Are you ready to take the next step in your career journey?

Join us at the Indigenous Career Fair, in partnership with RBC – where opportunity meets community. 

• Connect with employers and explore exciting opportunities with industries in-person. 

• Gain insights at the Resource Networking Tables on how to navigate College resources and get ideas for the next step in your career. 

• Get a professional-grade headshot for your LinkedIn profile with the RBC Headshot Lounge. 

This is your chance to network, gain valuable advice, and open doors to a future where your talents are celebrated. Check-in at the front of the gym for an Employer Passport – a card you can collect stamps on from employers to be entered for a chance to win exciting prizes! 

The Indigenous Career Fair was made possible by our partnership with RBC!

RBC is also generously providing the Pow Wow Pitch Box as part of the prizes available for students.

Want an extra chance to win? Pre-register online for the Indigenous Career Fair!  

The Resource Networking Tables at the Indigenous Career Fair will have booths students can stop at to learn more about the supports at the College, including Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) & Career Services, Resume Review, Networking 101/Transition Support to Employer Engagement, Circle of Friends Indigenous Mentorship Program, Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah, the Indigenous Support Centre, and RBC’s Careers, Pathways & Employer Connections. Gain practical career skills, build confidence in speaking with employers, expand your professional networks, and leave with clearer next steps for employment, mentorship, or further career development. 

• Date: Wednesday, March 25 
• Location: North Gym, Notre Dame Campus 
• Time: 11am – 1:30pm 

Need some help preparing? 

We’ve got some Career Fair Tips to help you out! 

Questions for Employers 

If you are stuck for some conversation starters, here are some questions that can get the ball rolling and make a strong impression with employers. These are just to get you started – make sure to check out the Resource Networking Tables at the Indigenous Career Fair for more ideas! 

Good luck at the Indigenous Career Fair! This is your chance to make an impression and find what kinds of jobs are out there when you take your next step after RRC Polytech.

Subscribe to the Indigenous Blog to get the latest updates on the Indigenous Career Fair and upcoming opportunities for networking and career development.

Mushkode Pizhikeh (MUSH-koh-day BEH-zhi-keh) – Bison-Fire

Elder Angela Roulette is a familiar face at schools in Portage la Prairie and a regular at the RRC Polytech Portage Campus. She brings traditional Teachings and stories to students of all ages – to children in grade schools and adults in post-secondary like RRC Polytech. She began her work with the Polytech over a year ago when she had offered a traditional prayer at convocation for the Portage Campus.

Room 2-16 on the second floor of the Portage Campus is home to a variety of events. Cultural gatherings, consultation sessions, and group meetings make use of the circular tables, where everyone is invited to sit at the same level. The ventilation system is a welcome function to allow for smudging in the space.

So, when Portage Campus recognized that the room could be a fitting space to carry an Indigenous name, the Polytech immediately turned to Elder Roulette.

Guy Moffat, regional manager for Portage Campus, approached Elder Roulette and offered Tobacco with the request for a name for the space.

On Wednesday, December 10, Elder Roulette gathered with a group of RRC Polytech staff and members of the Portage community, including city councilors and the mayor to conduct the Ceremony to welcome the name into the space. Elder Roulette said a prayer in Anishinaabemowin before everyone was invited to smudge. Introductions went around the table and Elder Roulette shared the story of how the name Mushkode Pizhikeh came to be.

“The bison represents respect,” said Elder Roulette. “This space – what it should be about is respect. People care about this space, they keep it clean, keep it free from vandalism.”

Elder Roulette says that while in consideration for the name, she remembered something she had learned a long time ago: she needs to listen. Listen to Creator, listen to signs around her for guidance. She shared that when she was considering the name, she was inspired by a gift from her late sister: a keychain in the shape of a bison. It’s a gift from someone she loved dearly.

Elder Roulette, a fluent Anishinaabemowin speaker, decided that the room would be called Mushkode Pizhikeh – which means Bison-Fire in English.

After determining the name for the space, Elder Roulette knew she had to gather some advice on how the word should be written. She is a fluent speaker who learned the language the way that her ancestors spoke, so she wasn’t entirely sure how the word should be spelled using English letters.

