Indigenous Education

Events

Pow Wow 2025: Registration

March 17, 2025

RRC Polytech is proud to host its 25th annual Pow Wow to recognize the achievements of Indigenous students.

Please join us to celebrate our students as we send them off on their continued journeys to success. The annual Pow Wow gives our community the opportunity to dance, drum, sing, eat, connect, and participate in Ceremony.

All Indigenous students graduating in 2025 are encouraged to join us to celebrate! Full-time, part-time, students that attend regional campuses, and students graduating in Fall 2025 are welcome to register and participate in Pow Wow.

FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025 • NOTRE DAME CAMPUS, NORTH GYM

  • 10am – Pipe Ceremony
  • 11am – Métis and Inuit Cultural Entertainment
  • 12pm – Grand Entry
  • 2pm – Honouring Indigenous Graduates
  • 3pm – Feast

Graduating students can register for attendance here. Graduates don’t need to register for stoles ahead of time and can pick them up at the Registration Table at the event.

Dancers and Drums can register at the Registration Table on the morning of the event.

Indigenous makers for the Indigenous Makers Market can register here.

Attendees don’t need to register ahead of time.

Spring Equinox Feast – March 21, 2025

March 5, 2025

You’re invited to join our celebration of the Spring Equinox!

The celebration will begin with a Pipe Ceremony led by the Grandparents-in-Residence in the Roundhouse Auditorium, followed by a Feast to celebrate the season and to feast the RRC Polytech bundles. Open to staff, students, and faculty, this gathering is a chance to connect, learn, and reflect with community.

  • Friday, March 21, 2025 – Exchange District Campus, Roundhouse Auditorium, 10 AM – 1 PM
    • 10 AM: Pipe Ceremony
    • 12 PM: Feast

No registration required. Feel free to bring your feast bundle to help reduce waste.

For questions, contact Sara McIvor-Prouty, Events and Facilities Coordination, School of Indigenous Education, at smicvor@rrc.ca.

About the Spring Equinox

The Spring Equinox is the official start of spring, when the north and south poles of the Earth are at equal distances from the Sun, and day and night are equal in length. This year, the Spring Equinox falls on March 20.

TRCE presents a special screening: SUGARCANE

February 26, 2025

Join us for a powerful screening about the resilience of spirit.

This stunning documentary by Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie is a tribute to the resilience of Indigenous people, offering a profound cinematic portrait of community and justice during a time of international reckoning.

Don’t miss this important and moving film. All staff are welcome.

  • Thursday, March 20 – Notre Dame Campus, Orange Lecture Theatre, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM

This free staff event is hosted by the Truth & Reconciliation team, light snacks and beverages will be provided. Doors will open at 1:00 PM to get refreshments before the screening.

To register, go to HRIS > My Portal > My Learning > Learning Library > More > search SUGARCANE.

If you have any barriers to participation in this session that require accessible accommodations, please contact orgdev@rrc.ca.

About SUGARCANE

In 2021, evidence of unmarked graves was discovered on the grounds of an Indian residential school run by the Catholic Church in Canada. After years of silence, the forced separation, assimilation and abuse many children experienced at these segregated boarding schools was brought to light, sparking a national outcry against a system designed to destroy Indigenous communities.

Set amidst a groundbreaking investigation, SUGARCANE illuminates the beauty of a community breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and finding the strength to persevere.

As this may be an emotional experience, an Elder will be in attendance to provide support as needed. It is recommended that you afford yourself space to reflect afterwards and if you need additional support, please access our Employee and Family Assistance Program.

The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis seeking immediate emotional support can contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.

Indigenous Diplomacy Forum – Global Affairs Canada

February 6, 2025

Register today!

The University of Manitoba, Red River College and Global Affairs Canada are delighted to elevate Indigenous voices in international relations for this gathering. Indigenous leaders have a deep diplomatic history and strong global networks. Through this event, students will engage with Indigenous diplomats, politicians and community leaders. This will be a unique opportunity to make lasting connections and learn from leaders committed to strengthening Indigenous relations and diplomatic approaches that are rooted in rich Indigenous history, teachings and cultures.

Join us at the Manitoba Indigenous Diplomacy Forum on Friday, March 14, 2025, and engage with Indigenous leaders today – become a leader tomorrow!

This gathering is all about starting a conversation on Indigenous diplomacy, how leaders have shaped it and how students can be part of its future. It’s a chance to explore global opportunities, connect with Indigenous diplomats, and see how they are driving reconciliation and representation. Whether it’s learning about international relations or finding a path to a career in diplomacy, this is an open door for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students. With a strong focus on Manitoba, we are building connections, creating opportunities, and making sure Indigenous voices are heard on the world stage.

The opening ceremonies will kick off at 10:30 AM, with a keynote address focusing on Indigenous Diplomacy – Past, Present, and Future. Following that, at 12:00 PM, there will be a networking lunch with Indigenous diplomats, leaders and politicians, and special guests. At 1:05 PM, the discussion will turn to The Role of Indigenous Youth in International Relations, highlighting the important contributions of young Indigenous voices. The first panel at 1:25 PM will explore Manitoba Indigenous Leadership in International Affairs, and the second panel at 2:50 PM will cover Global Affairs Canada – Indigenous Representation Abroad.

Register with Jessica Bloomfield, Senior Strategic Advisor, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development by email at jbloomfield@rrc.ca with Indigenous Diplomacy Forum – Student Registration as the subject line.

The Indigenous Diplomacy Forum – Global Affairs Canada

Date: Friday, March 14, 2025

Time: 10:30am – 3:40 pm

Location: Manitoba Legislative Building


Join us on Tuesday, January 28 for the Indigenous Career Fair

January 23, 2025

Join us at the Indigenous Career Fair on Tuesday, 12 PM – 3 PM, in the South Gym at Notre Dame Campus.

  • Panel Discussion (12 PM – 12:45 PM): Hear from industry leaders and get inspired.
  • Meet Employers: Connect with 30+ companies from diverse industries.
  • RBC Headshot Lounge: Get a free professional headshot for LinkedIn and beyond.

