Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility on Campus

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Inclusion Week: Daily Acts of Inclusion

February 28, 2025

RRC Polytech students playing games at the Notre Dame Campus.

In recognition of Inclusion Week, we’re excited to share five simple but impactful acts of inclusion that you can easily incorporate into your daily interactions. Each of these small, intentional actions is designed to foster a more inclusive environment. The goal is to inspire you to actively create a culture of difference where everyone feels empowered and appreciated.

Inclusion isn’t just about a single week – it’s a continuous effort. Here’s how you can start:

Monday: Pull in Underheard Voices

Inclusion starts by actively engaging those who haven’t had the chance to share their thoughts in discussions or those who might not always speak up. In class discussions, group projects, or casual conversations, ask: “Would you like to share your perspective on this?” or “How would you approach this idea?” Creating space for everyone to share their ideas ensures all voices are heard, considered, and valued.

By pulling in underheard voices into the conversation, we empower everyone to contribute. This small but powerful act fosters collaboration, builds trust, and creates a more inclusive environment where all ideas are respected, leading to richer discussions and more creative solutions.

Tuesday: Get Names Right

Today, let’s be intentional about getting names right! It’s a simple way to show respect and care for your classmates. Take the time to learn and pronounce their names correctly. Use their preferred names consistently. If you’re not sure, just ask politely! It’s totally okay to ask and practicing shows that you value them.

Getting someone’s name right is a small but significant way to show you see, value and respect them for who they are. This simple gesture can go a long way in making everyone feel included.

Wednesday: Acknowledge Contributions

Let’s shine a light on everyone’s efforts – no matter how big or small – and make them feel valued! Whether you’re in class, collaborating on a group project, chatting with friends, or sending emails, make sure you’re giving recognition for ideas and efforts where it’s due. Saying something like, “That’s a great point!” can make someone feel appreciated.

Acknowledging people’s contributions openly builds a culture of appreciation and positivity. Plus, it helps everyone feel like their ideas are valued.

Thursday: Share Resources and Normalize Challenges

Facing a new task, project, or subject can be overwhelming. One way to support each other is by sharing helpful resources, tools, advice, or quick tips that made things easier for you when you faced similar challenges. Offering help and sharing your experiences not only makes others feel supported, but also empowers them to ask for help, and fosters a sense of community.

Creating a culture of shared resources and normalized challenges fosters empathy, collaboration, and inclusion. It shows that it’s okay to struggle, and it’s okay to ask for help.

Friday: Circle Back and Create Space in Conversations

As Inclusion Week draws to a close, let’s ensure everyone has the opportunity to be heard. If someone is interrupted, make sure to circle back and give them space to finish their thoughts. A simple “I think [name] had a good point – let’s hear the rest of it” makes a big difference in keeping the conversation inclusive. It’s also okay to pass if they don’t have anything to add.

Circling back and creating space for everyone to speak shows respect and helps everyone feel that their contributions matter. This fosters better teamwork and collaboration.

And that’s a wrap for Inclusion Week!

Here’s a quick recap of the five acts of inclusion you can try:

  • Monday: Pull in Underheard Voices
  • Tuesday: Get Names Right
  • Wednesday: Acknowledge Contributions
  • Thursday: Share Resources and Normalize Challenges
  • Friday: Circle Back and Create Space in Conversations

Remember, even small actions can have a huge impact!

While Inclusion Week provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on how we can be more inclusive, true change happens when we make inclusion a consistent, ongoing practice. Inclusion Week is just the beginning. Let’s commit to making inclusion a consistent, intentional practice—one day at a time, no matter the time of year.

These practical tips were shared by Robyn Penner Thiessen, a DEI consultant passionate about creating more inclusive workplaces and specializing in helping leaders develop the skills and strategies to lead inclusively. Learn more at robynpennerthiessen.com or by reaching out at robyn@robynpennerthiessen.com.

Show your support during Ramadan

February 27, 2025

A colourful graphic with the word Ramadan written across.

RRC Polytech is committed to creating a respectful community that is diverse, inclusive and equitable — a place where we can come together to better understand, embrace and uplift each other’s culture and experiences, and a place where all are welcomed for who we are, and for what we can build together.

Ramadan is a sacred month for Muslims around the world, marked by obligatory fasting and a spiritual cleanse.

To members of the faith, the ninth month on the Islamic lunar calendar is considered the holiest and healthy adults who are able, are required to fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate. Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion and special prayers.

