Get your MMF Citizenship or Harvester Card! 

The Manitoba Metis Federation Citizenship Registry Office will be in the Atrium at EDC on January 23 from 10 am – 2 pm offering applications and renewals. Best of all? We’re covering the fees for all students! Don’t miss this chance to get your card—see you there!

No registration is required.

• 10 am – 2 pm
• Wednesday, Jan. 22
• Atrium, Exchange District Campus

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

Join us on January 13 from 12-1pm at the Indigenous Support Centre for a special event with Ivana Yellowback!

Dive into Full Moon Teachings and experience an enriching discussion open to staff, students, and faculty. Enjoy light snacks and refreshments as we gather in community. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn and connect!

• 12pm – 1pm
• Monday, Jan. 13
• F209 Indigenous Support Centre

No registration is required. If you have any questions, please contact Terri-Lynn Anderson, Truth and Reconciliation Coordinator, tlanderson@rrc.ca.

We’re so excited to welcome back Ivana! She had shared Cedar Bath Teachings with RRC Polytech during the last Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Week. 

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.   

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 (mih-teh at-oh-ski / 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. 

On October 11, thanks to a generous sponsorship from IG Wealth Management, Indigenous high school students had the opportunity to participate in RRC Polytech’s ACE IT Camp at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, where they learned how they could apply an education in information technology into future careers.

The day-long camp began with a smudge and a sharing circle, where students connected and set intentions for the day ahead. Brenton Wilson, a previous Pathway to IT Programs student now enrolled in Application Development and Delivery, presented an introduction to programming concepts using a Sphero Ball – a small robot that allowed participants to practice basic coding commands, such as guiding it along a specific path or programming it to change light colors at intervals. IG Wealth Management played a key role in inspiring students through a presentation on how they can unlock their potential in IT. The day included a panel discussion featuring industry professionals and RRC Polytech IT students, who shared insights into their own career journeys and opportunities in the tech field.

“The students loved the hands-on activities and the chance to be on campus. It was very valuable for them to hear from current students and staff involved in the program – I think it opened their minds to the variety of IT options across all fields of work and the experience showed them the versatility that a career in IT provides,” said Hailey Skrumeda, teacher, Southeast Collegiate.

Students were eager to explore how learning coding and understanding hardware could be applied to their everyday lives – one student shared that having a basic understanding could help them repair console controllers or more efficiently search for documents online.

Technology touches nearly every part of our daily lives – whether it’s apps, social media, or tech products, IT professionals are behind the tools and innovations that shape our world. By pursuing a career in IT, students become part of a vital and ever-growing industry that drives change in almost every aspect of modern life.

RRC Polytech is committed to ensuring that Indigenous students have equitable access to post-secondary education across all industries, which includes providing opportunities to engage with Indigenous professionals in real-world settings. The ACE IT Camp powered by IG Wealth Management not only introduced students to the diverse possibilities in tech, but also showcased the strength of Indigenous students as influential role models.

Through our shared commitment with IG Wealth Management, we are prepared to foster inclusivity in tech, create pathways for future Indigenous leaders, and demonstrate how collaboration can open doors to meaningful opportunities to inspire the next generation. IG Wealth Management continuously supports Indigenous learners through the IG Wealth Management Empower Your Tomorrow Scholarship and Career Development Program at the College. This support reduces the financial burden to students while helping them learn in team settings, build leadership skills and confidence, develop academic and job skills, and gain work experience with IG Wealth.

Learn more about the IG Wealth Management Empower Your Tomorrow Program here.

Learn more about RRC Polytech’s Pathway programs for Indigenous students here.

On behalf of Elder-In-Residence Paul Guimond, we are pleased to invite you to our Winter Solstice Celebration and Pipe Ceremony on Friday, December 6. This time of year can be challenging for many, and this event offers an opportunity to speak, listen, heal, and rest. The Winter Solstice typically occurs on December 21 – the shortest day of the year – but we invite everyone to gather with us on December 6 before the term comes to a close.

Join us for a Pipe Ceremony in the Indigenous Support Centre at 10am, followed by a short walk down to the wiigiyam (tiipii) to the north outside of F Building for the Sacred Fire Offering. Please dress warmly for the weather. At 12pm, we will Feast together in the Indigenous Support Centre.

Date:     Friday, December 6

Time:     10:00 am – Pipe Ceremony, followed by the Sacred Fire Offering

               12:00 pm – Feast

If you have any questions, please contact Sara McIvor-Prouty, Events Coordinator, at smcivor@rrc.ca

No registration is required – everyone is welcome.

Come celebrate the holidays with laughter, cheer, and gingerbread decorating! Bring your family and friends for an evening of holiday joy and exciting activities.

Gingerbread House Decorating
Show off your decorating skills! Gingerbread houses and supplies included.

Prizes & Food Provided
Enjoy holiday treats, warm beverages, and the chance to win fun prizes.

Date: Thursday, December 5th, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Indigenous Support Centre F209, Notre Dame Campus

Registration Required: Register now as spots are limited!
Sign up by emailing: Haley Pratt, navigation coach, at hpratt2@rrc.ca

It wasn’t until 1994, when Indigenous veterans and their families began advocating for recognition, that Canadian society became aware of the mistreatment Indigenous soldiers faced upon returning home. During wartime, Canada took vast amounts of reserve lands, some of which were granted as farmland to non-Indigenous veterans in recognition of their service. Meanwhile, Indigenous veterans were frequently denied the full veterans’ benefits and support programs offered to their non-Indigenous counterparts. In some cases, they were even pressured to “enfranchise”—a process in which they could gain Canadian citizenship and its associated rights, but only if they relinquished their Indian Status and cultural identities.