Don’t miss this opportunity to take the next step in your career! There will be a shuttle available from the Exchange District Campus to Notre Dame Campus outside of Manitou a bi Bii daziigae

Register here for a chance to win awesome prizes! Pick up your passport at the registration table when you check in and enter to win.

Thank you to RBC Future Launch for their generous support of the Indigenous Career Fair.

See below for a list of employers and available job postings.

Animikii Ozoson Child & Family Services

Animikii Ozoson Child & Family Services, founded in 2005, serves children and families with ties to Ontario First Nations living in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as well as others who choose the agency.

Visit Animikii Ozoson Child & Family Services for more information.

Anishinaabe Pimadiziwin Inc.

The Anishinaabe Pimadiziwin Inc. Agency delivers mandated services and programs in a manner which will maintain and strengthen the individual, the family and the First Nations community with the context of aboriginal values and customs.

Visit Anishinaabe Pimadiziwin Inc. for more information

Bison Transport

With a network throughout Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, Bison is a leading asset-based freight solutions provider that employs over 4,000 professional drivers and staff.

Visit Bison Transport for more information

Canada Life

Canada Life is a leading insurance, wealth management and benefits provider focused on improving the financial, physical, and mental well-being of Canadians.

Visit Canada Life for more information.

City of Winnipeg

The City of Winnipeg is a vibrant, growing city with many opportunities! The City of Winnipeg is an organization where you can build a career and make a difference to your community.

Visit City of Winnipeg for more information.

First Nation Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM)

The First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM) collaborates with 63 First Nations, 7 tribal councils, and 3 PTOs to promote awareness of health issues and enhance the well-being of individuals and communities.

Visit First Nation Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM) for more information.

First Nations Financial Management Board

The First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB), one of three institutions established by the FMA, supports First Nations in adopting strong governance and financial practices to achieve their objectives.

Visit First Nations Financial Management Board for more information.

Health Care Retention and Recruitment Office

The Manitoba government established the Health Care Retention and Recruitment Office to attract and retain skilled healthcare professionals from across Manitoba, Canada and internationally.  Our office works to connect you with meaningful career opportunities within Manitoba’s health system and provides support and resources to navigate a simplified, efficient hiring experience. Whether you’re seeking a new role, career growth, or a fresh start in a province known for its welcoming communities and high quality of life, we are here to help.

Visit Health Care Retention and Recruitment Office for more information.

IDFusion Software

IDFusion’s purpose stems from our founders’ proud Métis heritage. As an Indigenous organization our purpose is to be a tool for positive change for Indigenous peoples.

Visit IDFusion Software for more information.

Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc. 

We lead women, men, children, youth, and our two-Spirit community to health and balance through learning and healing programs grounded in traditional Indigenous knowledge and trauma-informed practices.

Visit Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc. for more information.

KPMG Canada

KPMG in Canada is a professional services firm with over 40 locations nationwide, employing more than 10,000 people. They offer a wide range of services, including Audit and Assurance, Tax, Advisory, Law, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) consulting.

Visit KPMG Canada for more information.

Manitoba Blue Cross

We are a homegrown, Manitoba-based health benefits provider with coverage that is among the best in the industry. With the added advantage of a national network, we provide the utmost care for our members living both locally and out of province.

Visit Manitoba Blue Cross for more information.

Manitoba First Nations Police Service

The members of the Manitoba First Nations Police Service proudly serve First Nation communities throughout Manitoba. In doing this, we are guided by our understanding that First Nations communities are unique, and their needs vary from community to community.

Visit Manitoba First Nations Police Service for more information.

Manitoba Hydro

Manitoba Hydro is a Crown corporation that provides electricity and natural gas services across the province of Manitoba. It is committed to delivering reliable and affordable energy, primarily generated through sustainable hydroelectric power.

Visit Manitoba Hydro for more information.

Manitobah

Manitobah is a brand deeply rooted in Indigenous culture, offering authentic, Indigenous-designed products. Committed to giving back, the company ensures its work supports and returns value to Indigenous communities.

Visit Manitobah for more information.

Métis Child, Family and Community Services

Métis Child, Family and Community Services will work to strengthen the capacity of families to care for children through culturally relevant community-based programs. 

Visit Métis Child, Family and Community Services for more information.

Métis Employment & Training – MMF

At MET, we take pride in offering a wide array of client and employer services tailored to meet the unique needs of Red River Métis Citizens, clients, and employers. Whether you’re in need of financial assistance, looking to strategize your career plan, seeking job assistance or are an employer keen on recruiting talented Red River Métis talent, we’ve got you covered!

Visit Métis Employment & Training – MMF for more information.

NETES – Neeginan Education, Training and Employment Services

(formerly CAHRD – Centre for Aboriginal Human Resources Development)

Neeginan Education, Training, and Employment Services is here to help Indigenous people in Winnipeg overcome unemployment and work toward self-sufficiency. We do this by offering education, training, job services, and support programs like counseling, daycare, and housing, along with anything else needed to support this mission.

Visit NETES – Neeginan Education, Training and Employment Services for more information.

RBC

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is one of the largest and most prominent financial institutions in Canada, offering a broad range of services. These include personal and business banking, wealth management, insurance, and corporate and investment banking, serving clients both locally and internationally.

Visit RBC for more information.

Red River College Polytechnic

RRC Polytech is Manitoba’s largest institute of applied learning and research, with more than 150 full- and part-time degree, diploma and certificate options. Through hands-on and online learning opportunities and state-of-the-art instruction, we prepare our students to become leaders in their fields — while also ensuring they can meet changing industry demands, and contribute to the province’s economic growth.

Visit Red River College Polytechnic for more information.

Richardson International

Richardson International, Canada’s leading agribusiness and worldwide handler of Canadian-grown grains and oilseeds, has grown and evolved over the years, expanding its business to bring quality crops to international markets. Today, it delivers food products and ingredients to kitchens around the world.

Visit Richardson International for more information.

Sagkeeng Child & Family Services

Sagkeeng Child and Family Services is one of 10 agencies in the Southern First Nations Network of Care providing provincially mandated services. We believe that children are our gifts and as a community, it is our responsibility to guarantee their physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs.

Visit Sagkeeng Child & Family Services for more information.

Shawenim Abinoojii Inc.