In 2025, the month-long fast of Ramadan begins around February 28 and ends around March 29. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate one of their major holidays called Eid ul-Fitr or the “Festival of the Breaking of the Fast.” In 2025 the holiday will be celebrated around March 29 or 30, and features prayer ceremony, food, games and presents for children as friends and family spend time together.

While the personal commitment to these sacred rituals may go unnoticed by some and spark curiosity in others, please be mindful that this observance may result in altered sleep patterns, changes in energy levels, increased anxiety around meeting deadlines, and requires a commitment to prayer timings.

Here are a few ways for non-Muslims to be supportive of students, staff and members of the College community who are fasting for Ramadan:

Be flexible, adaptable, and respectful.

Be conscientious of how much physical energy is required for an activity or outing you may propose, the time of day in which meetings or events may fall, and the settings in which you are doing them.

There are also various reasons Muslims may not be fasting, premised in the faith tradition or entirely personal, so you shouldn’t assume or ask someone if they’re observing. Please respect their privacy unless they choose to share and engage.

Be an ally in your department to those who are observing Ramadan and seek out more information to better understand and support your colleagues.

Click here to learn more about Ramadan

Pink Shirt Day 2025

February 24, 2025

February 26 is Pink Shirt Day, a day to take a stand against bullying. 

Pink Shirt Day began in 2007 in Nova Scotia when a grade 9 boy was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. 

Two of his classmates organized a schoolwide protest, asking all students, teachers and staff to wear pink in solidarity and to demonstrate there is no place for bullying. 

Every Year, Pink Shirt Day is a reminder to create a more kind, inclusive world by raising awareness and funds for anti-bullying initiatives. 

A pink t-shirt with an image of a feather on the front.Show your solidarity this Wednesday by wearing a pink shirt – you can purchase one from the Campus Store, designed by Oromocto First Nation student artist Brooke Gillam. 

Artist Statement: 

“I chose a sacred feather because it symbolizes and represents a high honour, wisdom, power, and freedom. The three hearts inside represent kindness, friendship, and love. When I tied the two together, it felt right because my heart told me it felt like it was meant to be.” – Artist Brooke Gillam, Oromocto First Nation 

Please note that both locations of the Campus Store are closed from Tuesday, February 25th – Friday, February 28th.

Respectful College – Online Training 

RRC Polytech has developed a course called Respectful College Training to support our commitment to a safe and inclusive working and learning environment where everyone is entitled to be free from bullying, harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence. 

The Respectful College Training course is available to all staff and students and takes about two hours to complete. Staff and students who complete the full training, including learning activities, will be eligible to print a Certificate of Completion.

Staff can login to HRIS to complete the training: HUB > HR Unlimited > My Portal > My Learning > Learning Library > More > Choose the Course to take > Click Enroll.

Students can access the training by logging in to LEARN.

Anti-Racism: It’s Not a Grey Area

February 14, 2025

RRC Polytech is embarking on a mission to recognize the truth about racism in our institution.

Because anti-racism is not a grey area – to make the reconciliatory change we want to see, we must confront the truth, past and present.

Regular features on our Diversity blog will explore various aspects of the College through the lens of anti-racism and through historical contexts.

As Manitoba’s leading provider of applied education and research, RRC Polytech graduates students into a wide range of industries, equipping them with advanced skills and values that emphasize teamwork and inclusiveness. We believe that the College’s identity should be shaped by the people who learn, teach, and work here. We want to empower students, faculty and staff to carry that identity with them in the workplace and greater community.

To ensure all people thrive at the College, we continuously identify and address racism in our systems and attitudes. Whatever the mechanism – policy change, for example – education always follows. Because a policy to advance anti-racism is nothing without a concerted effort to inform College community members why the change was made and how it will make our community more open to all.

This process of re-education is itself a response to the historical framework of post-secondary education – one that has created disparities of opportunity along the lines of race in institutions such as RRC Polytech for generations.  

True systemic change begins with education.

Communicating why practices in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) are important shifts the way we think about anti-racism. It’s more than just ‘not being racist.’

Safety and respect are critical to success in educational and professional settings. Many people navigate institutions that were not designed with their realities in mind, and as a result, they may face microaggressions, discrimination, or a lack of culturally responsive support systems. When we don’t actively consider these experiences, we risk maintaining an environment where some students and faculty don’t feel respected and struggle to thrive.

RRC Polytech must take an active role in not only addressing its internal systems, but communicating why practices in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) are important so we can shift the way we think about anti-racism. It’s more than just ‘not being racist.’

Many organizational structures that we see in Canada today were designed to benefit western European settlers, which created policies and cultural norms that excluded Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities from equitable access to the same resources. Because of this, educational institutions have overlooked the histories, contributions, and knowledge systems of many cultures and peoples.

