Indigenous Education

Events

A Métis Moment: History of Louis Riel and Manitoba

January 20, 2022

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | 12-1 pm

Shirley Delorme Russell from the Louis Riel Institute joins us for a lunch hour session to share the history of Métis peoples in Manitoba in advance of Louis Riel Day (February 21) to support our collective truth and reconciliation journey.

Learn about Louis Riel and why we have a provincial holiday named for him!

Find out why the creation of the province of Manitoba (where Louis Riel was the President) led to the Supreme Court Land Claims Case of 2013.

Understand all the resources that are available to Métis citizens (including RRC Polytech students!)

Shirley Delorme Russell

Shirley Delorme Russell (Class of 2007 Aboriginal Languages) is a proud Métis woman from the heart of the Métis nation by her momma as a Delorme. She is a humble Anisinaabekwe from her father from the land of the Sleeping Giant by her dad as a Russell.

A history nerd at heart, Shirley loves to instill pride and excitement as she shares Métis history with others.

Trained at RRC Polytech in Aboriginal Languages as part of her Bachelor of Education (University of Winnipeg 2010), Shirley is currently the Instructor of Métis History and Culture at the Louis Riel Institute, the educational affiliate of the Métis national government- the Manitoba Métis Federation.

Virtual Bingo Night

January 12, 2022

Wednesday, January 26, 2022 | 7pm- 8:30pm

Indigenous Student Supports invites you to a family fun night with online bingo! Feel free to join with your family, friends and classmates.

We will do four rounds of full cards for each direction (North, South, East, West) and there are prizes to be won! The event will be hosted via Microsoft Teams. Everything for this event is online – no dabbers required.

Conversations with Authors: A Truth and Reconciliation Series

January 4, 2022

Live conversation with Bomgiizhik (Isaac Murdoch), author of The Trail of Nenaboozhoo

MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 12:00-1:00 PM

Conversations with Authors is a new series hosted by Indigenous Education and Library and Academic Services to further the conversation and our understanding of truth and reconciliation. We have selected some of the best of Canadian Indigenous writing, and lined up live conversations with the authors of these books. Everyone is welcome to attend the live sessions, which will also be recorded and posted on this site at a later date.

“Nanaboozhoo, the creator spirit-being of Ojibway legend, gave the people many gifts. This collection of oral stories presents legends of Nanaboozhoo along with other creation stories that tell of the adventures of numerous beloved animal spirits. The Trail of Nanaboozhoo is a book of art and storytelling that preserves the legends of the Anishinaabe people. Each story is accompanied by strikingly beautiful illustrations by revered Indigenous artists Isaac Murdoch and Christi Belcourt.” (Published by Kegedonce Press, 2020)

Winter Solstice 2021

November 24, 2021

Save the Date for virtual Winter Solstice! Gather ‘round the fire and join us for tales, teachings and story-telling from Elder Paul Guimond and special guests Franco-Manitoban Métis storyteller Rob Malo and the Bighetty & Bighetty Puppet Show, Cree brothers from Pukatawagan, MB.

As we get ready for the longest night of the year and the season of rest, gatherings for the Winter Solstice bring comfort, warmth, and people together to share stories and laughter. In many Indigenous cultures, winter represents an ancestral spirit, so reflecting on the past by sharing stories and thanking our ancestors is an important part of honouring where we’re from, especially as we plan for the cold months ahead.

This family friendly event will be streamed live on the Indigenous Education Facebook page – no need to register, just watch!

Schedule

Elder Paul Guimond

Elder Paul, Okonace (Little Eagle Bone), RRC Polytech Elder-in-Residence will begin our event with a teaching and Honour Song for this time of year.

Rob Malo

Rob Malo, also known as TiBert le Voyageur is a Franco-Manitoban Métis storyteller, author, stage performer, juggler, poet, and community builder who shares his passion for history and culture with people of all ages. He is recognized by Storytellers of Canada as being a Master Storyteller and has been the Storyteller in Residence at the University of Manitoba. Rob draws on his background as an Educational Programs Developer at the Manitoba Museum and as a Professor in the Tourism Department of l’Université de St. Boniface to delight audiences through storytelling, juggling and music. Rob has been awarded Certificates of Excellence from Interpretation Canada for both TiBert le Voyageur live presentations and digital educational tools available to teachers through the Province of Manitoba DREF website.

Bighetty & Bighetty Puppet Show

Brothers Kelsey, Andrew, Daniel and Ken Bighetty from Pukatawagan, MB, inspired by The Muppets and Fraggle Rock in their youth, have created hilarious and spontaneous characters that spread laughter across the prairies with a growing online audience. Known for their interactions with Elders and children alike, these brothers use their Cree language and culture to bring representation through humour.

Indigenous Supports Virtual Event: Live Painting with Gayle Sinclaire

November 17, 2021

Blended: In-Person & Virtual
Wednesday, December 1 – 6:30 pm
Virtual: via WebEx Events
In-Person: Limited Capacity, Indigenous Support Centre, Notre Dame Campus (F209)

Join us virtually with your family, friends, and loved ones to paint along with Gayle Sinclaire. Gayle shares a deeply spiritual experience, often sharing her traditional teachings through her demonstrations.

