WINNIPEG, MB – Today, Red River College will unveil a new Indigenous graduation stole at RRC’s Graduation Pow Wow to recognize the achievements of the College’s Indigenous students. The students will be presented with their stoles by RRC’s elders and members of the College’s leadership.

The 19th annual Graduation Pow Wow has grown by more than 25 per cent from last year and is one of RRC’s largest cultural celebrations.

“Advancing indigenous achievement is a key priority at Red River College, and the College recognizes the important role it plays in supporting reconciliation efforts across the Province,” said Rebecca Chartrand, Executive Director, Indigenous Strategy. “Presenting our students with these beautiful Indigenous stoles will give them a great sense of pride at the Pow Wow and as they walk across the stage at convocation. Today is about celebrating our students’ success and this stole an important way of honouring who they are, their culture, and their achievements at the College.”

The stole was designed with symbols to represent The Seven Sacred Teachings, Métis culture, and Inuit culture. In the middle of the stole is the Red River College logo, which rests on the back of the neck. The Assiniboine and Red rivers are also represented throughout the design, which lays on red silk to proudly display the College’s brand colour.

“The Red and Assiniboine rivers are historically and culturally significant to Indigenous peoples; they are the reason so many groups came to reside on the land that Red River College campuses are located on. This geography has informed Indigenous history and is our College’s namesake, so it was really important to incorporate the rivers symbolically into the design,” said Chartrand.

Students who receive a stole at the Pow Wow are encouraged to wear their stole at the College-wide Spring 2019 Convocation ceremonies on June 4 and 5, 2019 at the Centennial Concert Hall. The stoles will also be available at convocation for Indigenous students.

Every year, the Pow Wow welcomes hundreds of guests, community members, dancers, drummers, college staff, faculty and students to join in the community celebration hosted by the School of Indigenous Education.

“Today is an important event for our students to not only honour and celebrate all their hard work and achievements, but it also gathers the community around our students to give them our support as they start their careers. We look forward to continuing a lifelong relationship with each of our students and graduates.”

In addition to celebrating student success, RRC’s Pow Wow festivities reflect the College’s continued commitment to making education more accessible for Indigenous learners. RRC aspires to deliver excellence in Indigenous achievement through partnerships and networks, incorporating Indigenous knowledge, philosophies, perspectives and content with innovative and relevant programming.

Media are invited to attend the Pow Wow festivities:

WHEN:               TODAY, Friday, May 3, 2018

10:00 am            Pipe Ceremony in the North Gym
10:30 am            Dancer, Drummer, and Honoured Guest Registration
12:00 pm            Grand Entry
2:00 pm              Honour Indigenous Graduates
5:00 pm              Feast

WHERE:               North Gym, Red River College, Notre Dame Campus

2055 Notre Dame Avenue