In our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, we learn, discuss and reflect about the wrongdoings that have been perpetrated against Indigenous Peoples since the time of contact and the ongoing impacts – this is Truth. Recognizing those wrongdoings enables us to take action in ways that can better support Indigenous people, families, and communities – and this is Reconciliation.

The same approach is one RRC Polytech is committed to making towards anti-racism; knowing the truth is recognizing that racism is not a thing of the past and ‘not being racist’ is not enough to make the change we want to see. Taking action to reconcile is making goals using the information we have to better support our community and ensuring that everyone has equitable opportunities to succeed.

By prioritizing anti-racist learning, we can make RRC Polytech, in and of itself, demonstrative of the values we hold. The students who come through our doors can become agents of change in creating organizations that are reflective of the people for which they provide.

We have come a long way since our founding as the Industrial Vocational Education Centre in 1938 – we have introduced International Education, the Centre for Newcomer Integration, the School of Indigenous Education, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development, and many more initiatives and policies in EDIA. We explain why we have these and what the benefits are for the people for whom they’re designed, but we don’t always explicitly articulate the historical context that creates the need for these specialized areas in the first place.

And the truth is, these contexts are deeply rooted in discrimination, racism, and colonialism. Future anti-racism features on the Diversity blog will delve into the histories that prompted the development of these areas, policies, and practices, and the impact that they’ve had in making safe and respectful learning and working environments for the people for whom they’re designed.

Visit the Anti-Racism section on our website and subscribe to the Diversity Blog for the latest updates on RRC Polytech’s exploration in anti-racism, and remember: it’s not a grey area.

Social Justice Coffee House

February 12, 2025

With the success of our first social justice coffee house, we’re pleased to host another one during Inclusion Week 2025! All staff, faculty, and students are invited to be a part of this event. Whether you want to be a performer or simply attend, we welcome you to participate!

This year’s theme is food insecurity. Compassion and understanding are key to tackling this issue, helping us address the root causes and create real change. Want to learn more about food insecurity? Check out these resources:

Event Details:

  • Date: March 5, 2025
  • Time: 10:30 a.m.– 11:30 a.m.
  • Location: Roundhouse Auditorium (Second Floor), Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, Exchange District Campus

What to Expect: 

  • You can share readings (poetry, fiction, or non-fiction), sing, engage in discussions, or take part in discussing food insecurity. Our goal is to create a safe space to express your thoughts, connect with others, and learn together.
  • Collecting Donations: Bring donations of snacks, non-perishable food, gently used winter clothing, travel-sized hygiene items, or new socks. All donations will be shared with Community 204, an organization that support people experiencing housing insecurity in Winnipeg.

Why Attend?

  • Express Yourself: This is a safe space to share your thoughts on important social justice issues.
  • Connect with Peers: Meet others who are passionate about creating positive change.
  • Learn and Grow: Gain new perspectives on social justice and food insecurity.

How to Participate:

  • Perform or Present: If you’d like to perform or present, please fill out the form below to share what you’d like to contribute.
  • Be an Audience Member: If you’re not performing, your presence and support will make a difference! Please fill out the form to let us know you’ll be attending. Afterward, you’ll receive a meeting invite to hold the space in your calendar.
  • Registration Form via MS Forms.

Refreshments:
Enjoy complimentary coffee and light snacks throughout the event.

Inclusion Week 2025

February 12, 2025

A group of people play with an oversized Jenga set.

RRC Polytech’s third annual Inclusion Week is March 3 to 7, 2025! The week-long event is filled with in-person and virtual opportunities for students, staff and faculty to learn how to embody equity, diversity, and inclusion at work, in class, and in our personal lives.

We strive to host accessible events. If you require an accommodation, please email diversity@rrc.ca.

Schedule of Events

Monday, March 3

Immersive Stories
with Jay Scott, hosted by Desirae Mercer
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Roundhouse Auditorium, Manitou a bi Bii daziigae

Jay will speak on themes of resilience, Neurodiversity in the workplace, and the importance of diagnosis at any age

About the Presenter

Jay Scott is wearing a hat and smiling at the camera.Jay Scott is an instructor at RRC Polytech’s ACE Project Space and chairs the Neurodiversity Working Group, working to promote awareness and support for neurodivergent people. Before teaching, he worked in software development, building electronic medical records at Varian Medical Systems and later programming within game engines and tools at Ubisoft Winnipeg. Diagnosed with ADHD in 2022 and autism last year, Jay spent a long time wondering why certain tasks felt impossible to start, both at work and at home. Medication was a game-changer—it made directing focus so much easier, particularly on work that isn’t exciting or urgent. 

