I join the chorus of tributes to the Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair from coast-to-coast-to-coast and offer my condolences to his family on behalf of our entire RRC Polytech community.  

Justice Sinclair’s traditional name, Mazina Giizhik, means the One Who Speaks of Pictures in the Sky. I see a parallel between his traditional name and the determined work he did to help set Canada on a better path – a vision he had that others did not yet see.  

Our campus flags will fly at half-mast in honour of Justice Sinclair until his funeral later this week.   

Post-secondary education was among the countless communities, personal and professional, that Justice Sinclair served. He taught law at the University of Manitoba, he received honorary doctorates from 17 Canadian universities, and in 2001 accepted an Honorary Diploma from RRC Polytech.  

Decades later, in 2021, as we navigated COVID-19, and we prepared to launch a strategic plan with Truth and Reconciliation as one of its cornerstones, Justice Sinclair participated in a virtual session on Reconciliation in Post-Secondary Education as part of our annual RED Forum event.  

Kind, engaging, and insightful, he generously offered his wisdom to our faculty and staff.  

Justice Sinclair used truth to challenge systems that for generations used false narratives to deny Indigenous People their culture and language, opportunity, equality, and basic humanity.   

His tireless work helped those systems – including education – see the need for fundamental change. And he welcomed us all to walk the path of Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.  

I commend our college community for embracing this journey.  

Today, we are committed to growing Indigenous representation in our classrooms, in our faculty, staff, and administration, and in our campus culture. And we are working to foster a mindset of Reconciliation our graduates can take with them into the workplace and community.  

There is work to be done, however, we are on the right path. And for this we owe Justice Sinclair a debt of gratitude.  

In heart, in words, and in deeds, he embodied goodness.   

Miigwech,  

Fred

CONTENT WARNING: The following message includes content that may trigger strong emotions, especially for those with lived experience. It is recommended that we all check in on ourselves and access the resources available to us to ensure we are taking good care of our mental health. Access mental health and self-care resources, here. 

Today, September 30th, is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which grew from the Indigenous-led grassroots movement, Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters. The flags on RRC Polytech Campuses are lowered as the College observes Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Now in its sixth year, you may have noticed ‘Community Engagement’ was added to Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Week this year. This was done to reflect the importance of active participation from all members of the College community in our commitment to reconciliation. A subtheme that was present in this year’s engagement sessions was focused on Indigenous wellness – which includes wellness of the mind, body, and spirit. 

The week started in a good way with the annual Fall Equinox celebration and hundreds of people joined the Pipe Ceremony and Feast. I had the opportunity to sit with Elders – Grandmothers and Grandfathers – to have meaningful conversation around truth and reconciliation. Not only that, but I feel very humbled to have been able to witness just how many students rely on Grandparents – many students approached and sat with them, thanked them for their words and their support in the community.  

We often ask Elders to support our work here as an institution, but on an individual level, the difference that Elders make for students and staff is so incredibly rewarding and moving to see – the impacts of offering that uniquely cultural, familial connection through people makes a huge difference for members of the community that may be missing those connections at the moment.  

I would like to extend a chi-miigwech to the Elders and Knowledge Keepers we see at RRC Polytech, whether they’re part of the Elders-in-Residence program, or are part of the Knowledge Keepers Council, for their continued guidance and support. 

Throughout the week, we saw many thought-provoking engagement sessions led by internal leaders and community partners, like:  

• The Land Acknowledgement Workshop; 
• Re-Search, Storytelling, & Humanizing How We Come to Know; 
• Indigenous Birth Helpers: Restoring Birthing Practices and Knowledges with Wiiji’idiwag Ikwewag; and, 
• A series of sessions like the Matriarch Circle, Immersive Stories, and Living Libraries that focused on active participation with the community. 

At the Portage Campus, the team took part in Orange Everywhere – an initiative aimed at raising awareness in Portage la Prairie about Truth and Reconciliation. Businesses and homes were encouraged to display orange shirts in their windows or create displays.