She consulted with the Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Education Centre and the Chief of Sandy Bay First Nation to determine how the word should be spelled, and they came up with: Mushkode Pizhikeh.

During the Ceremony, Elder Roulette presented a jar of clear water. She explained that she had filled the jar of water four years ago when she had met Rachel Templeton, office manager for the Portage Campus, and by the time the jar made it to the Polytech for the Ceremony, about a sixth of it had evaporated from the sealed jar.

Elder Roulette shared that the jar represents the importance of water. It represents the teachings these walls will witness in the future.

“In this educational place, they might just see a jar of water. But it’s important to remember that water is life. I tell that to all the kids in this town,” said Elder Roulette.

When thinking about the bison and the respect it represents, Elder Roulette also noted that the sun, the energy of that fire within, the inspiration that drives us to learn, are all things that are present in this place of education.

The Ceremony concluded with a Feast and conversation in Mushkode Pizhikeh to honour the new name.

Staff are very excited and proud to welcome Mushkode Pizhikeh into a space where people connect.

“As a staff member, I believe building relationships with Elders like Elder Angela helps create familiarity and a sense of belonging. Many Indigenous students leave their home communities to attend college, so having a piece of home here, someone they can talk to who carries cultural knowledge and wisdom can make a big difference. It helps our college feel more welcoming and connected. It’s about turning spaces into communities,” said Rachel Templeton, office manager for Portage Campus.

Moffat says that they’re hoping to have an Indigenous Elder like Roulette or another Knowledge Sharer on-campus at least once a month going forward to enrich students’ experience at the Polytech.

“Portage La Prairie has a very high population of Métis people and four of our closest neighbours are First Nation Communities, which allows us at the Portage Campus to have many opportunities to build relationships with Indigenous groups. I am also a member of Suta Kachicha (Portage Urban Indigenous Peoples Coalition) and we work hard to build relationships so that Elders, Olders, and Knowledge Sharers can work time into their schedules to spend time with the students at the Portage Campus,” said Moffat.

Portage Campus is looking forward to creating a Culture Corner in the student lounge with the help of Elder Roulette and other community Knowledge Sharers, where Indigenous arts, books, and other resources will be displayed.

Celebrate Indigenous Creativity at the Indigenous Makers Market

A correction has been made to this blog post. We sincerely apologize to Pitâw Mīno Muskîkî for incorrectly listing them as participating in this event. We regret any inconvenience this error may have caused.

RRC Polytech is proud to host an Indigenous Makers Market on Thursday, December 4, from 10am to 3pm in the Library Hallway at the Notre Dame Campus. This one-day market will bring together handmade works, stories, and community — guided by the vision and leadership of The Ode’imin Collective.

• Thursday, December 4 • 10am – 3pm
• Library Hallway, Mall Level, Notre Dame Campus

We invite students, staff, and community members to stop by the market, meet the makers, and support Indigenous artists. Every purchase directly contributes to sustaining Indigenous creativity, entrepreneurship, and youth mentorship.

For questions, contact Sara McIvor-Prouty at smcivor@rrc.ca.

About The Ode’imin Collective

The Ode’imin Collective Holiday Market is gearing up to brighten the season with a warm, community-focused celebration of Indigenous creativity. This festive market brings together a wide range of handmade goods crafted by talented Indigenous artisans, offering everything from beautiful gifts to meaningful pieces that reflect culture, skill, and story.

More than just a place to shop, the market highlights the incredible talent within the community and creates opportunities to uplift local makers. Visitors can connect with artists, learn about their work, and take home something truly unique. It’s a chance to support Indigenous creators, celebrate their contributions, and share in the spirit of the season.

Jig’n Time with Dean Davis (NDC)

Jigging has brought Métis people together for generations — it’s more than just dance, it’s a celebration of identity, community, and resilience.

Join us at the Indigenous Support Centre for Jig’n Time, an energetic midday session of jigging and square dancing led by renowned instructor Dean Davis. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned stepper, come connect through rhythm, laughter and tradition as part of our Thrive Week celebrations.

So grab your dancing shoes — let’s keep the tradition alive, one step at a time!

