curio.ca)*

“Based on the award-winning novel by Lawrence Hill, The Book of Negroes depicts the extraordinary life journey of Aminata Diallo, an indomitable African woman who cuts a swath through a world that is predisposed to underestimate her. Kidnapped by slave traders in West Africa and subsequently enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata must navigate her way through the American Revolution in New York, the isolated refuge given to Black Loyalists in Nova Scotia and the treacherous jungles of Sierra Leone, before ultimately securing her freedom in England at the dawn of the 19th century.” – Curio.ca

*Part of the Black History Month Collection on Curio.ca.

Journey to Justice (NFB)

“This documentary pays tribute to a group of Canadians who took racism to court. They are Canada’s unsung heroes in the fight for Black civil rights. Focusing on the 1930s to the 1950s, this film documents the struggle of 6 people who refused to accept inequality. Featured here, among others, are Viola Desmond, a woman who insisted on keeping her seat at a Halifax movie theatre in 1946 rather than moving to the section normally reserved for the city’s Black population, and Fred Christie, who took his case to the Supreme Court after being denied service at a Montreal tavern in 1936. These brave pioneers helped secure justice for all Canadians. Their stories deserve to be told.” – NFB website

The McCurdy Birthright (Curio.ca)*

“In the 1980s, Howard McCurdy was a feisty Member of Parliament from Windsor, the first black NDP MP and the only black person in the House of Commons at the time. He became known for his interest in civil rights, for people of all races and colours. It’s a passion he inherited from many McCurdys before him. The McCurdys settled in Amherstburg 150 years ago and became leaders in the struggle for equality. Nasa McCurdy Jr. was a church leader and a school trustee, a man at the centre of the oldest black community in Canada. He became an important figure in the Underground Railroad movement, helping black slaves escape from America.” – Curio.ca

*Part of the Black History Month Collection on Curio.ca.

Read more:

• Black History Month: An interview with Lawrence Hill (Canadian Museum of Human Rights)
• Black History in Canada (Canadian Encyclopedia) 

The month of February is all about affairs of the heart. This Valentine’s Day, while you are taking time to remember your sweetheart, always remember February is the month where the Heart and Stroke campaign asks you to remember the perils of heart disease.

February is Heart Month

Heart disease and stroke take one life every 7 minutes, and 90% of Canadians have at least one risk factor. Heart Month is the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s key opportunity to reach millions of Canadians in February and alert them to the risks of heart disease and stroke. Volunteers are the face and the voice of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Heart Month is a critical time when we depend on you to share our message.

In February, the “Heart and Stroke Foundation”  began a national canvassing campaign. The success of this program depends on its 100,000 volunteers, who make friendly, personal requests to their neighbours and online networks. Volunteers canvass for donations through the month of February, to support life-saving research and raise awareness of heart disease and stroke within their communities.

Notre Dame Campus Windows Display

Look for a “Heart” themed display in the showcase window just outside the Notre Dame Campus Library. As well you can check out some related items in our Library Collection. We have placed several of these items in our Notre Dame Campus window display.

CBC and NFB produce the best in informative documentaries and news reports that probe deeper into subjects that matter most to Canadians. The flood of Syrian refugees coming to Canada is a recent concern for Canadians. This blog post lists documentaries that provide a thoughtful investigation what it means to be a refugee (Syrian or otherwise).

CURIO: Syrian Refugee Crisis: Lessons from Vietnamese Boat People 

CURIO: Syrian Refugee Crisis: Lessons from Vietnamese Boat People

As desperate migrants from the Middle East and Africa make their way across Europe, many in Canada are reminded of another refugee crisis that hit close to home. In the late ’70s and early ’80s, Canada took in 60,000 refugees, at the time often called the “Vietnamese boat people.” CBC reporter Judy Trinh was four years old when her family fled from Vietnam.

CURIO: The Journey from Syria to Canada 

CURIO: The Journey from Syria to Canada

Danny Ramadan fled war-torn Syria in 2011 and eventually came to Vancouver in September 2014.

NFB: Tree That Remembers

NFB: Tree That Remembers

In 1992 a young Iranian student hanged himself on the outskirts of a small Ontario town. Having escaped the Ayatollah’s regime and found a new home in Canada, he could not escape his past. In this film, Masoud Raouf documents the experiences of Iranian-Canadians – former political prisoners like himself – who were active in the Iranian democratic movement and continue to struggle with the past.

NFB: Who Gets In? 

NFB: Who Gets In?

Explores the many questions raised by Canada’s immigration policy in the face of one of the world’s largest immigration movements. Shot in 1988 in Africa, Canada and Hong Kong, the film reveals first-hand what Canadian immigration officials are looking for in potential new Canadians, and the economic, social and political priorities orienting their choices.