First Stories: Two Spirited 
This short documentary presents the empowering story of Rodney “Geeyo” Poucette’s struggle against prejudice in the Indigenous community as a two-spirited person (gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender).  

Second Stories:  Deb-we-win Ge-ken-am-aan, Our Place in the Circle 
Lorne Olson’s short documentary presents a vision he had of two-spirited people dancing, laughing, and smiling. His vision spurs him to rediscover the strength of the past to better face the challenges of today. This funny and buoyant film documents his touching journey.

A live screening of a promotional video for the upcoming, student-led Alternative Communications Training program offered through the Language Networking Club, which seeks to help develop students’ communication skills through the use of Drama.

This session is approachable, real, and skill-based – facilitated in a respectful, strengths-based way, no overwhelming theory. Participants will leave with simple language, response options they can actually use, and a one-page takeaway tool that helps them to: 

• Recognize common microaggressions and “edge-of-respect” comments in workplace and classroom settings 
• Learn 3–4 practical response options (from subtle to direct) to use in the moment 
• Practice a simple interruption script (what to say, how to say it, what to do next)
• Understand how to follow up after the moment (repair, support, and escalation pathways when needed)

About the Presenter

Natalie Bell has spent over two decades supporting the Winnipeg community as a senior HR consultant, helping organizations strengthen how people work together—through practical, people-first strategies that actually stick. Her approach is grounded and holistic: clear insights, real tools, and support that meets people where they’re at (especially when the topics are hard).

Natalie brings a strong mix of real-world experience and academic knowledge, plus a deep network built on integrity and meaningful relationships. Whether she’s facilitating, coaching, or advising, Natalie is known for making complex workplace moments easier to name and navigate—without losing the humanity in the room.

As part of Inclusion Week – a celebration of belonging, respect, and diversity – Fun for All offers a relaxed, welcoming space to connect with others.

Join the Centre for International Education and Global Partnerships for this casual, lunch-hour drop-in event and enjoy a variety of fun and inclusive activities. Take part in board games, puzzles, Indigenous-themed games, vision board making, colouring, or simply stop by to chat and unwind. Refreshments will be provided.

Everyone is welcome, and no registration is required. Just drop in and enjoy!

More details TBD.

Step into a world of colours, sounds, and stories as students from the Global Access: English for Academic & Professional Purposes program bring their cultures to life.

This is your chance to:

• Engage with diverse cultural concepts
• Interact with students from around the globe
• Participate in fun and educational activities

This student-led event is a celebration of the rich tapestry if cultures within our community. It’s designed to foster understanding and respect for different traditions and practices. Come with a curious mind and an appetite for knowledge. Sample a buffet of mini cultural lessons from different countries. Everyone is welcome!

Drop in, no registration required.

As part of Inclusion Week – a celebration of belonging, respect, and diversity – Fun for All offers a relaxed, welcoming space to connect with others.

Join the Centre for International Education and Global Partnerships for this casual, lunch-hour drop-in event and enjoy a variety of fun and inclusive activities. Take part in board games, puzzles, Indigenous-themed games, vision board making, colouring, or simply stop by to chat and unwind. Refreshments will be provided.

Everyone is welcome, and no registration is required. Just drop in and enjoy!

This interactive storytelling workshop invites students to explore how visible expressions of identity, including religious attire such as the hijab, shape experiences of belonging, perception, and inclusion in campus and community settings.  

Using storytelling as a reflective and connective tool, Amna Burki guides participants through conversation and shared narratives that examine assumptions, stereotypes, and the stories we tell about one another. While the hijab is a point of reflection, the session also creates space to discuss other forms of religious and cultural dress and what they represent.  

Participants are encouraged to reflect on identity, visibility, and respect, and to consider how curiosity, empathy, and listening can contribute to more inclusive campus communities. No prior storytelling experience is needed, only openness to learning and dialogue.  

About the Presenter

Amna Burki is a storyteller, facilitator, and DEIB consultant who harnesses the power of storytelling to cultivate leadership, inclusion, and cultural understanding. With a background in Economics, Management, and Gender Studies, she brings over two decades of experience working with community organizations and non-profits, advocating for equity and belonging.  

As a trained oral storyteller, Amna recognizes storytelling as one of the most powerful ways humans make sense of the world and an essential skill for effective leadership. She has collaborated with boards, non-profits, and businesses to facilitate meaningful conversations, using storytelling to bridge divides, build resilience, and enhance communication. A sought-after speaker and storyteller, she believes stories have the power to drive lasting change. 