REGISTER – Thursday, November 6, 2025 in F205 from 12 to 1pm, Notre Dame Campus

Thrive Week is on the way! Take a break, recharge, and join in on free activities that spark creativity, connection, and calm. From yoga and mini massages to jigging, cat cafés, DIY workshops, and more — there’s something for everyone across all campuses.

For details, event calendars, and registration links, check out the full Thrive Week blog post on Campus Well-Being.

Join us at RRC Polytech for MMF Citizenship and Harvester Card sign-up sessions!

The Manitoba Métis Federation will be on campus September 23 at Notre Dame Campus (West Lot) and September 25 at Exchange District Campus (Atrium) from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. All students can apply free of charge, while staff will need to bring $10 cash for a Citizenship card and $10 for a Harvester card.

Bring these items to your appointment:

• Completed MMF Application Form
• Genealogy documentation (or supporting relative documents)
• Long-form birth or baptismal certificate
• Government-issued ID
• Passport-quality photo (can be taken on-site for free)
• Payment (if applicable)

This is your chance to complete your application in person and get help from MMF representatives. Don’t miss it! Subscribe to the Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement blog for more opportunities like this!

Join us to celebrate!

As summer turns to fall, the days and nights balance in harmony, reminding us of the cycles of change and renewal. The Fall Equinox is a time to gather in community, reflect on the season’s gifts, and prepare for the months ahead.

RRC Polytech invites students, staff, and community members to join us in honouring this transition with a Pipe Ceremony led by the Elders-in-Residence, followed by a Feast.

Friday, September 19, 2025
10am – Pipe Ceremony
12pm – Feast

Roundhouse Auditorium, Manitou a bi Bii daziigae
Exchange District Campus

This gathering is open to all. Please remember to bring your Feast Bag as we come together in respect, gratitude, and celebration of the season. No registration is required. If you have any questions, please contact Sara McIvor-Prouty, Manager, Indigenous Student Supports and Community Relations smcivor@rrc.ca.

Indigenous students at RRC Polytech are invited to attend a Status Card ID Clinic, hosted in partnership with the Southern Chiefs’ Organization. This event is an opportunity to apply for or renew your Status Card with support available to guide you through the process.

• Date: Wednesday, September 17
• Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Location: Indigenous Support Centre (F209)

Appointments are encouraged to ensure you have the correct documentation, but drop-ins will also be accepted.

To book an appointment and confirm the type of ID required for your application, contact
Haley Pratt, Navigation Coach at hpratt2@rrc.ca

Learn how to uncover insights, co-create solutions, and navigate complex systems with confidence.

Join Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development and Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah for an immersive, hands-on training experience led by WorkPlayExperience, a global leader in human-centered design and innovation.

Workshops will take place the week of August 11 – 15, 2025 each day.

You’ll gain:

• A solid foundation in service design & innovation methods
• Real-world application of design tools
• Confidence in systems thinking & co-creation
• Practical frameworks to take back to your team or community

For more information about WorkPlayExperience, visit their website.

Learn more about Service Design Training here.

Are you passionate about creating change in your community?

Curious about a career rooted in social justice, community work, and Indigenous ways of knowing? Come learn more about RRC Polytech’s Social Innovation and Community Development (SICD) program where you can meet instructors and current students, learn how the program integrates Indigenous perspectives, and find out about student supports, funding options, and the application process.

This info session is designed especially for Indigenous prospective students who want to make a difference and explore a path that honours culture, community, and innovation.

• Tuesday, July 8
• 5pm – 7pm
• The Roundhouse Auditorium, Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, 319 Elgin Ave.

Thinking about launching a career in tech or engineering?

Don’t miss RRC Polytech’s Pathway Programs Information Session on Tuesday, June 17, from 12–1 pm.

Discover the Pathway to Information Technology and Pathway to Engineering Technology programs – both are designed to support Indigenous students with academic upgrading, hands-on learning, and clear pathways into high-demand careers.

Learn about the wraparound supports through the School of Indigenous Education, including Elder support, navigation coaches, financial officers, and a welcoming community throughout your journey.

• Tuesday, June 17
• 12pm – 1pm
• Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, Exchange District Campus