Shawenim Abinoojii provides community-based services to support the wellbeing of Indigenous children, youth, and families, with a focus on education, wellness, and cultural programs. Their initiatives include youth mentorship, family reunification, and fostering cultural connection to help youth thrive in their communities.

Visit Shawenim Abinoojii Inc. for more information.

Southeast Child & Family Services

Southeast Child and Family Services serves eight First Nations in the southeast region of Manitoba: Brokenhead Ojibway Nation; Black River First Nation; Hollow Water First Nation; Bloodvein First Nation; Berens River First Nation; Poplar River First Nation; Little Grand Rapids First Nation; and, Pauingassi First Nation.

Visit Southeast Child & Family Services for more information.

St. Amant Human Resource Services

St.Amant strives to support people with developmental disabilities to live meaningful lives as valued members of our community. We are committed to human rights and full community inclusion.

Visit St. Amant Human Resource Services for more information.

TD Bank

TD Canada Trust offers a range of personal banking services, including chequing and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and investments. They also provide specialized financial advice and tools to help individuals manage their money, plan for the future, and secure their financial well-being.

Visit TD Bank for more information.

The North West Company

The North West Company is a leading retailer to underserved rural communities and urban neighbourhood markets in the following regions: Northern Canada, Western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific islands and the Caribbean. Our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food.

Visit The North West Company for more information.

ThreeOsix Industrial Services Inc.

Threeosix is a Canadian construction and mining company offering tailored solutions in sectors like energy, infrastructure, and industrial projects. They specialize in construction, civil, structural steel, and mechanical works, ensuring efficient and successful project execution for their clients across Canada.

Visit Threeosix Industrial Services Inc. for more information.

Turning Leaf Support Services Inc.

We are a non-profit, charitable organization that provides person-centered, crisis and treatment services to low and high-risk vulnerable and marginalized individuals living with mental illness and intellectual challenge in our community.

Visit Turning Leaf Support Services Inc. for more information.

Vidir Solutions

Vidir Solutions specializes in automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), offering high-density solutions to optimize space for a wide range of materials like small parts, tires, and medical supplies. Their products, such as vertical carousels and lift modules, help businesses save floor space and improve efficiency by using vertical storage technology.

Visit Vidir Solutions for more information.

Winnipeg Police Service 

The Winnipeg Police Service offers a variety of recruitment opportunities for roles such as police constables, civilian positions, and emergency communications call takers. They provide detailed information about the hiring process, employee benefits, and opportunities for growth within the force.

Visit Winnipeg Police Service for more information.

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority – Indigenous Health

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Indigenous Health builds capacity within the Winnipeg health region to support the holistic needs of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people.

Visit Winnipeg Regional Health Authority – Indigenous Health for more information.

Wyndham Garden Hotel – Sparrow Hotels

Wyndham Garden Winnipeg Airport is a modern hotel located on the Long Plain First Nation Urban Reserve, offering convenient access to the Winnipeg airport and local attractions. With amenities like a heated pool, restaurant, and Indigenous market, it provides a welcoming space for both business and leisure travelers.

Visit Wyndham Garden Hotel – Sparrow Hotels for more information.

Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Week 2024

August 27, 2024

All students, staff and faculty are invited to participate in RRC Polytech’s sixth annual Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Week, September 23 to September 27. Every year, RRC Polytech hosts Truth and Reconciliation-focused programming for all members of the College community to gather, learn, and prepare to reflect on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, otherwise known as Orange Shirt Day, on September 30, 2024.

Through in-person events and self-guided learning offered by departments across the College, you’ll deepen your knowledge and understanding of Canada’s true history, Indigenous cultures, and spark conversations and take action in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation.

We look forward to fostering learning, healing and building stronger relationships.

Fill out this form to register for events. Please read descriptions – some events may have alternate registrations.

Please stay tuned to this page for session updates. Reminders for new events will be added to Staff/Student News.

If you have any questions, please email Terri-Lynn, Truth and Reconciliation Coordinator at tlanderson@rrc.ca.

Monday, September 23

Exchange District Campus

Fall Equinox Celebration
10:00 – 1:00 | The Roundhouse Auditorium (E240)

The Fall Equinox is one of the four transitory events that marks the changing of the seasons, along with the Winter and Summer Solstices and the Spring Equinox. The Fall Equinox is the moment in the Earth’s cycle when the Sun crosses the equator into the southern hemisphere. In the Fall, we harvest our crops and prepare for the long winter when the land is protected by a blanket of snow.

To acknowledge the changing of the season, we come together with Ceremony and a Feast. The morning will start with a Pipe Ceremony led by Elder-in-Residence Paul Guimond and Knowledge Keeper-in-Residence Richard Curé and will close out with a Feast.

No registration is required.

Elements of Indigenous Style at RRC Polytech
Robin Ringland
3:00 – 4:30 | P107

Elements of Indigenous Style by Gregory Younging, published in 2018, is the world’s first attempt to standardize writing about Indigenous topics within the context of English-written publications – it is an attempt to articulate Indigenous values and concepts in the English-speaking and -written world when Indigenous languages and ways of knowing the world have, historically, evolved outside the Western scope of understanding. Developing and integrating Indigenous style into contemporary publishing practices is one way we decolonize the way we talk about Indigenous Peoples and re-evaluate the ways in which we express meaning. In the spirit of journalism, we ask: how do we truthfully express truths when many truths are true at once?

Robin Ringland is a Two-Spirit Status Anishininew (Oji-Cree person) with familial roots in Garden Hill First Nation, Treaty 5 territory. She is a Communications Officer with College and Public Relations at RRC Polytech and has been in her role for two years since graduating Creative Communications. Robin is currently working on an internal style guide for RRC Polytech to ensure that written work the College produces can authentically involve Indigenous perspectives, storytelling, and Oral Tradition.

Notre Dame Campus

Living Library
11:00 – 12:30 | Library

You will hear from Indigenous storytellers what the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action mean to them and how they incorporate Indigenous teachings and principles into the workplace. The Living Library format is interactive by nature, involving small-group discussions between a storyteller and participants in a safe and supportive environment. Groups of 5-6 participants will spend 15 minutes with a speaker, rotating through different storytellers.

