To close out Black History Month, RRC Polytech in partnership with Black Manitobans Chamber of Commerce, hosted a living legend, the Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae for a screening of Steadfast: The Messenger and the Message, the remarkable story of Dr. Jean Augustine who played a key role in the recognition of Black History Month in Canada, among many other notable and incredible achievements.

The Roundhouse Auditorium was full of students, staff, and faculty eager to celebrate the incredible life and career of Dr. Jean Augustine and hear her story from those she met along the way. Guests were lucky enough to hear Dr. Augustine share more of her story and answer questions from the crowd after the screening had concluded.

Dr. Augustine is known as a social activist, educator and trailblazing politician where she made history as the first African-Canadian woman elected to the House of Commons and was responsible for championing unanimous legislation to designate the month of February as Black History Month in Canada and helping to raise the only statue featuring women on Parliament Hill, the Famous Five Monument.

After the event, Dr.  Jean Augustine presented Kirk Johnson, Dean, School of Business, IT & Creative Arts and School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts, with a signed copy of “In Her Words,” a collection of convocation addresses she has delivered at various universities over the years. We hope to find a space at the EDC campus where we can display this gift prominently and proudly.

Thank you to Dr. Zita Somakoko, the Founder and President of Black Manitobans Chamber of Commerce, for reaching out and helping to put together this amazing event and to Dr. Jean Augustine for sharing your story. 

Join panelists from RRC Polytech’s Board of Governors, Knowledge Keepers Council, Students’ Association, as well as staff members, for a discussion celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) 2023. This year’s IWD theme is #EmbraceEquity, because equity isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have.

• Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023
• Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Location: Hybrid event
  • In-person: Connected Classroom, G139, Notre Dame Campus*
  • Virtual: Livestreaming via MS Teams

*In-person capacity is limited to 30 people. If you would like to attend in-person, please register as soon as possible.

The event is open to all RRC Polytech employees and students. Co-moderated by Ebony Novakowski, Copyright Officer, Library and Academic Services, and Josh Malam, RRC Polytech student and former RRCSA Vice President, Academic.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. ASL-English interpretation will be provided for this event. 

Elder Martha Peet, RRC Polytech Knowledge Keepers Council, will be bringing greetings to start the panel talk in a good way. 

About Elder Martha Peet

Martha Peet, Inuit elder and storyteller from Taloyaok, Nunavut, telling stories is about sharing her own experiences and the traditional Inuit way of life.

Taloyaok was founded in 1948 when the HBC established a trading post. Five nomadic families moved in, including hers. Peet was born in 1950. “I was there from the beginning. I lived in an igloo in the winter and a tent in the summer. My job as a child was collecting cotton in the summer, for the wick on the seal oil (soapstone) lamp (fueled by blubber). I always had chores. I carried water twice a day from the lake. I made bannock and tea. We boiled our meat, seal and caribou,” she says.

A storyteller for over 30 years, Peet enjoys sharing stories about her life, where she is from, and the Inuit way of life of years ago including the importance of animals and traditions.

Meet the Panelists

Kookum and Knowledge Keeper Barbara Bruce – Flies High Thunderbird and Truth Talker, RRC Polytech Knowledge Keepers Council

Barbara Bruce is a citizen of the Red River Métis Nation – Michif aen Otipemisiwak.  Her beliefs of Indigenous traditional teachings are reflected in all of the work she takes on.

A Sundancer, Sweatlodge leader, and Pipe Carrier, her dedication to advancing the rightful place, recognition and acknowledgment of the Two Spirit community, Indigenous women, and children and youth are an integral part of her life.

Some of her past and current board appointments include: National Aboriginal Economic Development Board, Manitoba Communities Economic Development Fund, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, Top 40 Under 40, University of Winnipeg Board of Regents and Chair of the Metis Child and Family Services Authority. Most recently, she Co-Led a working group for the University of Manitoba on Identity Fraud

Barbara has been recognized and honoured for her work by the Human Rights Commission of Manitoba for her significant contributions to promoting Indigenous rights and equality. She was honoured by ‘Keeping the Fires Burning’ as a Kookum/Grandmother for her contribution of the wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples. Sageeng First Nation honoured her for her extensive contribution to economic development in First Nation and Métis communities.  In recognition of her lifetime of work, she was inducted into the Order of Manitoba in 2018. In 2020, she was acknowledged in the Manitoba legislative Assembly in a Member’s Statement for her work and contribution as a Two Spirit Elder. In 2021, she received the Nellie McClung Manitoba 150 Women Trailblazer Award. In November 2022 she received the Natural Resources Canada Departmental Achievement Award in the category of Workplace Culture and Wellness and she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal of Manitoba in December 2022. 