Register for Immersive Stories Here

Experiential Learning: Personal Land Acknowledgement Workshop
with Gerald Sereda
12:00 to 1:00 p.m. | Hybrid: in-person and online via MS Teams
Prairie Lights, Notre Dame Campus

This workshop is designed to empower participants with the knowledge and skills to create meaningful and respectful land acknowledgments. Participants will delve into the historical context of colonization and its impact on Indigenous peoples, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the adversities and challenges faced. Participants will explore various types of land acknowledgments and the essential components of crafting a personalized and authentic land acknowledgement. 

By the end of this workshop, participants will have the knowledge and skills to create their own personalized land acknowledgments, fostering a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural contexts surrounding Indigenous lands. This workshop aims to inspire participants to further their commitment to ongoing learning and advocacy for Indigenous rights and reconciliation. 

register for personal land ackNOWLEDGEMENT workshop


About the Presenter

Gerald works for Red River College Polytechnic as an Educational Developer with an Indigenous Focus to support the integration of Indigenous language tradition, and culture into course design.   

Gerald is a member of the Red River Metis and was born in Treaty 1 Territory. After receiving his Bachelor of Computer Science and Bachelor of Education he enrolled in the Master of Education program with a focus on curriculum design and development with coursework in Educational/Assistive technology, and Indigenous education.   

Gerald has over 20 years of experience in various capacities as an instructor, counsellor and an Assistive Technology Consultant from Alberta. 

The Hidden Strength of Introverts (for Faculty and Staff)
1:00 to 2:00 p.m. | Virtual via MS Teams

While introverts make up approximately 50% of society, today’s world praises being social and outgoing above all else. This makes it difficult to feel valued when one is quiet or reserved. Introverts are often described with terms that have a negative connotation (think: shy, aloof, rude, boring, unfit to lead), and while introverts may not be the most outspoken people in the room and are often overlooked, the reality is that they have many strengths that are valuable and should be celebrated. During this one-hour session participants will learn about these hidden strengths and ways to harness those strengths for success in the workplace (and beyond). 

Register in My Learning: HUB >HR Unlimited > My Portal> My Learning. 

Please note that this session will not be recorded. 

About the Presenter: Nicola McCrabbe, MSc PCC (she/her) 

Nicola McCrabbe is a skilled workshop facilitator, leadership coach, and author with extensive experience in organizational wellness, stress management, and burnout prevention. Originally from Northern Ireland, she began her career in education before participating in a teaching exchange in Saskatoon. After transitioning to corporate IT, she worked in both Dublin, Ireland, and Calgary, Canada. She later returned to education, teaching as a tenure-track faculty member at Mount Royal University and later in continuing education at the University of Calgary. 

Nicola currently teaches workshops for corporate and academic audiences on a wide range of topics related to leadership, resilience, and stress management. Known for being knowledgeable, approachable, and professional, she creates dynamic, interactive learning experiences tailored to diverse needs. With a strong background in both corporate IT and adult education, she brings a unique perspective to her workshops, blending practical business insights with hands-on teaching experience. Author of a book on burnout, she is passionate about supporting individuals and organizations in achieving balanced, sustainable success. 

Metis Style Beading Class
with Lucy Lindell
2:00 to 4:00 p.m. | In-person
Prairie Lights, Notre Dame Campus

The word for bead in Indigenous languages translates to “spirit” and “spirit berry.” In this workshop, beading techniques will be shared along with spirit relations.  

A main part of colonization was to sever the relationship with our spirits and hearts. Through beading and acknowledgement, we can take steps to grow and repair our spirit relations in a good way. One bead at a time, we can bead ourselves back into Creation. 

About the Presenter

Portrait of Lucy Lindell smiling and looking at the camera.

Lucy Lindell (she/her) is a Métis free-hand beadwork artist and instructor from the Turtle Clan, raised in Eriksdale, Manitoba. She began to bead in 2019 with Lawrie Barkwell and moved between beading free-hand and with designs that were shared with the Louis Riel Institute. Beading became a way for Lucy to reconnect with her body and identity, helping her find hope and healing through every bead. Her knowledge keeper once shared that the word for “bead” in different Indigenous languages translates to spirit, little spirit, and spirit berry. Lucy enjoys sharing her culture and ways of knowing, serves as a helper at the sweat lodge and Sundance, and is currently completing her Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies with a memoir and auto-ethnography-based thesis titled Beaded and Braided Stories: The Need for Reflection on Everyday Peace and Conflict.