Storytellers include Jamie Wilson, Michael Lachance, Jessica Bloomfield, Corey Whitford, and Rebecca LaRiviere.

Register here.

Cedar Bath Teachings
Ivana Yellowback
11:30 – 12:30 | A137

Ivana Yellowback is a member of Manto Sipi Cree Nation (Treaty 5) and a relative to Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Treaty 6 ), and was born and raised in the inner-city of Winnipeg, Manitoba (located in Treaty 1).  

Ivana is an Associate Producer, Writer, Cree host, and English co-host of Eagle Vision’s 7th GEN. She also acted as principal characters in both DJ Burnt Bannock and Little Bird, all of which are available to watch on APTN Lumi. Ivana is also a co-creator, host, writer, and executive producer of the Indigenous supernatural podcast show: Creepee Tepee.  

Ivana completed a 4-year Bachelor of Arts degree with an Honours in Sociology at the University of Winnipeg, and a Bachelor of Social Work degree at the University of Manitoba. She is currently working on her Masters of Social Work degree at the University of Manitoba.  

Along with her film work, and academics, Ivana is an Executive Training Facilitator with Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc., an Executive Board Member of Sākihiwē Festival, a Registered Social Worker with the Manitoba College of Social Workers, and an Action Therapist. She is also a co-creator of the venture: miteh atôskê (heart work), which provides various trainings, workshops, and healing programming through individual and group counselling through a two-eyed seeing, and Indigenous-based lens. Lastly, Ivana is a traditional hand-drum and rattle singer of the family group: Kind Hart Women Singers.

Métis History & Culture
Shirley Delorme-Russell
12:00 – 1:00 | The Indigenous Support Centre (F209)

Join Shirley for a brief history of the Red River Métis. This will include the birth of the Métis Nation, important periods in history, and foundational cultural knowledge – like the Red River Jig!

Shirley Delorme-Russell (Aboriginal Languages 2007) is a proud Métis woman and humble Anisinaabkwe currently at the University of Manitoba as an Indigenous Librarian Intern and is earning her Master’s of Library & Information Studies from the University of Alberta.

At RRC Polytech, she was on the R-Crew and the Student Association. Trained as teacher and living life as history nerd, Shirley was the Instructor of Métis Culture & Education at the Louis Riel Institute and a teacher in Winnipeg School Division.

Jordan’s Principle and Spirit Bear
Brenda Still
2:00 – 3:00 | The Indigenous Support Centre (F209)

Learn about the origin of Jordan’s Principle and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #3:

We call upon all levels of government to fully implement Jordan’s Principle.

All levels of government must implement Jordan’s Principle, a policy which is used to resolve jurisdictional disputes within governments over the required funds for government services provided to Aboriginal children.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

In this session, you will learn how to engage with the 94 Calls to Action through the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society resources. The session will explore the discrepancy of funding for First Nations children living on reserve dating back to Residential Schools and the important role Canadian children have in reducing disparity in social funding for children in Canada.

You will be invited to make a heart marker to for the gardens at RRC Polytech for Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams.

Land Acknowledgement Workshop
Marilyn Dykstra
4:30 – 5:30 | The Indigenous Support Centre (F209)

You will learn how to facilitate a session with your students on how to write a personal reconciliatory land acknowledgment. You will focus on areas where they have lived, worked, and played and learn about the Indigenous communities and treaties within those areas.  Once you have done that, you will choose an Indigenous nation to focus on from one of the territories you have resided within to learn about. Investigate what a community is asking for on their reconciliatory path and how to integrate Indigenous perspectives into the ways in which you acknowledge the land and the people that are part of it.

Tuesday, September 24

Re-Search, Storytelling, & Humanizing How We Come to Know
Dr. Kathy Absolon
1:00 – 2:30 | Virtual

Dr. Kathy Absolon is the Director of the Centre for Indigegogy at Wilfred Laurier University. She has a PhD from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. The Centre for Indigegogy offers programming for Indigenous Educators’ Certificate in Indigegogy and Decolonizing Certificate for educators. The Centre for Indigegogy offers experiences for learning steeped in Ceremony, Circle Work and Medicines. 

Click here to add the meeting to your calendar.

Exchange District Campus

Living Library
12:00 – 1:30 | Library

You will hear from Indigenous storytellers what the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action mean to them and how they incorporate Indigenous teachings and principles into the workplace. The Living Library format is interactive by nature, involving small-group discussions between a storyteller and participants in a safe and supportive environment. Groups of 5-6 participants will spend 15 minutes with a speaker, rotating through different storytellers.

Storytellers include Jamie Wilson, Jessica Bloomfield, Zach Unrau, Brittany Ross, and Sharon Bear.

Register here.

A look at the National Inquiry into the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (and Two Spirit people)
Dr. Karine Duhamel
12:00 – 1:00 | The Roundhouse Auditorium (E240)

Dr. Karine Duhamel (she/her) is an Anishinaabe historian and a Status member of Opwaaganasiniing (Red Rock Indian Band) in northwestern Ontario. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education, a Master’s degree and PhD in History.

She served as Director of Research for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) from 2018 to the end of its mandate in 2019. In 2021, she was awarded the Bruce and Lis Welch Community Dialogue Award through the Simon J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University for her work with the Inquiry. In 2022, she joined the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada as Director of Indigenous Strategy, working to implement the three federal research funding agencies’ strategic plan to better support Indigenous research and research training in Canada.

In addition to her role as a public servant, she is an official Speaker for the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba, an Indigenous fellow at Simon Fraser University, and a Research Affiliate of the Centre for Human Rights Research at the University of Manitoba.

The Matriarch Circle
2:00 – 4:00 | The Roundhouse Auditorium (E240)

These sessions will provide experiences specifically for instructors to learn how they can incorporate circle work and Indigenous ways of teaching and learning into their learning activities/instructional practice.

Kisa MacIsaac is proud to be Metis – her family on her maternal side is from the community Lac Ste Anne, Alberta – Treaty 6 – and her roots trace back to Red River Settlements in both St. Francois Xavier and St. Boniface. She also has Scottish/European ancestry and honours all her grandparents. Kisa is a mother, educator, and artist with 20 years working with children and families in community; she is now proud to teach Early Childhood Education here at Red River College Polytechnic, sharing her love for land-based curriculum and arts education.