TBD

To learn more about RRC Polytech’s commitment to accessibility the following additional links and resources are offered:

• Accessibility at RRC Polytech
• Employee Support:
  • Accessibility Services for Employees: Visit the Accessibility page on Staff Forum for more information on services and support available to employees.
  • Self-Guided Training for Employees:
    • Accessible Customer Service training
    • Accessible Information and Communication Standard training
    • Accessible Employment Standard (For Leaders)
    • Note: To register for Self-Guided Training, go to HUB > HR Unlimited > My Portal > My Learning > Learning Library > More > Choose the Course to take > Click Enroll.
• Student Support:
  • Student Accessibility Services: To learn more about the services and support available to students, visit the Student Accessibility Services page.
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services: To learn more about these services, visit the Deaf and Hard of Hearing page. To book an ASL-English Interpreter or transcriber submit this form.
  • Self-Guided Training for Students:
    • To learn more about self-guided training for students, visit RRC Polytech’s Diversity Resources Page
• Employee Working Groups and Community of Practice:
  • Community of Practice: Accessibility Garden. Join College RRC Polytech members as they exchange accessibility practices and conversation. To learn more, visit the Community of Practice: Accessibility Garden page on Staff Forum.
  • Neurodiversity Working Group. To learn more about Neurodiversity Working Group, visit the Neurodiversity Working Group page on Staff Forum.
• Additional Learning Resources:
  • RRC Polytech’s Library and Academic Services Resource Guide on Neurodiversity
  • Videos:
    • Creating Inclusive Online Classrooms and Meetings (25 min.)
  • Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) Resources:
    • CCDI Webinar: Creating neuroinclusive and accessible workplaces
    • CCDI Webinar: Removing barriers to accessibility and inclusion – Panel
  • LinkedIn Learning Path:
    • LinkedIN Learning’s Accessibility Learning Paths (LinkedIn Learning login required)
  • The Manitoba Accessibility Office’s Resources and Training
  • Microsoft Accessibility Training & Resources
  • WCAG Accessibility Guidelines
  • The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce CODE Initiative Additional Resources

To learn more about RRC Polytech’s commitment to anti-racism the following additional links and resources are offered:

• Anti-Racism at RRC Polytech
• Anti-Racism Learning Toolkit: Library and Academic Services offers the Anti-Black Racism Learning Toolkit to help deepen our understanding and foster a culture of respect and inclusivity.
• Employee Working Groups:
  • Anti-Racism Action Committee. The committee is welcoming new members who are passionate about making a meaningful impact. To learn more and get involved, visit the Anti-Racism Action Committee page on Staff Forum.
• Anti-Racism: A Journey to Allyship Training: All RRC Polytech employees are required to complete the Anti-Racism: A Journey to Allyship Training upon starting. We encourage everyone to revisit the training regularly to continue learning and growing.
  • Employees: To register for Anti-Racism: A Journey to Allyship, go to HUB > HR Unlimited > My Portal > My Learning > Learning Library > More > Look for Anti-Racism: A Journey to Allyship > Click Enroll.
  • Students: To register for Anti-Racism: A Journey to Allyship, visit RRC Polytech’s Diversity Resources Page.
• Additional Learning Resources:
  • RRC Polytech’s Library and Academic Services Resource
    • Inclusive Teaching: Strategies for promoting equity in the classroom (2022)
  • Videos:
    • What is Anti-Racism?
    • The difference between being “not racist” and antiracist | Ibram X. Kendi
  • Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) Resources:
    • Educational Guide: Racism and anti-Black racism (PDF)
    • Black History Month Commemoration Guide 2025 (PDF)
    • Educational Guide: Racism and anti-Black racism (PDF)
    • Navigating race in the workplace (PDF)
    • Sustaining the Black Lives Matter movement in the workplace (PDF)
  • LinkedIn Learning Paths:
    • How to Engage Meaningfully in Allyship and Anti-Racism (LinkedIn Learning login required)
    • The importance of speaking up to disrupt racism in the workplace (LinkedIn Learning login required)
    • Supporting Allyship and Anti-Racism at Work (LinkedIn Learning login required)