register for Metis Style Beading Class

Tuesday, March 4

Dimensions of Diversity and Inclusion for Trans People in the World
with Shandi Strong, Featured Speaker
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Hybrid: in-person and virtual (through MS Teams)
Roundhouse Auditorium, Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, Exchange District Campus

Trans People, despite gains, remain among the most marginalized in the world, including Canadian society. They continue to live their lives facing disadvantage, prejudice, stereotyping, and vulnerability.  As a former victim of such treatment there is a story to be told of a path towards hope and understanding for all. Shandi will share her story and what we can do to support transgender inclusion. There will be time for Q&A at the end of the session. 

register for dimensions of diversity and inclusion for trans people in the world
Image of Shandi Strong smiling and looking at the camera.

About the Presenter
Shandi Strong is a pillar for the transgender community in western Canada. In 2016, she was the first openly transgender person to run for provincial office. She’s been on the board for Winnipeg Pride, Manitobans for Human Rights and Our Own Health Centre. She even led the very first Trans March in Manitoba. It is evident by all the amazing work she’s done and all of her accomplishments that she is a shining star of Manitoba’s trans community.

Gender and Sexual Diversity Inclusion Experiential Booth
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | In-person
Atrium, Roblin Centre, Exchange District Campus (pre-event) Roundhouse, Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, Exchange District Campus (post-event)

Visit members of the RRC Gender and Sexual Diversity Group to learn about community flags. Engage in a “Guess the Flag” game. The group will have information about the RRC Rainbow Walkways and RRC Polytech’s Personalized Pride Design. Visit the booth to pick up a pride button and enter our book draw.

About the Presenter
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 Gender and Sexual Diversity. The group supports events and initiatives around GSD EDI at RRC Polytech.

Introduction to Basic American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Culture
with Cindy Koskie
1:00 to 2:00 p.m. | In-person
Prairie Lights, Notre Dame Campus

This workshop will offer an introduction to both basic ASL and Deaf Culture. Together we will learn basic greetings in ASL in conjunction with the ASL manual alphabet – utilizing fingerspelling as a communication tool and conveying cultural awareness and respect for the Deaf Community to widen awareness about Deaf Culture. This session will be interpreted.

About the Presenter
Cindy Koskie is an Educational Assistant in the AEIP Program at RRC Polytechnic. She has over 30 years of experience teaching American Sign Language (ASL) and is passionate about education. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active with long hikes, swimming, and running, as well as spending quality time with her family. Cindy looks forward to introducing participants to basic ASL signs.

Space is limited to the first 20 participants.

register for introduction to basic american sign language and deaf culture

Film Screening – Between: Living in the Hyphen
1:00 to 2:00 p.m. | In-person
Roundhouse Auditorium, Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, Exchange District Campus

Between: Living in the Hyphen offers a provocative glimpse of what the future holds: a departure from hyphenated names towards a celebration of fluidity and being mixed. 
 
Cover image of Between: Living in the Hyphen, featuring a person looking over their shoulder.

Anne Marie Nakagawa’s documentary examines what it means to have a background of mixed ancestries that cannot be easily categorized. By focusing on 7 Canadians who have one parent from a European background and one of a visible minority, she attempts to get at the root of what it means to be multi-ethnic in a world that wants each person to fit into a single category. 

Wednesday, March 5

Disability Awareness Presentation by Manitoba Possible
with Darrin Luke
10:00 to 11:00 a.m. | In-person
Prairie Lights, Notre Dame Campus

The Disability Awareness Presentation focuses on how to interact with and serve people with disabilities, emphasizing respectful language and addressing attitudinal barriers.

register for Disability Awareness Presentation by Manitoba Possible


About the Presenter:

Photo of Darrin Luke, looking at the camera.

I am the Training Coordinator at Manitoba Possible and my job entails educating the public about disability, accessibility, and inclusion  I acquired my injury at the age of ten by means of a cancerous spinal tumour that caused me to become a T7 paraplegic which means I am paralysed from the waist down. Despite my disability I have been able to acquire a Bachelor of Arts in History and French at the University of Waterloo, an Education Degree at the University of Windsor and a Human Resources Degree through the University of Manitoba.  I spend a lot of my time with my wonderful spouse Jenny and our dog Harley and our cats Gretz and Clark .  My other passions lie in sport where I have completed 4 Half Marathons, play Sledge Hockey, Wheelchair tennis and Waterski.