Rebecca LaRiviere is a member of the Métis Nation with family ties to St. Norbert and St Rose du Lac, and now resides in St. Boniface on Treaty 1 territory. She has spent her career learning from and working with Indigenous caregivers on and off-reserve across Turtle Island by providing training and professional development, promoting collaboration and peer mentorship, and advocating for the strengths that already exist in community. Rebecca seeks to bridge Indigenous worldview and traditional childrearing practices with contemporary child development research.

Innovating with Sweetgrass: A Two-Eyed Seeing Approach
Branden Wyryha
2:00 – 3:00 | P107

Gain an understanding of the Two-Eyed Seeing Approach and its application in harmonizing Indigenous knowledge and Western scientific methods in the context of cuisine. In this session, you will explore the development and potential applications of sweetgrass extract and develop insights into integrating traditional Indigenous Medicines respectfully and innovatively in contemporary frameworks. You’ll engage in a reflective discussion about the Two-Eyed Seeing Approach to foster a deeper understanding of its role in reconciliation and innovation.

Branden Wyryha is the Acting Research Coordinator at the Prairie Research Kitchen (PRK). He graduated from RRC Polytech’s Chemical and Bioscience Technology Co-op program (Science Laboratory Technology) in 2014 and later earned a B.Sc. in Bioanthropology from the University of Winnipeg. Branden values the collaborative environment at PRK, where he contributes to applied research projects aimed at developing innovative solutions to industry challenges. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring the province on hikes with his two dogs.

Notre Dame Campus

A Collaborative Approach to Decolonizing the Collective Agreement
Nora Sobel
11:00 – 12:00 | The Immersion Room

By the end of this session, you will be able to identify key concepts in our current collective agreement that need decolonization work, explain the process of a collaborative approach for decolonization discussion and implementation, and apply this collaborative approach to decolonization work in other areas of the organization.

The session will provide a guided reflection with questions so you can apply the session information to your own academic or administrative environment.

A Two-Eyed Seeing Approach to Assessments & Evaluations
Joanna White
12:00 – 1:00 | The Indigenous Support Centre (F209)

In this session, you will learn how to approach assessments and evaluations using Two-Eyed Seeing, which is a way of perceiving things from both Indigenous and Eurowestern ways of teaching and learning.

Joanna White is the Indigenous Educational Developer in the Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Department. She approaches her work by creating holistic and relational experiences for staff, faculty, and students to engage in to learn about Truth and Reconciliation and what this means for their professional practice or studies. 

Education – National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Sandra Bender
2:00 – 4:00 | The Indigenous Support Centre (F209)

Sandra Bender (she/her) is a lifelong human rights advocate and brings her passion for public education to her work. As a second generation Canadian of grandparents who came to this land as adult immigrants and refugees, she is a staunch Indigenous ally and strives to use her position of privilege to further understanding and reconciliation through outreach and education.

Sandra is a proud member of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, feminist, and neurodivergent, and believes in bringing an intersectional lens to every aspect of her life. Past work has included Indigenous land claims advocacy, work with the unhoused communities in Winnipeg and Atlanta, work with newly-arrived refugees, and advocacy with the local 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. Sandra holds several undergrad degrees and a Master’s, is an ex-opera singer, fitness & hiking enthusiast, and runs the music program at a church in downtown Winnipeg.

Wednesday, September 25

Exchange District Campus

Wilfred Buck (2024) documentary screening
1:00 – 4:00 | The Roundhouse Auditorium (E240)

He’s from the “fresh-out-of-the-bush, partly civilized, colonized, displaced people,” and he’s here to take us to the stars. Lisa Jackson’s portrait of Cree Elder Wilfred Buck moves between earth and sky, past and present, bringing to life ancient teachings of Indigenous astronomy and cosmology to tell a story that spans generations. Adapted from Buck’s rollicking memoir I Have Lived Four Lives, the film weaves together stories from his life, including his harrowing young years of displacement and addiction. Seamlessly fusing present-day scenes with cinematic re-enactments and archival footage, this intimate yet expansive documentary takes us on an inspiring journey to the space beyond, and to the spaces between us all.

The National Film Board of Canada

Join us for a screening of Wilfred Buck’s biographical documentary to learn more about his work and journey into Indigenous astronomy.

Notre Dame Campus

A Holistic Approach to Classroom Instruction and Learning Activities
Melinda Walden & Joanna White
11:00 – 1:00 | The Selkirk Lounge

In this session, you will have the opportunity to experience a holistic approach to both learning activities and classroom instruction. 

Melinda Walden is an instructor in the Early Childhood Education Workplace Program. She has been incorporating a holistic approach to instruction and is committed to Reconciliation by honouring, valuing and respecting Indigenous ways of teaching and learning.

Joanna White is the Indigenous Educational Developer in the Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Department. She approaches her work by creating holistic and relational experiences for staff, faculty, and students to engage in to learn about Truth and Reconciliation and what this means for their professional practice or studies. 

Wiiji’idiwag Ikwewag – Indigenous Birth Helpers: Restoring Birthing Practices and Knowledges 
Misty Bear & Lorraine McLeod
11:00 – 12:00 | A137

Wiiji’idiwag Ikwewag provides culturally rooted teachings and practices that build confidence and promote the restoration of traditional birth practices, sacred family bonds and healthy relationships. We recognize that each family situation is unique, our customized approach respects the diversity of families and honours their personal values and beliefs.

Archives – National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Karen Ashbury & Lynn Jones
11:30 – 12:30 | The Indigenous Support Centre (F209)

Karen Ashbury is a Reference and Access Archivist at the NCTR. She manages and coordinates reference requests made to NCTR Archives, including requests made by Residential School Survivors and their families. Originally from Fort Frances, Ontario, Karen completed her Bachelor of Arts in History and Sociology at Queen’s University. Her prior experience includes working as a collections manager for a small community museum and archives and with the National Museum of Bermuda. Prior to joining the NCTR, Karen worked as an archivist at the NWT Archives in Yellowknife, where she conducted research and was responsible for the coordination of reference requests made by residential school Survivors that attended residential schools in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Lynn Jones is an Inininiw (Cree) woman whose family comes from the First Nation of Manto Sakahikan (God’s Lake Narrows). She was born in Arborg, MB. and is the youngest sibling from a family of eight. She has worked in Manitoba Justice for the past 17 years in both the capacity of an Aboriginal Court Worker and most recently with Victim Services. Lynn will be graduating with her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Manitoba.