Ruth Ola, RRC Polytech Board of Governors

Ruth Ola is the Quality System Manager at KGS Group Consulting Engineers and Project Managers. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE), Ruth is a leader whose experience spans across developing, implementing, improving, and executing Quality Management Systems (QMS). She works with the highest levels of corporate leadership in implementing continuous improvement and lean processes, and in business process design and strategic planning.

Ruth has a Master’s degree in Geography and worked as a Geographic Information System (GIS) professional in the earlier part of her career.

Ruth is the co-founder of The Prowezz Company Inc, a team focusing on developing leaders and agents of change. She is also an ASQConnEx expert with American Society for Quality (ASQ), delivering training for individuals, organizations, and communities, helping them to achieve excellence through quality.

She is the Section Chair of ASQ Manitoba. She coaches with the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association (WMBA).

Dr. Jeanine Webber, Executive Director, Academic, RRC Polytech

Jeanine’s post-secondary educational journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Development Studies at Renison College at the University of Waterloo, followed by a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at York University, and a Master of Social Work and Doctor of Philosophy (Social Work) at the University of Toronto.

During Jeanine’s doctoral studies, she had the opportunity to teach at York University, the University of Toronto, and at Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. Additionally, Jeanine has extensive leadership experience within the college sector including that of Program Coordinator, Associate Dean at Humber, and formerly as Dean for the Centre for Justice & Human Services at Lethbridge College.

Jeanine has a passion for creating pathways for non-traditional learners and ensuring everyone has access to education. She brings a collaborative, values-based strategic leadership style with extensive experience in strategic planning, program development, program evaluation and renewal, and project management.

Outside of work, Jeanine enjoys reading, hiking, photography, traveling, volunteering within the community, and most importantly, spending time with family and friends.

Mandy Robinson, Director, Enrolment Services and Registrar, RRC Polytech

Mandy is a full status member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, born and raised in The Pas/ Opaskwayak Cree Nation area of northern Manitoba.  Mandy’s personal academic journey has not been easy or smooth, and her eventual success forged a dedication to use her education to assist those individuals who felt, like she once did, that university or college would never be an option. 

Mandy is the Registrar and Director of Enrolment Services at Red River College Polytechnic. Her portfolio includes Admissions, Student Records, Timetabling, Financial Aid and Customer Service.

Manpreet Kaur, President, RRC Polytech Students’ Association

Manpreet Kaur is the President of the Red River College Polytechnic Students’ Association, where she helps students and acts as a bridge between the college and the students’ association. She came to Canada as an international Student at RRC Polytech and is pursuing Business Technology Management. She also sits on the Board of Governors at RRC Polytech as a student representative.

Her role as president is to lead the organization, be the main spokesperson, and support the rest of the executive team. She communicates and encourages the team and works towards making our organization, the college, and our community a more welcoming and inclusive environment. She oversees and chairs committees where she needs to be efficient and organized. Manpreet always puts her best foot forward and is eager to learn, self-motivated, and willing to help and get involved. Her role requires her to collaborate, be creative, and problem-solving in our fast-paced student environment.

Take part in the conversation to #EmbraceEquity

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities, who have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity. Throughout February we will be highlighting and sharing the stories of Black staff, students, members of our Board of Governors as well as alumni. Stay tuned to the Diversity blog and RRC Polytech’s social media to learn more about members of our College community

Phyllis Reid-Jarvis, Board of Governors, RRC Polytech

The Journey

Phyllis Reid-Jarvis (she/her) MPH, PCC, CEO/Founder of Ultimate Potentials Corporation.

My work at Ultimate Potentials Corporation as a leadership and talent development consultant focuses on helping leaders see where change needs to occur. I work with leaders to support their organizations in achieving workplaces designed for all employees to thrive.  With over 25 years of combined experience in health, leadership, talent development, and social justice, I help leaders create transformative, diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces.

My professional journey has been filled with varying experiences, and now, looking back, all have prepared me well for where I am today. The word circuitous best describes my career path. It began at Mico Teachers’ College in Kingston, Jamaica, where I started training preparations to be a science teacher. Alas, this was interrupted when I immigrated to Manitoba with my parents in 1985.