Truth and Reconciliation is not just about providing equal opportunities to Indigenous learners – it is also educating the publics we serve as an educational institution of the true histories that have often been neglected by western textbooks and reconciling potential dissonance with facts as related by Indigenous scholars, historians and Knowledge Keepers. By offering opportunities like these around the focal point we have in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and making an effort to offer more opportunities throughout the year as well, we can truly make our community a safe and welcoming place for everyone. 

I hope that you were able to find some opportunities this week to engage, reflect, and connect in preparation for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. We’re all at different points on our journeys, and it’s important to recognize that everyone starts somewhere. Today is also an opportunity in itself to attend community events, participate in Ceremony, read or watch, sit and reflect. 

Miigwech to the entire Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement team for their continuous leadership, and the Planning Committee and volunteers, and especially those who have led Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Week sessions. We recognize the emotional labour and vulnerability of sharing your story and lived experience.  

Take good care of yourself and those around you and remember to reach out for support. 

Fred 

The following message was sent to All Staff and All Students from RRC Polytech President and CEO, Fred Meier:

Like many across our College community and throughout the Province, I was shocked and saddened by the news of Grand Chief Cathy Merrick’s sudden passing.

I consider myself one of the many fortunate people to have had the opportunity to meet with Grand Chief Merrick throughout my career. I have always had tremendous respect for Grand Chief Merrick and admired her strength, leadership, and determination to advocate for and improve the lives of Indigenous People and our province.

She always met that determination with warmth and kindness, which all leaders strive to possess. She shared that message with our graduating class this spring when she joined us for the first time at convocation. A first time that is even more profound and impactful today.

As we offer our condolences, I believe that what she shared with our students is equally important to share today. It is a message that she believed in and one that we, as a community, should continue to uphold.

“You carry with you the power to make real change. You carry with you kindness that will get you through all the obstacles you are going to meet on your journey. Kindness will get you through everything, anywhere, anytime.”

– Grand Chief Cathy Merrick’s message to RRC Polytech’s Class of 2024

On behalf of our RRC Polytech community, I offer our heartfelt condolences to Grand Chief Merrick’s family, friends and community. Our flags will fly at half-mast in celebration of her life and contributions.

On behalf of the College community, we send our condolences and deepest sympathies to the family, friends and loved ones of Ray St. Germain, who passed away earlier this week on Tuesday, June 25.  

At spring convocation in 2018, RRC Polytech recognized Ray St. Germain with an honorary diploma in Creative Communications. An award-winning producer, host and entertainer on more than 600 TV and radio programs — including Big Sky Country, Rhythms of the Métis, and the 1969 variety series Time for Living, Ray impacted many people. His creative and passionate style for storytelling helped build an appreciation of Métis culture across Canada. 

Ray was someone who embodied the values of RRC Polytech and served as an inspiration to many creative young people. For his contributions to Canadian culture, Ray received an array of additional awards and accolades, including the Aboriginal Order of Canada, the Order of Manitoba, and the Order of the Sash – Saskatoon and Prince Albert. He was also inducted into the Manitoba Aboriginal Music Hall of Fame (2005), and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame (2010) and had a street in Winnipeg’s St. Vital neighbourhood renamed “Big Sky Country Way” in his honour. 

Ray’s legacy lives on through the people he inspired. 

RRC Polytech flags are lowered this weekend in observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

In 2005, January 27 was designated as the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, acknowledging this day in 1945 when the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp was liberated.

Each year, this day is an opportunity to reflect on the atrocities of the Holocaust and remember its many victims.

On Sunday, January 28, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is hosting an event Do Not Forget Me: Haunting letters from Jewish mothers in Greece to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The event is free to attend and has an option to join in-person at the museum or via Zoom. Read more.

The Canadian Centre on Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI), has the recorded webinar Antisemitism: How to recognize and prevent it in the workplace (login required) along with resource guides to further your learning. To access all content, RRC Polytech employees can sign up for a free CCDI membership.

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day, our annual reminder to reflect and honour those who have served and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace. All campuses will be closed on Monday, November 13 and all campus flags will be lowered to half-mast in observance of this day.