Thursday, September 26

Exchange District Campus

Red Dress Pin-Making Workshop
12:00 – 1:00 | P407 (Indigenous Support Centre)

Gerri-Lee Pangman (McPherson) is a member of Peguis First Nation, born and raised in the heart of Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is a wife, mother to two sons and two daughters and Kohkum to one grandson. 

On April 29, 2013, her sister Jennifer Dawn McPherson was murdered in Hanson Island, B.C. and her Aunt Jennifer Johnston was murdered in Winnipeg in 1980.

Gerri participates in community activities and programs, including facilitating weekly beading circles with other MMIWG2S families through Medicine Bear Counselling. She also facilitates beading circles in schools, universities, colleges, and community centers, and has traveled across Canada with the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls to do Healing through beading sessions with MMIWG2S family members and staff of the Inquiry. 

Gerri has turned to and introduced her family to traditional Teachings and Ceremonies such as Sundance to aid in her healing journey and to break the cycle of colonization. Her vision is to continue raising awareness and holding institutions accountable in preventing more Indigenous women and girls from going missing or being murdered. She welcomes all to join her in her vision and encourages others to come back home to our traditional Ceremonies and ways of life.

About J.D.M. Indigenous Designs and Jennifer Dawn McPherson

Jennifer was well-known for her craftiness and creative ideas, so in 2013, Gerri and her older sister Kim created J.D.M. Indigenous Designs to honour Jennifer and keep her memory alive. They carry on her inspiration by creating beaded earrings, dreamcatcher ornaments during the Christmas holidays, stained glass, and red dress pins.

J.D.M. Indigenous Designs promotes awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People (MMIWG2S). They use art as a medium to express their spirit during their journey of healing while grieving the loss of their sister, auntie and other MMIWG2S in the community. On April 29, 2021, the 8th year anniversary of Jennifer’s death, they presented their first bursary to help four students from Ka Ni Kanichihk with $250 each.

Email Sara McIvor-Prouty at smcivor@rrc.ca to register.

Immersive Stories
2:00 – 3:00 | P107

The Immersive Stories Program is designed to give students, faculty, and staff a first-hand opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding about multi-layered socio-cultural identities and lived experiences. As outlined in our new Strategic Plan, this program is part of the College’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, and the pursuit of equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do.

Participants will develop skills that will allow them to regularly check their personal, social, and cultural assumptions so that they can avoid making quick conclusions and judgments. This in turn will help to foster a diverse and inclusive College environment for students and faculty.

Each session in the Immersive Stories Program will involve a discussion with a member of our RRC Polytech community, during which they will share their unique lived experiences, and invite participant questions and dialogue. These conversations will provide participants an opportunity to gain insights into the lived experiences of our diverse community and will assist in becoming aware of our own biases.

Clint Ducharme will talk about certain aspects of his life from childhood to the present time, gaining a deeper understanding of his Métis heritage and seeking ways to share it in his family and with others. He will likely touch on themes of sustainability, land and nature stewardship, language, stereotypes and racism, and food as medicine.

Métis Beading Workshop
Jennine Krauchi
4:30 – 7:30 | The Skyfold Classrooms (E235, E236, and E237)

Jennine Krauchi is a Métis beadwork artist and designer who creates clothing and does replica work for many organizations such as the Manitoba Museum, Parks Canada, the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, as well as for other institutions in Scotland, France, and the United States.

Jennine teaches beadwork, quillwork, moccasin/mukluk making in schools and at festivals in Canada and Europe.

Beading kits will be provided.

Notre Dame Campus

Acak Wuskwun, Spirit Cloud – Indigenous Star Lore Planetarium Experience
Wilfred Buck
9:00 – 4:30 (1-hour sessions delivered every hour) | The South Gym

While researching Inninew star stories, Wilfred found a host of information which had to be interpreted and analyzed to identify if the stories were referring to the stars. Explore the cosmos and the history of the world through the stars in the night sky through the Indigenous star lore planetarium experience, Acak Wuskwun – or Spirit Cloud in Inninimowin.

Wilfred Buck is a member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. He obtained his B.Ed. & Post Bacc. from the University of Manitoba. As an educator, Wilfred has had the opportunity and good fortune to travel to South America, Central America, and Europe where he met, shared with, and listened to Indigenous Peoples from all over the world.

The Matriarch Circle
11:00 – 1:00 | The Selkirk Lounge

These sessions will provide experiences specifically for instructors to learn how they can incorporate circle work and Indigenous ways of teaching and learning into their learning activities/instructional practice.

Kisa MacIsaac is proud to be Metis – her family on her maternal side is from the community Lac Ste Anne, Alberta – Treaty 6 – and her roots trace back to Red River Settlements in both St. Francois Xavier and St. Boniface. She also has Scottish/European ancestry and honours all her grandparents. Kisa is a mother, educator, and artist with 20 years working with children and families in community; she is now proud to teach Early Childhood Education here at Red River College Polytechnic, sharing her love for land-based curriculum and arts education.

Rebecca LaRiviere is a member of the Métis Nation with family ties to St. Norbert and St Rose du Lac, and now resides in St. Boniface on Treaty 1 territory. She has spent her career learning from and working with Indigenous caregivers on and off-reserve across Turtle Island by providing training and professional development, promoting collaboration and peer mentorship, and advocating for the strengths that already exist in community. Rebecca seeks to bridge Indigenous worldview and traditional childrearing practices with contemporary child development research.

Culture and History Presentation – Manitoba Inuit Association
Gayle Gruben
12:00 – 1:00 | F209 (Indigenous Support Centre)

Gayle Grubin has been an artisan for 33 years creating traditional Inuit garments with furs and hides. She is Inuvialuk and from Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the western Arctic. Gayle is proud to share her Inuvialuit culture and traditions with anyone willing to learn.