I continued with my education upon arriving in Manitoba. I decided to switch career paths to pursue becoming a Registered Dietitian, a career in which I worked for almost twenty years. Despite having significant success as a Registered Dietitian, it was fraught with many barriers of exclusion and a need for more available and culturally-appropriate mentoring and support to help understand the Canadian culture and its practices of professionalism.  Highlights of my career as a Registered Dietitian include publishing two books on Solutions for health, working with CBC Radio as a health columnist on a weekly show, Food for Thought, representing Dietitians of Canada in Granada, Spain as a speaker at the annual International Congress of Dietetics and member of Breakfast for Learning Canada Board of Governors.

Importance of Representation

I arrived in Manitoba to discover that I was Black. Coming from a culture where one identifies with their country of origin, I was taken aback by ‘others’ need to reduce me to the superficiality of the colour of my skin! The silent racism below the surface of friendly Manitoba struck me. 

I am reminded of how the abuse of power and authority by one of my professors in my 4^th year at University was intended to deny me representation. I was getting A’s and high B+’s in most of my courses and was a recipient of the Alumni Association award for high-grade point average, but I  could only seem to get a low B at best from this professor.

I needed appropriate references to pursue my career as a Registered Dietitian, among other criteria for acceptance into the program. I booked an appointment to ask this professor if she would stand as a referee. Without skipping a beat, she said, “sure, but I don’t think you would like what I have to say.”I asked, “what do you mean?” She looked me in the eye and said, “We don’t want your kind in our program.” Again, I asked, “what do you mean?” She held her arm up and ran her fingers back and forth over it. It took me a few seconds to grasp the meaning of her gesture. I asked, “do you mean because my skin is black?” She folded her arms and leaned back in her chair. The meeting was over. This experience is one of many but is the most blatant form of denial of representation.

I am fortunate to belong to a family and community that taught me early in life to be proud of who I am and not to conform to society’s ideals of whom they think I should be. I use this to transform barriers into opportunities. This is a crucial mindset I continue to use today and teach, coach and mentor others to adopt as a transformative tool.

Contributions to the Board of Governors

My varied experience over the years helped shape what I bring to the table as a member of the Board of Governors at RRC Polytech. My lived experience and professional experience more than equip me to support RRC Polytech in achieving its strategic priorities. This is seen particularly around RRC Polytech’s commitments to talent development for the Province, the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s ( TRC) calls to action regarding Indigenous education and representation, and the pursuit to achieve Equity, Diversity and Inclusion by removing barriers to access and representation for equity-seeking Manitobans (persons who self-identify as a Person of colour, Asian, African, Caribbean, or African/Caribbean or Black) and marginalized Manitobans (Persons with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+).

I believe deeply in RRC Polytech’s commitment to its strategic priorities. I am honoured to be among fellow volunteers, students and staff who are also deeply committed to realizing RRC Polytech’s strategic priorities. 

Aspirations

I do this work because I know it’s important for everyone to be included, supported and recognized. I want to normalize these actions and make this known to fellow Manitobans. I will know we are successful when as Manitobans, we no longer are governed by blatant or worse, silent racism in our communities, workplaces and learning institutions. Success is realized when the TRC’s calls to action are fully implemented. When marginalized Manitobans (Persons with disabilities, members of 2SLGBTQIA+) and equity-seeking Manitobans (persons who self-identify as persons of colour, Asian, African, Caribbean, or African/Caribbean or Black) share 100% freedom, just like their white Canadian brothers and sisters.

“ We do not need first to be perfect before we can do what is right and just.” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Nigerian author and activist.

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities, who have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity. Throughout February we will be highlighting and sharing the stories of Black staff, students, members of our Board of Governors as well as alumni. Stay tuned to the Diversity blog and RRC Polytech’s social media to learn more about members of our College community.

Raymond Ngarbou, 2008 graduate, Community Development/Community Economic Development, RRC Polytech

Reposted from December 13, 2021

Raymond Ngarboui has a good reason for being late to a scheduled appointment at the Rainbow Community Garden on a recent August afternoon.

Within sight of IG Field at the University of Manitoba, the Garden is a place where families new to Canada are able to plant, tend, and harvest their own crops.

Among those waiting for Ngarboui is a group of students from Gordon Bell High School who have summer jobs on the Green Team, an employment program he manages in his capacity as a Community Development Coordinator for the Community Education Development Association (CEDA).