November 8 marked Indigenous Veteran’s Day, which specifically recognizes the contributions and sacrifices of Indigenous soldiers. If you haven’t already,  please read the recent profile on Jamie Wilson, Vice President, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development at RRC Polytech. Prior to his career in education and post-secondary leadership, Jamie spent nine years serving in both the US and Canadian Armed Forces. Read more about his story here.

Lest we forget.

On behalf of the College community, we send our condolences and deepest sympathies to the family, friends and loved ones of Dr. Dick Smith, who passed away peacefully in his home earlier this week on Tuesday, November 7.

At spring convocation 2022, RRC Polytech recognized Dr. Dick Smith with an honorary diploma in Community Development for his enduring commitment to public health, specifically within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Winnipeg.

Dr. Dick Smith was a Manitoba family physician who dedicated most of his 52-year professional career to saving lives and advocating for those impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Manitoba. He was leader in the provision of clinical excellence to people often ostracized for their sexual orientation or lifestyle, and established the Village Clinic, which eventually became the Nine Circles Community Health Centre (Nine Circles).

Dr. Dick Smith’s legacy continues through the lives he has impacted, and the preventative education and care provided at Nine Circles.

As a College community, we express our immense grief and sadness for the evolving conflict in Israel and Gaza and offer our deepest sympathies and support to everyone affected.    

We join the international community in condemning the acts of terrorism against Israel, the targeting of civilians, antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination. We support a call for de-escalating the violence and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.  

RRC Polytech is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for everyone on our campuses. As in any conflict, members of our community will hold strong views, and we urge our community to engage in respectful dialogue. We ask everyone to take care of themselves and one another during these trying times.  

We are fortunate to have a diverse community of students and employees, and our thoughts are with each impacted individual.  

We are monitoring the situation as it evolves, and we encourage all affected students and community members to access available supports and services. Our Student Support Services and Employee Family Assistance Program are available free of charge for students, staff, and faculty.

RRC Polytech is reminding you that all of our campuses are 100 per cent smoke-free. That means smoking any form of tobacco and/or cannabis, vaping and use of e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco (commonly known as chewing tobacco) is not permitted anywhere on our campuses across the province.

RRC Polytech adopted this strict policy in 2020 when designated smoking areas at our campuses were permanently closed and signs were posted to clearly identify that smoking and vaping is prohibited.  Staff and students who choose to smoke and vape while at the College must do so off of the property. Smoking in private vehicles but on College property also remains prohibited.

Since we have returned to campus this Fall, adherence to this policy has regressed. We want to ensure that any new students and staff are fully aware of the policy and that we appreciate everyone’s support and cooperation in respecting all on-campus rules and regulations.

As one of Manitoba’s largest institutes of applied learning, and the largest trainer of healthcare professionals in the province, not only is it important to provide a safe and healthy working and learning environment for our staff and students, but it is equally important to play a leadership role by setting the example and putting an end to smoking and vaping everywhere on-campus.

Read the policy

If you would like more information about the College’s decision to go smoke-free, please contact Safety Health Services at safety@rrc.ca.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Content warning: this message contains information about gender-based violence

At RRC Polytech we are deeply saddened by the news of the recent attack during a gender studies class at the University of Waterloo, which left three people injured and is believed to be hate-motivated.

RRC Polytech does not condone and has a zero-tolerance policy for any expression of hate on our campuses. On our campuses – and across all post-secondary institutions – everyone deserves to feel physically and psychologically safe, regardless of their sexuality, gender identity or gender expression.

Pride month is a time to celebrate the diversity of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and foster respect, understanding and advocacy so that everyone feels and is safe on our campuses and in the community at large. This incident at the University of Waterloo illustrates why it is critical that we continue to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do, providing opportunities for learning and to take action against hate not just in June but every single day.

We stand in solidarity with students and faculty at the University of Waterloo and their families and loved ones, who have been injured and impacted by the incident. Our thoughts are with you during this immeasurably difficult and heart-breaking time – our hopes are that those injured and impacted seek the care and supports they need to recover and return to their studies soon.

If you have been impacted by this news, we encourage you to access the supports available to you through the College and the community:

• Campus Well-Being Supports and Resources
• Homewood Health (Employee and Family Assistance Program for RRC Polytech staff)
• Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba
• Rainbow Resource Centre