Two Spirit Drag Show
The Bannock Babes
5:00 – 7:30 | The Cave

The Bannock Babes are a collective of Indigenous drag artists based in Winnipeg. They blossomed in the spotlight in March 2019 and have since performed for the No Stone Unturned concert, Read by Queens at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and a mural unveiling by artist Peatr Thomas in St. Boniface. The Bannock Babes regularly raise funds for local charities, including the 2 Spirit Pow Wow. You may not see them making bannock, but these babes from three different provinces are hard to forget.

Friday, September 27

17 Sustainable Development Goals, 94 Calls to Action
Ginger Arnold & Stephanie Fulford
12:00 – 1:00 | Virtual

Join Ginger Arnold, Instructor in the School of Indigenous Education, and Stephanie Fulford, Sustainability Specialist for an online, 45-minute discussion on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Learn how the SDGs support Truth and Reconciliation, the College’s commitment to advancing the SDGs, and how Ginger has used the SDGs as a learning tool in the classroom. 

Notre Dame Campus

Red Dress Pin-Making Workshop
12:00 – 1:00 | F209 (Indigenous Support Centre)

Gerri-Lee Pangman (McPherson) is a member of Peguis First Nation, born and raised in the heart of Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is a wife, mother to two sons and two daughters and Kohkum to one grandson. 

On April 29, 2013, her sister Jennifer Dawn McPherson was murdered in Hanson Island, B.C. and her Aunt Jennifer Johnston was murdered in Winnipeg in 1980.

Gerri participates in community activities and programs, including facilitating weekly beading circles with other MMIWG2S families through Medicine Bear Counselling. She also facilitates beading circles in schools, universities, colleges, and community centers, and has traveled across Canada with the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls to do Healing through beading sessions with MMIWG2S family members and staff of the Inquiry. 

Gerri has turned to and introduced her family to traditional Teachings and Ceremonies such as Sundance to aid in her healing journey and to break the cycle of colonization. Her vision is to continue raising awareness and holding institutions accountable in preventing more Indigenous women and girls from going missing or being murdered. She welcomes all to join her in her vision and encourages others to come back home to our traditional Ceremonies and ways of life.

About J.D.M. Indigenous Designs and Jennifer Dawn McPherson

Jennifer was well-known for her craftiness and creative ideas, so in 2013, Gerri and her older sister Kim created J.D.M. Indigenous Designs to honour Jennifer and keep her memory alive. They carry on her inspiration by creating beaded earrings, dreamcatcher ornaments during the Christmas holidays, stained glass, and red dress pins.

J.D.M. Indigenous Designs promotes awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People (MMIWG2S). They use art as a medium to express their spirit during their journey of healing while grieving the loss of their sister, auntie and other MMIWG2S in the community. On April 29, 2021, the 8th year anniversary of Jennifer’s death, they presented their first bursary to help four students from Ka Ni Kanichihk with $250 each.

Email Sara McIvor-Prouty at smcivor@rrc.ca to register.

Student Sweat Lodge
10:00 – 3:00 | The Medicine Wheel Garden

Students are invited to participate in a Sweat Lodge Ceremony hosted by Elder-in-Residence, Paul Guimond. Indigenous and non-Indigenous students will have the opportunity to connect spiritually through a Ceremonial Sweat Lodge, followed by a Feast. Please meet in F209 for 9:30am and walk together to the Medicine Wheel Garden to start preparing the site at 10am.

To register, please send an email to Sharon-Rose Bear at sbear40@rrc.ca with the following information: 

  • Name 
  • Student number 
  • Any dietary restrictions for the Feast 
Manitoba Metis Federation Mobile Office
11:00 – 3:00 | West Lot 4 – corner of Lorimer Ln. & Buhr Blvd.

Visit the Manitoba Metis Federation in their mobile office on September 27, 2024, to apply for or renew your Red River Métis Citizenship card, Harvester card, and more.

Contact citizenship@mmf.mb.ca for more information. No registration required.

Active Learning Builds Community for All
Peter Newbury & Jo-Anne Spencer
12:00 – 1:00 | FM28 + Virtual

Learn to analyze how familiar active learning strategies provide students with opportunities to practice new knowledge and skills and get feedback; list students’ knowledge, skills, and experiences that, if shared, would enhance the learning of other students and the instructor; and reshape familiar active learning strategies so that each student learns from the community and the community learns from each student

The Active Learning Community of Practice meets monthly to discuss challenges and opportunities of active learning. Since the September meeting occurs during Truth and Reconciliation Week, we will discuss ways in which active learning supports Indigenous ways of knowing and learning.

Add the meeting to your calendar.

Immersive Stories
12:00 – 1:00 | The Selkirk Lounge

The Immersive Stories Program is designed to give students, faculty, and staff a first-hand opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding about multi-layered socio-cultural identities and lived experiences. As outlined in our new Strategic Plan, this program is part of the College’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, and the pursuit of equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do.

Participants will develop skills that will allow them to regularly check their personal, social, and cultural assumptions so that they can avoid making quick conclusions and judgments. This in turn will help to foster a diverse and inclusive College environment for students and faculty.

Each session in the Immersive Stories Program will involve a discussion with a member of our RRC Polytech community, during which they will share their unique lived experiences, and invite participant questions and dialogue. These conversations will provide participants an opportunity to gain insights into the lived experiences of our diverse community and will assist in becoming aware of our own biases.

Haley Pratt will be this session’s storyteller and she will discuss topics like the Indigenous experience in the workplace, supporting Indigenous students at college, discrimination, being an ally, and being proud of your identify.

Moose Hide Campaign Day – May 16

May 16, 2024

This year, people from all walks of life are invited to participate in the Moose Hide Campaign Day on May 16, in-person in Victoria, B.C. or virtually from anywhere. The Moose Hide Campaign has scheduled a sunrise ceremony livestream, a general plenary livestream, multiple live virtual workshops, a livestream of the Walk to End Violence Against Women and Children in Victoria, B.C., and a fast-breaking ceremony livestream. Participants can register here.

MediaEdge Publishing is hosting a walk to end gender-based violence as part of the Moose Hide Campaign today to join in solidarity with similar walks organized all over the country. The walk in Winnipeg will start at the Human Rights Museum at 12pm and end at Louis Riel’s gravesite in St. Boniface.