Not surprisingly, all eyes are on Ngarboui as he pulls up. With his easygoing manner, he has the full attention of the students. After speaking with them, he has time to sit down and talk about his career in community development.

To read more, click here.

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities, who have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity. Throughout February we will be highlighting and sharing the stories of Black staff, students, members of our Board of Governors as well as alumni. Stay tuned to the Diversity blog and RRC Polytech’s social media to learn more about members of our College community.

Omolara Adewuyi, Project Manager, RRC Polytech

What is your current role/occupation and what path/journey did you take to get to where you are today?

I am currently a Project Manager at Red River College. I am an alumnus of Red River College. I worked at Loblaw for five years as a Financial Analyst. At Loblaw, I worked in various departments, handled accounts reconciliation and reporting, led various process automation and improvements, met firm deadlines, supported the team to develop strategies to resolve cases in the client’s best interest whilst adhering to the Company’s policies and procedures, and was an excellent team player. I love volunteering. I held various positions in different clubs & committees. Eg Toastmasters, Equity and diversity committee. Etc.

Have you had any struggles in your career, and if so, how did you transform them into growth or success?

Whenever I am faced with difficulty, I resolve to use one or the other approach such as: Taking a break, going on a walk, going around the city on the bus (if time permits), and closing my eyes for at least 5 minutes. Then I start by identifying the challenge, asking for assistance, and maintaining an optimistic attitude toward my performance at work. These essential steps have helped me to become a hardworking, positive-minded, and motivated person who is not afraid of challenges. Most importantly, I have a seek-to-understand mindset and not a judgmental one.

What, if any, are challenges that affected you as a Black person in your career?

Personally, I have not faced discrimination or racism in the workplace. It may simply be that I refuse to identify any challenge as racism. Diversity in the workplace is a welcome development that can be improved upon with time. Many employees feel hopeless because they are afraid to put their job on the line to speak out against discrimination, so I think it is crucial to have open conversations about racial and gender bias.

Why is representation important to you and what does it mean for you?

Representation is vital because it creates a space where everyone can be seen and heard. People from different backgrounds will have various viewpoints thereby creating multiple ideas. We will be able to identify problems/ challenges from various angles and have better results. Seeing a person of color as a CEO or a Manager or in a top management position gives me hope and motivates me to put in more effort knowing that everyone is fairly treated and recognized.

How does your lived experience shape what you bring to the table in your role/occupation?

I have acquired a wide range of skills and experience that have given me the ability to bring positivity, a creative approach to solving problems, and the determination to always add value in any position. I am always willing to learn from experienced members of the company and be a positive role model to all my colleagues.

Anything else you would like to say or add?

I am grateful for this opportunity to share my experience and the lessons I have learned throughout my career. I hope to impact everyone positively.

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities, who have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity. Throughout February we will be highlighting and sharing the stories of Black staff, students, members of our Board of Governors as well as alumni. Stay tuned to the Diversity blog and RRC Polytech’s social media to learn more about members of our College community.

Gbolahan Olutayo Oduntan, Board of Governors, RRC Polytech

Gbolahan Olutayo Oduntan is Nigerian-Canadian professional who is passionate about, and specializes in helping small and large companies optimize their processes with the aim of resolving business challenges. He works with one of the major insurance companies in Canada; Canada Life, where he deploys his expertise processing, analyzing and renewing policies in the same organization. He serves as a member of the Board of Governors of the Red River College, Manitoba Canada. 

Gbolahan is also the founder and C.E.O of a non-profit organization known as STO Global Concept Incorporated, in Manitoba. STO Global Concept Inc. and her partners reach out to the needy in the community, by supplying them food and clothing for free. They do this with funds raised through periodically-held charity concerts organized for this purpose. They also collaborate with other humanitarian organizations such as Siloam Mission, Harvest Manitoba and others, to alleviate the burden of hunger amongst the less-privileged living in Manitoba, Canada.

Born in Nigeria, Gbolahan had his basic education in the South-Western part of the country. He then proceeded to acquire a Higher National Diploma certification in Accountancy from Kwara State Polytechnic, Nigeria.  Thereafter, he enrolled for a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Plymouth University, United Kingdom, and concluded this in the year 2014.

