Take part in a week of learning, reflection, and connection through Indigenous teachings, storytelling, and experiences. This year’s events will include in-person sessions led by Knowledge Keepers, staff, and special guests, along with self-guided opportunities curated by departments across the Polytech.

Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Week invites us all to deepen our understanding of Canada’s history and the ongoing impacts of colonization on Indigenous Peoples. It’s a time to listen, learn, and take meaningful steps together toward reconciliation, healing, and stronger relationships rooted in respect and truth.

Visit the following website for a list of events.

At CNI, we are excited to share the meaningful learning experiences happening across our programs, especially those that help students connect with community resources that support their success.

Recently, Sandra, one of our CNI instructors, took students in her class on a tour of the Millennium Library, giving learners the opportunity to explore the many resources and services available through the Winnipeg Public Library (WPL).

The WPL team provided an engaging and informative introduction to the library’s programs, learning tools, community services, and supports available to help learners succeed both during their studies and beyond. Students were also able to sign up for their own library cards (free for anyone living in Winnipeg) which now provides them access to an incredible range of materials and tools. With their new cards, students can borrow books, movies, and music; use online resources such as e‑books, audiobooks, and streaming media; and explore the Idea Mill, a creative makerspace featuring sewing machines, a sound booth, digitizing tools, 3‑D printers, and more.

At CNI, we are excited to see students discovering the wealth of educational and community resources available right here in Winnipeg. Experiences like these help build confidence, encourage lifelong learning, and strengthen connections within the community.

Thank you to the Winnipeg Public Library staff for their warm welcome and for sharing all that the library has to offer!

RRC Polytech’s Centre for Newcomer Integration is introducing a new program designed to help newcomers build careers in Manitoba’s high-demand industries. Manitoba Momentum: Language and Safety Training for Newcomers in Trades and Transportation is funded by the Manitoba Government and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

“Manitoba Momentum addresses critical workforce gaps in trades, transportation, and supply chain by unlocking the talent newcomers bring to Manitoba. At RRC Polytech, our commitments to equity, inclusion, and partnership guide this work, integrating workplace language training, industry-recognized safety certifications, and direct employer connections to build a skilled, job-ready talent pool that can contribute confidently from day one,” says Kerri Korabelnikov, Dean, School of Education, Arts & Science. 

Learners will receive targeted training to strengthen their technical English skills, improve their understanding of workplace culture and rights, and gain industry-recognized safety certifications over 20 weeks. Three cohorts offer learners different options based on their needs: fully in-person at RRC Polytech, in-person with some online components, or hybrid to include rural learners. 

Following 10 weeks of classroom training, learners will move into workplace-based learning through job shadowing placements with employers or industry associations for the remaining 10 weeks. During this phase, learners will have two hours of daily workplace language coaching to help them build communication skills in real time and address challenges they encounter on the job. Coaching is tailored to individual needs and informed by employer feedback. 

Some learners may secure employment during this stage through networking opportunities or job placements – those who do will continue receiving language coaching to support their success in the workplace. 

The program is open to a wide range of newcomers to Manitoba, including: 

• Temporary residents with valid work or study permits 

• Refugee claimants with valid work permits 

• Canadian citizens who are newcomers (including naturalized citizens or those raised abroad) 

• Spouses, partners, and dependent children of eligible participants 

All applicants must currently reside in Manitoba. Space is limited for permanent residents and refugees. 

Graduates of Manitoba Momentum will be prepared for entry-level roles across trades, transportation, and supply chain sectors. These positions can serve as steppingstones toward long-term careers, including apprenticeships and specialized certifications. 

By integrating language training with real-world work experience and employer engagement, the program provides participants with practical tools to succeed and offers Manitoba employers access to a skilled and prepared workforce. 

To learn more, contact mbm@rrc.ca.  

The Canadian Immigrant Fair is a free, one-stop event connecting newcomers with information about careers, education and settlement.

What participants will find at the fair:

• Hiring employers and recruiters looking for workers
• Inspirational immigrant speakers
• Career tips and coaching
• Resumé Clinic with free one-on-one advice
• Practical career and settlement workshops
• English language help
• Immigration and settlement help
• Banking and small business resources
• Meaningful connections
• Answers to questions
• Inspiration to succeed in Canada
• And much more …

Where: Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Downtown (11th Floor), 288 Portage Ave

When: July 10th, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Visit the Canadian Immigrant Fair website for more information or to register.

As we mark National Indigenous History Month, the Centre for Newcomer Integration at RRC Polytech continues its commitment to advancing truth, understanding, and respectful relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. This month highlights the importance of learning from history and listening to Indigenous perspectives – work that is happening across our Polytech community. Over the past year, CNI Instructor Sherry Seymour has demonstrated how this learning can be brought to life in the classroom through intentional, experiential, and relationship‑centred teaching. 

After participating in the Indigenous Residential School Museum Tour last August, Seymour has been integrating Canada’s colonial history and Indigenous perspectives into her classes even more over this past year.  

In the fall term, she took her CLB 5/6 class on a field trip around the downtown area, stopping and discussing murals like Carly & Diana Morriseau’s “We are still here,” written in Ininimowin (Cree) syllabics, and Stephen Gladue’s depiction of Brian Sinclair, an Indigenous man who died from a treatable infection while waiting 34 hours for care at an emergency room in Winnipeg. While on the tour, students witnessed first-hand how the Residential School system and Canada’s colonial frameworks have left many people in poverty and without housing. 

Seymour’s CLB 5/6 students learned about Askii Akawa Asotamaatowin (Land & Treaties) and Gawiin Bimikawesiwan (Assimilative Policies) from the Indigenous Orientation Toolkit. These modules are excellent steppingstones into learning about Treaty Rights, unceded territory, and discriminatory policies like the Indian Act and the pass system. 