Staff and students can pick up moose hide pins from either Indigenous Support Centre (F209 at NDC and P407 at EDC) to wear to show support of the campaign and as symbol of their promise to not perpetuate violence against women and children.

International Inuit Day 2023

November 7, 2023

In 2006, the Inuit Circumpolar Council established November 7 as International Inuit Day. More than 70,000 Inuit people live in Canada, with 69 percent living within Inuit Nunangat, northern Canada, composed of four distinct regions, Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, Nunavut and Inuvialuit.

On International Inuit Day, we invite you to celebrate the diversity of Inuit cultures and communities, and honour Inuit voices through listening and learning. Below are a few resources to support your learning:

Manitoba is home to the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq, which has one of the world’s largest collections of contemporary Inuit art, bringing close to 5,000 stone carvings to light in its visible vault. Explore the stunning collection of Inuit art in the heart of downtown Winnipeg – the first floor (includes the visible vault) is always FREE to visit. This Sunday, November 12 is free admission from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at WAG-Qaumajuq, so check out more exhibitions, including Inuit Sanaugangit: Art Across Time.

International Inuit Day is also a time to recognize how the way of life continues to change for Inuit peoples as the landscape literally and figuratively transforms. Read A balancing act between the two worlds: What it means to be Inuit, via Nunavut News.

Last year, RRC Polytech celebrated National Inuit Day with students, staff, faculty, and members of the Manitoba Inuit Association. College Transition students shared about their culture and life in Rankin Inlet with the College community. Read the full story here.

Save the Date: Truth and Reconciliation Week 2023

September 5, 2023

All students, staff and faculty are invited to participate in RRC Polytech’s fifth annual Truth and Reconciliation Week, September 25 to October 6 2023.

Through in-person events and self-guided learning offered by departments across the College, you’ll deepen your knowledge and understanding of Canada’s true history, Indigenous cultures, and spark conversations and take action towards Truth and Reconciliation.

This year’s event has been expanded to two weeks to enhance the opportunities for the College community to participate and includes sessions featuring special guests.

We look forward to fostering learning, healing and building stronger relationships.

Upcoming Truth and Reconciliation Week Events:

Fall Equinox Celebration

Join the Fall Equinox celebration Monday, September 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., in the Roundhouse Auditorium at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae. The celebration will feature a Pipe Ceremony, Sharing Circle and Feast. Learn more here.

Blanket Exercise

The Blanket Exercise will be offered for staff and faculty on Thursday, September 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Roundhouse Auditorium at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae. The experience simulates the history of Indigenous people in Canada and the effects of colonization through facilitated interactive activities.

Space is limited to 30 participants. To learn more and sign up, click here.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters

September 30 is Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters, a time to recognize and honour Residential School Survivors, remember those who never made it home, and work towards healing and continuing our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.

You are encouraged to wear your Orange Shirt on campus on Friday, September 29, and take some time to learn and reflect about Canada’s history of the Residential School System and its intergenerational impact.

This year, orange t-shirts featuring the art of RRC Polytech Graphic Design grad Leticia Spence, and produced by Red Rebel Armour, an Indigenous streetwear outlet owned and operated by RRC Polytech grad Sean Rayland-Boubar, are available through the Campus Store. All proceeds go to the College’s Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award, which aims to alleviate financial burden for Indigenous students. Learn more about the orange shirt design here.

Stay tuned to Staff and Student News and subscribe to the Indigenous blog here for more information and the full schedule of events.

Indigenous Student-Led Tours

April 17, 2023

Are you curious about RRC Polytech? An exciting opportunity is coming up soon – register for a campus tour and get first-hand knowledge from current Indigenous students as they guide you around campus and answer your questions.

Tours will take place at the times and locations below:

Registering for your tour is easy!

  1. Click on the link above for the tour you’d like to attend
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Register
  3. Click Create Account and fill in your information
  4. Finalize your registration

RRC Polytech’s 2022 Graduation Pow Wow

INDIGENOUS SERVICES AND SUPPORTS AT RRC POLYTECH

There are many services and supports that Indigenous students can access to make the most of their time at the College:

Indigenous Student Support Centres

  • Provides a welcoming home away from home where students can smudge, participate in events, cultural teachings and ceremonies, or spend time with friends. The student support centres include a computer lab, kitchen, phone, study area and lounge.

Elders and Knowledge Keepers

  • Our Elders-in-Residence are here to support education through Indigenous ways of teaching, learning and leading. They play an important role in student and staff health, wellness, and cultural and spiritual development.

Indigenous Liaison Advisor

  • The Indigenous Liaison Advisor is the first point of contact for new and returning students of First Nation, Métis and Inuit ancestry. The advisor can help with questions related to programs, support and guidance through the application process, and admission requirements.

Academic Liaison and Resource Coaches

  • The Academic Liaisons and Resource Coaches offer tutoring and coaching – both one-on-one and in groups. They can help students with learning needs, as well as study skills, goal setting, and time management, so that students can move forward in their courses with confidence.

Navigation Coaches

  • The Navigation Coaches are the first point of contact for current Indigenous students and can help with everything from finding your way around campus, problem-solving, sharing important resources and information, understanding College processes, as well as connecting to other support team members as well as accessing community services such as childcare.

Counselling Services

  • Counselling Services are available to help students work through personal struggles, develop skills to manage better, and enjoy their College experience.

Student Employment Services

  • Student Employment Services provides personalized support and direction to students and recent graduates seeking summer, part-time, full-time and temporary employment. From job search strategies, cover letter and resume writing, interview preparation, employment application forms, informational interviews and current labour market information, a variety of assistance is available. We also work to build relationships with employers to ensure Indigenous students have employment connections and have a voice at the hiring table.

R-Crew

  • The R-Crew is made up of student volunteers that take on various roles aimed at easing new students into college life. They are a great resource and super role models who want to make students feel welcome, while creating a support system to ensure your success. Students helping students!

There are many opportunities to assist you financially in your education, and as an Indigenous student, there are specific opportunities just waiting for you to apply. From student aid to awards and bursaries, reach out to the Administrative and Financial Officer for help navigating these processes and learn about what may be available.

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.