Before relocating to Canada, Gbolahan had extensive exposure in both private and public service in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. In Nigeria, he worked in LASACO Assurance; a public-owned Insurance Company. While in the United Kingdom, he worked with TESCO PLC, one of the leading multinational retailer stores. In all these places, his business acumen and professionalism earned him laurels as a man who goes above and beyond the call of duty. He also had eight years of public service in Nigeria, serving as a legislator in Surulere Local Government Area, Lagos State.

Upon arrival in Canada in April 2016 with great hopes and expectations, he began his integration process by attending Manitoba Start and Success Skills New-comers program, after which he began his job search. Several efforts to get a job based on his skills and educational qualifications all proved abortive as most of the feedbacks he got from employers included: No Canadian work experience, he’s got an accent; you are over qualified, etc.

Determined Gbolahan did not allow the limitating and frustrating remarks discourage him, rather he took up a transition job, enrolled for a course at the Red River College and continued his job search and contributions to community development by volunteering with some Non-for-profit organizations.

Whilst combining his transition job with studies at the Red River College, he found an opportunity to volunteer as an Administrative Assistant with Canada Life thereby combining transition job with studies. This was very demanding and challenging as Gbolahan hardly has 5 hours sleep on daily basis.  

Due to his unrelenting efforts, dedication and commitment to work, he later got an offer for the position of Underwriting Assistant with Canada Life where he has continued to deploy his experiences and knowledge to the growth of the organization. 

As a person of color, Gbolahan has had a fair share of the stereotype that an average person of color goes through: for example getting comments such as “I never knew you could speak good English, You are too qualified for this position, Where are you from” etc.  However, in-spite of these stigmas and profiling, Gbolahan’s humanitarian nature continued to compel him to reach out to communities, the homeless, the depressed, and the broken-hearted, under the umbrella of STO Global Concept Inc. a Not-for-Profit initiative established by him.

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities, who have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity. Throughout February we will be highlighting and sharing the stories of Black staff, students, members of our Board of Governors as well as alumni. Stay tuned to the Diversity blog and RRC Polytech’s social media to learn more about members of our College community.

Tanya Hansen Pratt, CET, Instructor, Mechanical Engineering Technology at RRC Polytech

I began working as an instructor at RRC Polytech in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program in 2021, the same program I graduated from many years ago. I have worked in the HVAC industry for over 20 years, initially in technical sales, then I transitioned into application engineering, design engineering, technical writing and marketing. This industry experience eventually brought me full circle back to where my career as a technologist began.

As an engineering technologist, I’ve always worked in male-dominated spaces with very little diversity. I spent many years of my career before coming to RRC Polytech being the only woman and only person of colour in my department. My lived experience has always been vastly different from that of my coworkers. I am reminded daily of my female-blackness, whereas their male-whiteness rarely crosses their minds. Microagressions, sexism, and racism have been common occurrences in my life, so I’ve learned to navigate the world as a person who is constantly othered.

Representation makes all the difference to someone like me. It’s so much easier to walk in a space when I know I’m not going to be stared at or judged: I can just be myself. I once combed out my locs and straightened my hair for a job interview because I knew my natural hair might be frowned upon in a conservative engineering department. I did get the job and when I put my locs back in (when my probation period was over), another black woman who worked there told me she loved my hair and decided to stop straightening her hair and wear it naturally, too! Representation matters.

In some small ways, I think I’ve turned my life experience into an advantage. I can read a room instantly and I’m quick to read facial expressions and body language. I’m used to working hard because people often underestimate me. I recently attended an event and, as often happens during introductions and small talk, we began discussing what we did for a living. I was asked by a gentleman at the table how I managed to get a job as an instructor. He was absolutely convinced that I couldn’t have been qualified and must have been used to fill a quota. He repeated his beliefs to me in front of several others who remained silent throughout the conversation. He made assumptions about me based on the colour of my skin, and the people at the table remained silent – and complicit. Being underestimated makes me dig in my heels and work hard to prove them wrong.

As an instructor, I hope my presence as a woman of colour does two things: First, I hope I can add to the diversity of thought and experience among the staff at the college to provide the best possible education for our increasingly diverse student body. Secondly, I hope my presence gives our students permission to be their authentic selves. There is someone out there, maybe in my classroom or maybe someone thinking about attending RRC Polytech, that sees me and sees a little bit of themselves, and it helps them stand taller and stronger knowing that someone else has walked the path in front of them and made it a little safer to follow along exactly as they are.

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities, who have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity. You can learn more about Black history in Canada on the Government of Canada website.