Accessible Sports with Manitoba Possible (Curling & Boccia)
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | In-person
North Gym (Main Court), Notre Dame Campus

Join us for an engaging and hands-on event where you can learn about accessible sports in Manitoba. This interactive session will introduce you to wheelchair floor curling and boccia, two inclusive and exciting activities that everyone can enjoy. What to expect: 

  • Learn about the history and importance of accessible sports in the province. 
  • Participate in a hands-on demonstration of Boccia and Wheelchair Floor Curling. 
  • Enjoy guided practice with coaching and support from Manitoba Possible experts. 
  • Player Limits: Wheelchair Floor Curling: 16 players at a time; Boccia: 16 players at a time. 

Note: Please remember to bring your athletic shoes, wear comfortable clothing, and sign the facility waiver when you arrive at the event.

Register for Accessible Sports with Manitoba Possible (Curling & Boccia).

About the Presenter

With Jaylene Irwin, Manager, Recreation, Leisure & Accessible Sport, and McKenna Wild, Recreation Staff at Manitoba Possible.

Social Justice Coffee House
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. | In-person
Roundhouse Auditorium, Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, Exchange District Campus

The Anti-Racism Action Committee is excited to host a Social Justice Coffee House during Inclusion Week, and we warmly welcome all staff, faculty and students to join us for this inspiring event! The Social Justice Coffee house will be a collaborative event where participants are welcome to attend as audience members and/or as performers.   

Participants can sign up to share readings (poetry, fiction, non-fiction), sing songs, engage in discussions, or have cultural exchanges about social justice topics. The goal is to have a safe space to voice thoughts and feelings on social justice matters, connect with peers, and learn and grow.   

Theme: Food Insecurity  

Donation: Donate snacks, non-perishable food items, gently used winter clothing, travel-sized personal hygiene items, or socks. that will be shared with Community 204 to be distributed to people experiencing housing insecurity in Winnipeg  

register for Social Justice Coffee House

Cultural Inclusion Event: Sharing Our Heritage!
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | In-person
Library Hallway, Notre Dame Campus

Step into a world of colors, sounds, and stories as students from the Global Access – Intensive English for International Students 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 of 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 17 different countries. Everyone is welcome! 

Drop in, no registration required. 

Immersive Stories
with Wilson Reid, hosted by Rebecca Molly Hiebert
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | In-person/hybrid
Roundhouse Auditorium, Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, Exchange District Campus

This session touches on the following themes:

  • Autism
  • Being bipolar and visiting the psych ward
  • Ankylosing spondylitis (a type of arthritis)
  • Addictions
  • Becoming a teacher at RRC Polytech

About the Presenter

Join Wilson Reid, an instructor in RRC Polytech’s Application, Development, and Delivery program, as he shares his powerful journey of resilience, self-discovery, and overcoming adversity. From navigating autism, bipolar disorder, and addiction to managing ankylosing spondylitis (a type of arthritis), Wilson offers a raw and honest perspective on perseverance through life’s challenges and his path to becoming an instructor. 

Register for Immersive Stories Here

Neurodiversity @ RRC Polytech
with the Neurodiversity Working Group
1:00 to 2:00 p.m. | In-person
Roundhouse Auditorium, Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, Exchange District Campus

Did you know approximately 20% of people are neurodivergent? That means one in five people has a brain that works differently from the “neurotypical” majority.  

All staff and students are invited to visit the Neurodiversity Working Group Information Booth during Inclusion Week to learn more about what it means to be neurodivergent. The Neurodiversity Working Group was created in 2024 to raise awareness and offer support to our college community. Join us to ask questions and learn more about available supports for staff/students.  

We will have some fun games to play as well – hope to see you there. 

Cultural Karaoke
Hosted by the RRC Polytech Students’ Association
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. | In-person
Room P107, Roblin Centre, Exchange District Campus

Join the Student Association for a fun Cultural Karaoke event! Come and sing along to songs from different cultures and countries. You can sing or just enjoy watching others. It’s a great way to have fun, meet new people, and learn about different cultures. Everyone is welcome! 

Drop in, no registration required. 

Thursday, March 6

Accessibility and Assistive Technology at Work
With Erica Ament, Assistive Technology at RRC Polytech
9:00 to 10:00 a.m. | Online via MS Teams

Do you want to learn more about Accessibility and Accessible Best Practices? About how to create and share content that is accessible to a wider range of individuals? Would you like to learn about accessibility features in specific programs or your devices? …Or how to possibly make your (work) life easier? Then virtually join Erica Ament, RRC’s Assistive Technologist, at “Accessibility and Assistive Technologies at Work.”