Today, Indigenous people are celebrated and acknowledged at all levels for their contributions to Canada’s military history. On November 8th, hundreds of ceremonies and vigils are held across the country to honor and reflect on the Indigenous experience in the Canadian military.

To recognize, acknowledge, respect and remember what Indigenous veterans did for our country, we are gifting staff & students commemorative pins. 

Pins can be picked up from the Notre Dame Campus Indigenous Student Support Center (F205).

Stop by 12:00pm-2:00pm to collect your pin.

Last year, VP, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development Jamie Wilson shared his experiences in the Canadian and American militaries, which you can read here on the blog.

Learn more about National Indigenous Veterans’ Day on the Library blog or check out these resources:

• Indigenous Veterans – Veterans Affairs Canada
• First Nations in Canada (rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca)
• Civilization.ca – History of the Vote – Chronicle, A spotlight on 1920-1997 (historymuseum.ca)
• Why some Indigenous people chose to go to war for Canada | Folio (ualberta.ca)
• Indigenous Veterans Day Resource (trentu.ca)
• Support for Veterans (legion.ca)

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.

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.

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.

In honour of National Inuit Day today, the Indigenous Supports Team is screening Ever Deadly in F209 This film weaves concert footage with stunning sequences filmed on location in Nunavut, seamlessly bridging landscapes, stories and songs with pain, anger and triumph—all through the expressions of Tanya Tagaq, one of the most innovative musical performers of our time.

This film discusses topics of trauma and abuse. Viewer discretion is advised.

Drop-in, Thursday, November 7, 2024 from 11:30am to 1 pm in the NDC F209.

Please join us for our annual Welcome Back Celebration

Meet our team of Indigenous Supports

October 16 | 10am – 2pm

F209, Notre Dame Campus

• Headliner 12-1 pm Paul Rabliauskas (Comedian, Actor and Creator of Acting Good)
• Minute to win it prizes!
• Transport from EDC to NDC and return available

Transport from EDC to NDC and return available

P407, Exchange District Campus

• Entertainment, Pizza, Games and Prizes

Paul Rabliauskas is an accomplished stand-up comedian, writer and actor. He’s performed in theatres and festivals across Canada including Oddblock Comedy Festival, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs, Just For Laughs Northwest and the Artic Comedy Festival.
In July 2021 Paul taped his first stand up special at the Just For Laughs Festival that was released on CRAVE TV. His debut television series, Acting Good airs on CTV Comedy Channel and APTN.

The sixth annual Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Week was packed with 35 different opportunities to learn and engage in Truth and Reconciliation education and over 200 members of the College community participated across all campuses.

This year, ‘Community Engagement’ was added to Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Week to reflect the goals of the sessions to evoke participation with the College community and to recognize the leadership of the Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement department at RRC Polytech.

Special thanks to our guest presenters Ivana Yellowback, Shirley Delorms-Russel, Dr. Kathy Absolon, Dr. Karine Duhamel, Sandra Bender, Wilfred Buck, Misty Bear, Lorraine McLeod, Karen Ashbury, Lynn Jones, Gerri-Lee Pangman (McPherson), Jennine Krauchi, Gayle Grubin, and The Bannock Babes for offering various sessions that helped create deeper connections and understanding for the College as a community.

A huge thank you to all the members of the College community that organized and carried out sessions – together, we held the largest and most comprehensive Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Week to date.

And of course, thank you to all who volunteered and participated – your continued support in Truth and Reconciliation is an incredible reflection of our institutional values and an important reminder that we are all on this journey together.

While the intent of the sessions and workshops is to provide learning opportunities and chances to engage with different perspectives, we understand that people have different responses to and interpretations of the content. Some sessions may have elicited strong emotions and we encourage everyone to continue to take good care of yourselves, check in with each other, and reach out for support if needed.

Resources are always available, and we encourage accessing them whenever the need may arise. Students may access Counselling Services through the online intake, and employees may access Homewood Health counselling as part of the employee benefit package and free of charge.

As we know, Truth and Reconciliation is a year-round commitment, so we invite members of the College community to keep an eye on Staff News for upcoming opportunities like the Truth and Reconciliation Community of Practice and Student News for workshop sessions with Navigation Coaches to apply for the Mínwastánikéwin Award.

Phyllis Webstad, whose orange shirt was taken away when she attended Residential School in the 1970s, started the Orange Shirt movement by sharing her story. Since 2013, the Orange Shirt Society has raised awareness of the impacts of Residential Schools and the work Survivors and their families do to heal Indigenous communities. September 30 has been declared the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and recognized as Orange Shirt Day to honour Residential School Survivors, their communities, and the children who never came home.

In honour of Orange Shirt Day, RRC Polytech has partnered with Anishininew artist and alumna Erin Ringland to create an original Orange Shirt design and with Red Rebel Armour, owned and operated by alumnus Sean Rayland-Boubar, to produce the Orange Shirts.

The design features a family of loons, birds that are common all over Turtle Island and carry with them Teachings from many different Indigenous communities. Her inspiration for the design was drawn from a story that came out of Maine a few years ago in which a loon had killed an eagle to protect its chicks.

The gathering of loons and the lengths they’re willing to go to protect their families is a demonstration of how strong the bond is between parent and child. It’s a testament to the strength of community and family – it’s a statement on how powerful love is, and how that love can protect and heal our families from trauma.

Erin Ringland, Digital Media Design, 2017

The Orange Shirts will be available through the Campus Store and all proceeds from Orange Shirt sales go to the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award when applications open for 2025.

Show your support for Truth and Reconciliation by wearing the RRC Polytech Orange Shirt on Friday, September 27 on campus.

Purchase your 2024 Orange Shirt through the Campus Store.

Learn more about Phyllis Webstad and the Orange Shirt Society on their website.

Read more about Erin and this year’s Orange Shirt design on the Alumni Blog.