Black History Month at RRC Polytech

Throughout the month, the College will be highlighting and sharing some personal stories from Black staff, students, alumni and members of our Board of Governors. Stay tuned to the Diversity blog and RRC Polytech’s social media!

Library & Academic Services has created the Anti-Black Racism Learning Toolkit to help everyone better understand racism and how to take action against it.

The Anti-Racism Committee is partnering with Library and Academic Services to host a “Book Tasting” event.

• Exchange District Campus: Library; February 27, 11 am – 1 pm
• Notre Dame Campus: Active Learning Classroom (CM27) in the Library; February 28, 11 am – 1 pm

What is a book tasting? Just as you might try little bites or samples of food, a book tasting provides an opportunity to sample books that have been selected in spirit of celebrating Black History Month. Select a menu item that interests you in our faux restaurant setting, read the summary on the back, the first few pages, or even just the critical acclaim.

During the event, staff and students will have the opportunity to check out books written by Black Canadian authors. The Anti-Racism Committee will also be launching a Social Justice Book Club soon, more details about this event will be shared soon.

RRC Polytech staff and students are invited to join the Anti-Racism Committee for the final presentation of a four-part virtual speaker series featuring champions of equity, diversity, and inclusion accompanied by a moderated panel discussion designed to inspire change. This online event will be held on February 8, 12-1pm, over Zoom. The keynote speaker is Dr. Danièle Behn Smith. Read more and register here.

All students, faculty, and staff are also invited to attend a series of Anti-Racism educational workshops, either in person in the Connected Classroom (G139) at Notre Dame Campus or online. Through the workshops, critical concepts of race and racism will be unpacked for participants as contextualized in Canadian history and society. From this learning, participants will have a clear understanding of how racism operates and be provided with some initial strategies for taking an active role to eliminate barriers to access and equity.

Staff are encouraged to complete the Anti-Racism training on LEARN this month, if you haven’t already. The course speaks to unconscious bias, microaggressions, systemic racism, and privilege and purposefully challenges our staff to act when confronted with racism or discrimination, to create safe learning and working environments for all.

As we celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians, we also recognize the importance of equity and inclusion beyond the month of February. At RRC Polytech, we are committed to pursuing equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do, year-round.

Additional Resources:

• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) Resources has created a commemoration guide for Black History Month that RRC Polytech employees can use to celebrate and recognize the diverse experiences of Black Canadians: Commemoration Guide (PDF).
• CCDI is also hosting a free, live webinar for its employee partners on February 9, Black History Month: Unlearning Anti-Black Racism (Staff only; login required)
• CCDI past recording (no login required) Addressing Anti-Black Racism in the Workplace
• CCDI past recording (no login required) History of race and racism in Canada
• CCDI Educational resources on racism and anti-Black racism
• Winnipeg Public Library: Black History Month
• Black History Manitoba
• CBC’s Black on the Prairies
• National Film Board of Canada: Journey to Justice
• Government of Canada: Noteworthy Historical Figures  
• CBC’s “The Secret Life of Canada” podcast: Crash Course on Black Nurses

If you have any questions, please contact us at diversity@rrc.ca.

You’re Invited – Addressing Structural Racism in Canada’s Healthcare System – Featured Expert and Virtual Panel Discussion

Health and healing, both mental and physical can present major challenges for Indigenous people and others in marginalized groups to work, learn and thrive. One of the areas that Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission identified to address in its 94 Calls to Action is Health. The effects of generations of trauma continue to be passed down in these communities and barriers caused by systemic or structural racism is resulting in a significant gap in health outcomes for Indigenous people across Canada.

Join RRC Polytech’s Anti-Racism Committee for the final presentation of a four-part virtual speaker series featuring champions of equity, diversity, and inclusion accompanied by a moderated panel discussion designed to inspire change.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Danièle Behn Smith. As B.C.’s Deputy Provincial Health Officer – Indigenous Health, she works alongside Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry to provide independent advice and support to the Ministry of Health to advance the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples and truth and reconciliation. 

Dr. Behn Smith is Eh Cho Dene (Big Animal People) of the Fort Nelson First Nation in B.C. with French Canadian/Métis roots in the Red River Valley. As both a physician and health leader, her work recognizes self-determination as the foundation of health and wellness among First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, and the importance of Indigenous approaches and healing systems.

She advocates for upholding the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples by illuminating and arresting the ways in which inherited ideologies of white supremacy and racism insidiously show up in everyday public health practices, policies, and approaches.  