About the Presenter

Erica Ament has been with the College for six years in our Student Accessibility Services department. Erica has worked with individuals with disabilities for over 15 years in various settings including: coordinating multiple after school recreation programs and summer camps for youth; as an Educational Assistant in the K-12 school system; in group homes; in daycares/summer camps; and even spent time volunteering to support elementary school students with disabilities in Central America. Erica holds a BA in Sociology and Conflict Resolution Studies, and during her studies explored and wrote about the education of individuals with disabilities. Erica strongly believes in I/UDL and is passionate about sharing how technology can support all learners.

Register for Accessibility and Assistive Technology at Work

Film Screening – Between: Living in the Hyphen
12:00 to 1:00 p.m. | In-person
Prairie Lights, Notre Dame Campus

Between: Living in the Hyphen offers a provocative glimpse of what the future holds: a departure from hyphenated names towards a celebration of fluidity and being mixed. 
 
Cover image of Between: Living in the Hyphen, featuring a person looking over their shoulder.

Anne Marie Nakagawa’s documentary examines what it means to have a background of mixed ancestries that cannot be easily categorized. By focusing on 7 Canadians who have one parent from a European background and one of a visible minority, she attempts to get at the root of what it means to be multi-ethnic in a world that wants each person to fit into a single category. 

Immersive Stories: Indigenous Filipino Psychology
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | In-person/hybrid
with Janine Bucklaschuk, hosted by Desirae Mercer
Prairie Lights, Notre Dame Campus

This Immersive Story explores the following themes:

1) Indigenous Filipino Psychology

2) Relational words

3) Connecting to the Filipino culture and identity

4) Supporting decolonization and Indigenization in the classrooms

5) Land acknowledgement

About the Presenter

Janine Bucklaschuk smiles at the cameraJanine is currently an Acting Chair for the School of Continuing Education, and was previously the Educational Developer who primarily supported the School of Indigenous Education. 
 
Janine was born in Pasay city and grew up in Parañaque city, located in the Philippine’s northern island Luzon. An avid reader and community builder, she uses the teachings of Virgilio G. Enriquez in Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology) to reconnect with her culture and decolonize the way she lives and approaches decisions in her professional life.

Register for Immersive Stories Here

Friday, March 7

Neuroinclusion at Work: Six Principles for Inclusion
With Sarah Darrell and Emma Duffy
9:00 to 10:30 a.m. | Online via MS Teams

Neurodiversity is the diversity of all people’s ways of thinking, learning, and behaving. Neuroinclusion refers to the movement to embrace neurological differences in our school, work and broader lives. During this session we will present the 6 Principles for Inclusion, which promote strategies in how everyone, students and staff, can create neuroinclusive learning and working on campus. You will leave this session with language, resources, and actionable ways you can support not only neurodivergent individuals, but everyone that you engage with, within the post-secondary environment.

About the Presenters

Emma Duffy smiles at the camera.Emma Duffy (She/Her) is a Workforce Solutions Lead at the Sinneave Family Foundation. She has a Bachelors in Community Rehabilitation & Disability Studies and a Masters in Management, along with 8 years of experience working with non-profits. Emma plays a lead role in ensuring the success of the NEUROinclusive Workforce Solutions service and is passionate about supporting employers and teams in learning more about how to be a neuroinclusive workplace. 

Sarah Darrell smiles at the camera.Sarah Darrell (She/Her) is an Inclusive Workforce Specialist at the Sinneave Family Foundation. Through her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology, minor in Business, experience in the public and private sector and lived experience, Sarah has strong foundational knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion and its role in business. She focuses on creating ways to share knowledge with employers and related stakeholders about the need for and value of neuroinclusion in work and learning environments. 

Register for neuroinclusion at work

Accessibility Information Session and Overview of Panorama for Faculty
With Natalija Aleko, Katherine Coley
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Online via MS Teams

RRC Polytech is committed to ensuring that all our programs’ course content meets the Accessibility for Manitobans Act’s (AMA) standards. To support this initiative, we are offering this virtual session specifically designed for Faculty. This session will include an overview of the Information and Communication Standard as well as a demonstration on using the Panorama software in LEARN to improve the accessibility of your course content.  

Learn about alternative formats, accessibility scores and reports, ways to fix detected issues and monitor accessibility of your LEARN courses using the Panorama dashboard.  

Register for accessibility information session and overview of panorama for faculty

Games for All
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | In-person
Library Hallway, Notre Dame Campus

Campus Well-being, in collaboration with Centre for International Education and Global Partnership, is hosting a pop-up game for Inclusion Week. Drop by any time to enjoy a variety of games and activities! Games include Jenga, Chess, Connect 4, Snakes & Ladders, Corn Hole, Table Tennis, Mini Basketball, Board Games, Playing Cards and more! 