• Indigenous Student Supports: The Indigenous Student Support and Community Relations department offers a welcoming space with many of the comforts of home. Through the department, Indigenous students can also access Indigenous Liaisons/Advisors, counselling services, the Indigenous Centre, awards and scholarships, Elders-in-Residence, Transition to Employment services, and more. Visit Indigenous Student Support and Community Relations to learn more.
• Truth and Reconciliation: RRC Polytech has actively embedded the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action into everything we do and made Truth and Reconciliation commitment #2 of our Strategic Plan. Visit the Truth and Reconciliation page to learn more.
• 4 Seasons of Reconciliation Training: This training follows Indigenous principles and was formed under the guidance of our Indigenous Advisory Circle and the First Nations University of Canada.
  • Employees: To register for 4 Seasons of Reconciliation Training, go to HUB > HR Unlimited > My Portal > My Learning > Learning Library > More > Look for 4 Seasons of Reconciliation Training > Click Enroll.
  • Students: To register for 4 Seasons of Reconciliation Training, visit RRC Polytech’s Diversity Resources Page.
• Additional Learning Resources:
  • RRC Polytech’s Library and Academic Services Indigenous Resources Collection
  • Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) Resources:
    • CCDI Webinar: Pathways towards truth and reconciliation – Panel conversation
    • CCDI Webinar: Succession planning for Indigenous professionals in Canadian workplaces
    • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day – Commemoration Guide (PDF)
  • Indigenization Guides
  • LinkedIn Learning Paths:
    • Supporting Indigenous Rights (LinkedIn Learning login required)

To learn more about RRC Polytech’s commitment in supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, the following additional links and resources are offered:

• Gender Identity Supports
  • The Spectrum. RRC Polytech is accepting and affirming various gender identities for our students, staff and faculty. The Spectrum is a new RRC Polytech Students’ Association (RRCSA) space for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and their allies. Learn more about The Spectrum.
  • Beyond Pride Month. Our support for and allyship with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community doesn’t stop after June 30. RRC Polytech has an evolving list of resources to foster learning, understanding and allyship. View RRC Polytech’s Pride Resources.
• Employee Working Group
  • Gender and Sexual Diversity Group. Acting as internal advocates for gender and sexual diversity (GSD), the GSD group works to support the priorities of RRC Polytech around equity, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) of GSD. To learn more and get involved, visit the Gender and Sexual Diversity Group on Staff Forum.
• Gender and Sexual Identities: Advancing Understanding and Inclusion Training: All RRC Polytech staff are required to complete the Gender and Sexual Identities: Advancing Understanding and Inclusion upon starting. We encourage everyone to revisit the training regularly to continue learning and growing.
  • Employees: To register for Gender and Sexual Identities Training, go to HUB > HR Unlimited > My Portal > My Learning > Learning Library > More > Look for Gender and Sexual Identities Training > Click Enroll.
  • Students: To register for Gender and Sexual Identities Training, visit RRC Polytech’s Diversity Resources Page
• Additional Resources & Learning Supports:
  • RRC Polytech’s Library and Academic Services Resource Guide on Gender and Sexual Diversity
  • Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) Resources:
    • CCDI Webinar: 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion: Challenges in and strategies for the workplace
    • CCDI Webinar: Gender equity, inclusion, and safety – Panel
  • LinkedIn Learning Paths:
    • The Spectrum of Gender Identity in the Workplace (LinkedIn Learning login required)
  • How to add your Pronouns to Your RRC Polytech Email Signature
  • Why Do You Need a Parade? A Pride Month Presentation
  • Open Educational Resources:
    • Introduction To LGBTQ+ Studies
    • The American LGBTQ Rights Movement: An Introduction
    • LGBTQ+ Healthcare
    • Genderbread Person Teaching Tool
    • How to Use Personal Pronouns in an Inclusive Way

To learn more about RRC Polytech’s commitment to inclusion across various identities and communities, explore the following links and resources:

• RRC Polytech’s Diversity Resources
• Immigrant and International Student Support
• English as an Additional Language Support
• Gender-neutral Washrooms
• Spiritual Supports
• No Wrong Door

• CCDI: Educational and Inclusion Guides (PDF)
• Centennial College: Social Action Cards
• Generative AI in HR Diversity, equity, and inclusion (LinkedIn Learning login required)
• Eliminating Harmful Language (PDF)
  • Content Warning: This website contains language that is offensive or harmful. Please engage with this website at your own pace.
• The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce CODE Initiative Additional Resources