From Norway House Cree Nation, artist Gayle Sinclaire has pursued the use of colour through oils and acrylics on canvas and paper for the last 37 years. As a fine Arts student at the University of Manitoba Gayle began her formal inquiry into the concepts of colour and composition, the effects of light and how content can give significance to culture and spirituality. Her work is in the collections of the Manitoba Assembly of Chiefs, the community offices in Norway House and Cross Lake, and the homes and offices of numerous private patrons.

We have a limited number of painting supply packages available for students to pick up at the NDC Indigenous Support Centre (F209). Supplies included and required for this workshop are a canvas, a few paint brushes, and a few paint colours (black, white, red, blue, yellow). Supplies can be purchased at most dollar or craft stores. A cup with water and cloth or paper towel is also good to have on hand. Please contact Terri-Lynn Anderson, Navigation Coach, to arrange pickup.

Elders-in-Residence Cultural Centre Schedule October – December 2021

October 12, 2021

Spend time with Elder Paul Guimond and Ms. Una Swan as they host virtual drop-in centres, workshops, teachings, as well as open their door for in-person appointments.

Activities and schedule subject to change and in response to special College-wide events and holidays. Virtual sessions will be hosted via Microsoft Teams. This schedule runs until December 17, 2021.

Connect on Teams!

Students and staff can join the new Elder’s Microsoft Teams site to easily access events, add them to your calendar, and receive notifications. Virtual events and workshops will be hosted via Microsoft Teams.

To join, use code: l317iay
(Select Teams in the side bar of Microsoft Teams (right below chats), click join team in the top right corner, enter the code.)

Happy Fall Equinox

September 22, 2021

Fall Equinox has always been a significant and ceremonial time of year as we enter into equal part day and night and a new phase of the year. Just like us, Aki (earth in Ojibwe), and all its inhabitants, is preparing itself to get ready for winter. Gardens are giving their final gifts, leaves are falling, animals are changing colour, and the beautiful harvest moon provides extra light so we can prepare to move into a colder, restful season. It’s a season of preparation of what’s to come.

Fall Equinox also leads into why we recognize September 30 as Orange Shirt Day, which has now been declared as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as the time of year when Indigenous children were taken forcibly from their families to Residential Schools.
Next week is our third annual Truth and Reconciliation Week where special guests will join us to share their stories and knowledge on Residential Schools, treaties, anti-racism, intergenerational trauma, and healing.

As the College will be closed on September 30, staff and students are invited to wear orange on Wednesday, September 29.

Check out the Truth and Reconciliation Week 2021 Schedule

September 16, 2021

Red River College’s third annual Truth and Reconciliation Week, September 27 – October 1, 2021, is dedicated to deepening our understanding of Canada’s history, Indigenous cultures, and sparking a conversation around Truth and Reconciliation.

During the week, you will hear from Indigenous voices, engage in the conversation, as well as participate in some interactive activities. Some of the themes we will be touching on this year include anti-racism, Every Child Matters, the Canadian Residential School System, intergenerational trauma, healing, and strength.

Join the TRC Week Microsoft Teams site to easily access events and resources, receive notifications on and join the conversation! Live events will be hosted via Microsoft Teams for ease of use.

There will be a few different channels for you to explore, including channels hosted by the Student’s Association, the Academic Success Centre, and the Library.

To join, use code: z3znhh2

Material Handling 4.0 Information Session

September 10, 2021

Learn more about this new FREE six-week pilot program for Indigenous students so you can start a job in warehousing and distribution! Get job-ready skills, receive a micro-credential and employment services, plus a two-week paid placement. The program builds on the successful training model used by Mohawk College’s City School in Hamilton, Ont.

Material Handling 4.0 Information Session
NEW DATE ADDED: Tuesday, September 21, 2021 – 1:00 pm

No need to register. Click to join to launch WebEx virtual event.
Event password:  RRC2021

For program details, visit rrc.ca/indigenous/materials-handling-4-0

Save the Date: Truth and Reconciliation Week 2021

August 13, 2021

You’re invited to participate in Red River College’s third annual Truth and Reconciliation Week, September 27 – October 1, 2021.

The week is dedicated to deepening our understanding of Canada’s history, Indigenous cultures, and sparking a conversation around Truth and Reconciliation.

During the week, you will have opportunities to hear Indigenous voices, engage in the conversation, as well as participate in some interactive activities. Some of the themes we will be touching on this year include Every Child Matters, the Canadian Residential School System, intergenerational trauma, healing, and strength.

All are welcome to participate in special events and join the conversation. As you participate in this week’s events strong emotions may arise. Be sure to take breaks and practice good self-care. Remember to be kind and do check-ins with yourself. We will share more ways you can do this as we get closer to events, but you can always access RRC Mental Health supports and resources at rrc.ca/wellness

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, 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.

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