No registration required. 

Self-Guided Resources

Accessibility

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

Anti-Racism

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

Indigenous Support

2SLGBTQIA+

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

General Inclusion Support

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

More Resources

Empowering Voices, Amplifying Black Narratives in Leadership – A Black History Month Event

February 11, 2025

The Afro-Caribbean Mentorship Program (ACMP), in partnership with RRC Polytech, University of Manitoba, and University of Winnipeg, will host one of its most popular annual Black History Month programs.

This event will celebrate the Black African Diaspora community in Canada and pay homage to the great accomplishments of the Black African Diaspora people throughout history, leading to the present.

The event will feature the Honourable Uzoma Asagwara, Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, as the keynote speaker, panel discussions, Black business showcases, bursaries for Black African Diaspora students (secondary and post-secondary Winnipeg students), recognition for trailblazers in the Black African Diaspora Winnipeg community and much more.

  • When: Friday, February 28, 2025
  • Time: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Location: Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, Exchange District Campus, RRC Polytech (319 Elgin Ave.)

Register for free on the Afro-Caribbean Mentorship Program website.

Black History Month

January 29, 2025

Image featuring an orange background and two hands, richly decorated with colourful patterns, clasped together. On either side of the hands, there are boxes filled with patterns and colours.

February is recognized as Black History Month, a time to reflect on and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black individuals and communities. The theme for 2025 is “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations”.

At RRC Polytech, we recognize the importance of Black history and culture in shaping a more inclusive and vibrant community. We are committed to creating a space where everyone feels welcome and valued.

Ways to learn more and celebrate Black History Month:

Holiday Greetings from RRC Polytech

December 19, 2024

Snow falling on a tree-lined street

The holiday season is a time when the snow assembles, and it’s also a time for families, friends and loved ones to assemble in celebration – to foster hope, love and new beginnings.

As this year comes to an end, RRC Polytech would like to extend its best wishes and heartfelt gratitude to each one of you and your loved ones.

We are proud and grateful for the diversity and richness every member of our community brings to our campus, and recognize the importance of fostering inclusion and respect for all cultures, traditions and beliefs.

While you connect and celebrate with your loved ones, remember that the holiday season holds a different meaning for everyone. Whether it’s Yule, Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, New Year’s or another holiday, let’s honour and embrace the rich diversity of cultures and celebrations.

Here are the dates of some holidays celebrated in December:

  • Yule: Saturday, December 21
  • Winter Solstice: Sunday, December 22
  • Hanukkah: begins Wednesday, December 25
  • Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25
  • Kwanzaa: Thursday, December 26

We encourage everyone to share their traditions and celebrations by completing the Celebrate Everything form. By sharing what you celebrate, you’re helping inform what RRC Polytech shares year-round for special holidays and days of importance in Staff and Student News as well as the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion on Campus blog.

Let’s continue to carry forward the values of kindness, compassion, inclusion, and mutual respect as we move on to new beginnings with the New Year.

Once again wishing everyone a joyful, peaceful and prosperous holiday season!

Human Rights Day 2024

December 6, 2024

Hands joining together in a circle

Human Rights Day is observed globally on December 10, in recognition of the United Nations General Assembly’s proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948.

The UDHR outlines the fundamental rights of all humans – including equality, life, freedom, and security – regardless of religion, language, gender, race, colour, opinion, property, or status.

Ways to Participate in Human Rights Day

Learning about human rights helps empower us to advocate for our rights and the rights of others.

For Human Rights Day 2024, the United Nations’ theme is Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now. The theme speaks to the everyday importance and relevance of human rights in our lives, acknowledging that we must do our part to speak up against hateful speech, correct misinformation, and counter disinformation. Together, we can mobilize global efforts towards a better, more equitable future for all.

Local Events in Celebration of Human Rights Day

Visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights on Tuesday, December 10, to enjoy free admission along with special programming and activities. Learn more at humanrights.ca.

Stop by The Forks on Tuesday, December 10, at 1:00 p.m. for a free Art + Human Rights Walking Tour. Hosted in collaboration with CMHR and Synonym Art Consultation, join artists Val Vint, KC Adams, and Jaimie Isaac, to gain insight on how art can share human rights stories, reflect the importance of place, and call for action. Register online at theforks.com.

RRC Polytech > Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility on Campus > News and Events > News

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anishininwak, Dakota Oyate, and Denésuline, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.

Learn more