Following her 20–25-minute presentation addressing structural racism in Canada’s healthcare system – Titi Tijani, President of African Communities of Manitoba Incorporated will join the discussion to add her perspective, further the conversation, and respond to questions from the audience.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2023 

Time: Noon – 1pm

Host: RRC Polytech’s Anti-Racism Committee via ZOOM

Moderator: Ginger Arnold, Instructor, Social Innovation and Community Development

Click to Register

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. If you require any accommodations, please contact kmichie@rrc.ca. For all other questions, please contact diversity@rrc.ca.

If you have technical difficulties when logging on to this Zoom event, please contact kmichie@rrc.ca or text 204-299-8000. 

Full Bios:

As a leader, internationally educated teacher, and activist, with over 25 years of experience in community development, Titi Tijani is a pillar in the African Community. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Ecology from University of Manitoba; and Certificates in Education, Community Leadership, NVCI Trainer and Conflict Resolution.  She has worked with Manitoba Housing, in Tenant Services since 1998 and currently as Director of Support Services.

Titi has volunteered in the African community for over 25 years, supporting the integration of newcomer women and their families.  As the President of African Communities of Manitoba Inc. (ACOMI) since 2017, Titi supports the African ethno cultural community organizations build and develop capacity to support their membership; preserve and promote African culture and heritage and promote cultural understanding in Manitoba. 

Her career in social services, education and her volunteer work with organizations like the Okin International Club of Canada (OICC), African Communities of Manitoba Inc., Manitoba Lung Association, Central Youth Justice Committee, Nigerian Association of Manitoba, the Black Community Collective and the Police Accountability Coalition have allowed her to advocate and support thousands of community members and organizations in their pursuit of building a more diverse, sustainable, and equitable Manitoba. 

It is for these reasons that Titi has been recognized by the Spirit of a Community Builder Award, the Premier’s Volunteer Service Award Certificate of Recognition, one of 100 most fascinating Manitobans in 2020, Manitoba Honour 150, Mayor’s Volunteer Service Award.in 2021 and most recently as a recipient of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Community Leadership Award in 2022.

Effective October 13, 2015, Dr. Danièle Behn Smith has been appointed as the province’s aboriginal health physician advisor.

Dr. Behn Smith works alongside, Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer. Dr. Behn Smith provides independent advice and support to the Ministry of Health on First Nations and Aboriginal health issues. In support of the Ministry’s strategic agenda, Dr. Behn Smith focuses on closing the gap in health outcomes between First Nations and other British Columbians.

Dr. Behn Smith is Eh Cho Dene (Big Animal People) of the Fort Nelson First Nation in B.C. with French Canadian/Métis roots in the Red River Valley. Since getting her Doctor of Medicine from McMaster University and completing residencies at the universities of Ottawa and Manitoba, Dr. Behn Smith’s career has spanned the country and the globe.

She has practiced rural medicine in remote communities across Canada and is currently a family physician at Tse’wulhtun Health Center in the Cowichan Valley. She was a board director for the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, the director of education for the University of Alberta’s Indigenous Health Initiatives Program and the site director of the University of British Columbia’s Aboriginal Family practice residency.

Dr. Behn-Smith was also the host of “Medicine Woman”, a 13-episode television series which explored traditional healing practices in ten countries on six continents.

Addressing the Combination of Systemic Racism and Ableism – Featured Expert and Virtual Panel Discussion

The first step in removing barriers to access and participation for all people is to identify and address the obstacles they are facing. Systemic racism exists in entrenched practices, beliefs, laws, and policies that produce, condone, and perpetuate widespread unfair treatment and oppression related to race. Ableism, or discriminating against people with learning and living challenges, is a deep-rooted construct that often unintentionally makes it more difficult for individuals with physical and neurological differences to succeed. 

Join RRC Polytech’s Anti-Racism Committee for the third in a four-part virtual speaker series featuring champions of equity, diversity, and inclusion in a post-secondary setting, accompanied by a moderated panel discussion designed to inspire change.

Keynote speaker, Laurelle Harris is the Founder, CEO and Principal Consultant at Equitable Solutions; an experienced litigator with formal training in mediation, arbitration and conflict resolution; an educator; and a caregiver to racialized individuals with disabilities. Ms. Harris will focus her discussion on ways in which systemic racism and ableism in combination can present in workplaces and educational settings and offer advice on how to address it.