Seymour contextualized the learning by sharing stories of how WW2 veterans were treated differently if they were Indigenous, in contrast to the benefits her serving grandfathers were eligible to receive. Students learned about local Indigenous veterans Sergeant Tommy Prince and Corporal Joe Keeper to connect with the City of Winnipeg and the streets named in their honour. 

At the end of the term, two guests were invited to further humanize and contextualize what students had learned in the course. Elder Paul Guimond shared cultural teachings and some of his experiences from Residential School. On another occasion, Corey Whitford shared his experiences in Residential School and taught students the Anishinaabemowin terminology to make bannock. A visit to the Indigenous Student Support Centre was also arranged, and learners were introduced to smudging and four sacred Medicines: Cedar, Sage, Tobacco, and Sweetgrass. Some students commented that they used some of the same Medicines in their cultures. 

Seymour has just finished a term teaching two CLB 4 classes. Her students explored land acknowledgements through a Reconciliation Awareness module developed by the Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia entitled “Welcome to Our Homelands.” Students connected to the content by composing their own land acknowledgments. In the closing Sharing Circle, students shared that they better understand Indigenous Peoples and the intergenerational trauma that impacts their experiences. They also said that they would really like to learn more.  

To build relationships and understanding, Elder Paul was invited to share his knowledge about traditional Medicines. Students enjoyed this experiential, hands-on learning, where they could smudge, taste, feel, and smell different local medicines.  

Finally, over the past month, Seymour has been honoured to pilot The Tools and Knowledge Left for Us by Our Ancestors, a course developed in-house by Maxine Fehr, where students learn to “evaluate the need to honour Indigenous worldviews in modern-day as well as the contributions of Indigenous Peoples” and “listen to stories recounted by Residential School Survivors.” A feast was held in conjunction with Maxine Fehr’s pilot cohort to celebrate their learning on June 25^th.  

As an instructor, Seymour says that she is learning alongside her students. She is still in the midst of understanding her own positionality, while seeking the truth and learning to listen to more Indigenous voices, and more often. She hopes that more instructors will feel the call to learn and discover their why in terms of reconciliatory education. 

Celebrate Canada Day on Wednesday, July 1!

Assiniboine Park

• Family-friendly activities including concerts, dance lessons, fire and tipi teachings
• When: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The Forks

• Indigenous, newcomer, and multicultural artists bring music, drumming, comedy, dancing, handmade goods, storytelling, and more to this special celebration.
• When: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM

June 27 is Canadian Multiculturalism Day, a time to recognize and celebrate the many cultural communities that help shape Canada’s diverse and vibrant society.

Multiculturalism is built on the belief that everyone should be able to take pride in who they are, celebrate their heritage, feel a sense of belonging, and participate fully in society. It is about respect, understanding, and recognizing the value that different experiences and perspectives bring.

To learn about how RRC Polytech is marking Canadian Multiculturalism Day, please visit the following blog post: A World Within a Word: Celebrating Canadian Multiculturalism Day at RRC Polytech : RRC Polytech: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility on Campus

On May 19, newcomer students from RRC Polytech’s Centre for Newcomer Integration (CNI) were invited to Blue Cross Park to take part in the excitement of the Winnipeg Goldeyes’ 2026 season opener. The Goldeyes faced off against the Kane County Cougars, setting the stage for an energetic and memorable evening. 

Students had the opportunity to experience the vibrant atmosphere of a live professional baseball game, something that was brand new for many attendees. The evening was made even more exciting with a special promotion, as the first 5,000 fans in attendance received free Goldeyes jerseys!  

The ballpark was filled with excitement as fans cheered on the home team, creating a welcoming and engaging environment for CNI students to connect with the community. For many, the event offered not only a first game, but also a unique introduction to a popular North American pastime and a chance to enjoy the experience with family and friends. 

One student reflected on the experience, saying, “It was a very good experience because I went with my nine-year-old son, who just happened to have joined the school’s baseball team.”   

Events like these play an important role in helping newcomers feel a sense of belonging and connection as they settle into life in Manitoba. By participating in local traditions and community activities, students can build confidence, create lasting memories, and strengthen their understanding of Canadian culture. 

One student shared their enthusiasm, saying, “I would recommend this experience to other newcomers because it is fun, interesting, and a great way to discover Canadian culture and improve our English. “  

RRC Polytech extends its appreciation to the Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club for providing such an engaging and inclusive experience. Opportunities like this continue to support CNI students in their journey toward integration and community connection. 

Indigenous Peoples Day at Assiniboine Park​

• Music, entertainment, and fun in recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day​
  • When: Saturday, June 20​
  • Where: Outdoor Gardens at The Leaf, Assiniboine Park​

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Indigenous Peoples Day at The Forks​

• Many Nations, One Heartbeat ᐊᐧᐦᑯᐦᑐᐃᐧᐣ Wáhkóhtowin​
• Celebrate connection, culture, and community through 11 days of activities, including a community powwow, Indigenous artist performances, children and youth activities, culture-sharing talks, and more​
  • When: From National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) through Canada Day (July 1)​
  • Where: The Forks​

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We’re excited to join MANSO for Winnipeg’s World Refugee Day Celebration! 🎉

Red River College Polytechnic and the Centre for Newcomer Integration work with newcomers every day, and June 18 is our chance to celebrate the contributions newcomers make to our community.

📍 Central Park, Winnipeg

📅 Thursday, June 18  |  11 AM – 3 PM  |  FREE

Face painting, button-making, rock painting, multi-sport games, soccer scrimmage, and community booths. Bring your family, your team, your clients — all welcome.

In Manitoba, we’re better together. See you there!