An RRC Polytech student and Executive Director will then join the discussion to share their experiences and suggestions and respond to questions from the audience.

Event Details

• Date: November 4, 2022 
• Time: Noon – 1pm
• Host: RRC Polytech’s Anti-Racism Committee via ZOOM

Keynote

Laurelle Harris, Principal Consultant at Equitable Solutions

Laurelle Harris has undertaken graduate studies in Women’s Studies and Black Studies at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio as well as pursuing Women’s Studies at the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba. Ms. Harris earned her law degree in 2001 from the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba and is an experienced litigator with formal training in mediation, arbitration and conflict resolution undertaken locally and at York University in Toronto, Ontario.

She founded Equitable Solutions Consulting in 2020 offering services which help organizations meet their goals to be more equitable and inclusive, including:

• Organizational assessments and equity action plan development
• Dedicated organizational support and strategic advice relating to equity, anti-racism, and leadership development
• People, culture, and wellness support, including workplace investigations, policy and process development, and equitable recruitment support
• Anti-racism and equity education

Coming from a family of educators, Ms. Harris finds teaching to be a rewarding way to contribute to effecting change in our communities. Ms. Harris teaches and practices using an anti-racist, intersectional feminist analysis to better understand, dismantle, and counter structural oppressions. She has taught Women’s Studies at the undergraduate level and has also taught at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law.

Ms. Harris has served on local and national boards and committees and has volunteered extensively in the area of community health. Within the legal community, Ms. Harris also serves as a director with the Manitoba Law Foundation and as a member of the Legal Aid Manitoba Advisory Committee. She also chairs the Manitoba Bar Association’s Equality Issues Section.

Panel

BJ Canard, RRC Polytech Student, Social Innovation and Community Development program

William Canard is better known to his friends and family as Billy Joe or BJ. He’s currently enrolled in the Social Innovation and Community Development program through the School of Indigenous Education at RRC Polytech. BJ is a 46-year-old Indigenous male who is visually impaired. Before his vision loss he worked as a cook and a chef for nearly 20 years so with his background in hospitality and the new skills he’s developing at the College he’s hoping to get into event planning. BJ enjoys a wide variety of interests from playing guitar and music, to audiobooks and is considering getting into the golf program at Blind Sports Manitoba

Arnold Boldt, RRC Polytech Executive Director, Policy and Projects

Arnold Boldt O.C., M.Ed. has contributed extensively to variety of post-secondary teaching and leadership roles over the past 35 years. Beginning his career as an Instructor at Keewatin Community College (now UCN), he also served as a Chair, Principal and Executive Director of Inter-Universities North’s First-Year Distance Education program at KCC before moving on to create and administer an adult learning centre for the Nisichawayasihk Education Authority (in Nelson House).

He then spent 18 years with Saskatchewan Polytech serving as a Dean (technology), Associate Vice-President (learning & teaching) and Provost & VPA (interim). Since 2016 Arnold has been with RRC Polytechnic serving as Executive Director, Academic, Special Advisor to the VPA and now as ED, Policy & Projects. Arnold’s involvement in elite-level athletics and para-cycling includes participation in six Paralympics and numerous national and world championships. His Paralympic high jump record of 1.96m in 1980 (Arnhem, Netherlands) still stands, as do his world championship mark of 2.04m (Rome 1981) and indoor mark of 2.08m (Herald Tribune Games, Winnipeg, 1981). He has been inducted into four sports halls of fame, including the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. For his life-long contributions to the Paralympic movement and advocacy for disabled people in Canada and other parts of the world, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada by the Governor General in 2012 and received both the Queen’s Golden (2002) and Diamond (2012) Jubilee Medals.

Moderator

Joshua Malam, RRC Polytech Student, Business Administration (Marketing)

Joshua Malam is a Marketing Major in the Business Administration Program at RRC Polytech. He believes strongly in community engagement and advocacy for students. A mature accessibility student, Joshua is familiar with some hoops and hurdles that persons with disabilities must navigate for equal opportunity and success. Both thankful for the opportunities afforded by Student Accessibility Services and the great love for RRC Polytech, Joshua volunteers time back to his college community. He Has sat on the Board of Directors for The Red River College Polytechnic Students’ Association and, in May, fulfilled a term as the interim VP of Academic. A fundamental principle guides Joshua to repair the world; cultural teaching passed down from his mother and the Jewish community. Joshua fights hard to give back to his community and help to break down barriers and help others navigate a path to success.