Social Innovation and Community Development Student Teddy Lands Earns Lieutenant Governor’s Award

Teddy Lands crossed the stage at RRC Polytech’s Spring 2026 Convocation as one of three recipients of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award.

For Lands, though, recognition was never the goal.

When Lands received the call advising they’d been selected for the award, they hadn’t realized how prestigious it was. The award, however, affirmed a dedication to community service that started over thirty years ago.

They began volunteering as a teenager while receiving care at the Manitoba Adolescent Treatment Centre (MATC) in the 1990s. There they participated in youth leadership and fundraising activities while recovering from mental health challenges. After leaving treatment, Lands became a student at Children of the Earth High School with the encouragement of their parents, who were also pursuing their own journeys in sobriety.

“Volunteering gave me a purpose,” said Lands. “In woodworking class, we made toy trains for the Christmas Cheer Board. One year, we did hampers and I recognized those boxes. It’s those little seeds that I recognized from my childhood… Growing up as a poor brown kid in Winnipeg in the ‘80s and ‘90s was tough, but I allowed those seeds to grow and I continued volunteering as an adult.”

They immersed themself in volunteering through the student council while at Children of the Earth. At the same time, though, they found themself struggling again and later were re-admitted to MATC.

Looking back, Lands says part of their struggle stemmed from the cultural shock they felt trying to understand their Indigenous identity in Winnipeg’s landscape during the 90s. Lands returned to volunteering regularly after they were discharged from MATC and they went on to volunteer at the Health Sciences Centre, the Women’s Hospital, Nine Circles Community Health Centre, Siloam Mission, the Manitoba FASD Coalition, Trans Manitoba, and many others.

“Everything came from figuring out who I am because I walk in two worlds,” said Lands. “I walked and lived in the western world for so long, and I wanted to walk in the world I was born into as an Indigenous person. I didn’t want to lose pieces of myself… Volunteering gave me back some of those pieces. It always felt so good to be part of something outside of myself.”

After earning their General Educational Development in 1999, Lands enrolled at RRC Polytech as a young parent in 2002 where they began in the College Preparation for Aboriginal Students program before pursuing studies in social work. However, a series of significant personal responsibilities put their education on hold and after navigating those challenges, Lands continued their post-secondary journey at the University of Manitoba. They graduated with a diploma in Aboriginal Child and Family Services in 2005.

Lands’ returned to RRC Polytech after many years of sobriety and reflection on the next chapter in their life. While helping their daughter explore post-secondary options in 2018, they enrolled in Creative Communications (CreComm) with an interest in public relations. They enjoyed the program, but balancing online studies and health challenges with family responsibilities during the pandemic was difficult.

They pivoted again after spending more time in Indigenous spaces on campus, and they met students from the Social Innovation and Community Development (SICD) program. These conversations introduced Lands to a path that felt like a natural extension of the community work they did for years, so they made the switch.

Today, their studies in SICD have bloomed into a media business venture through Indigenous Social Entrepreneurship. This fall, they plan to register the name of their business with the Companies Office in Manitoba and continue their education in the Community Development stream.

“I’ve got big goals for myself,” said Lands. “I didn’t think I’d make it this far in life, but it’s because of all those little seeds from when I was a kid that led me up to this point.”

As they prepare for the next phase of their education and building their career, Lands remains focused on creating opportunities by offering their time to others. For someone whose journey began with volunteering, curiosity, and a desire to grow, receiving the Lieutenant Governor’s Award feels less like a destination and more like another step forward – less like the fruits of their work and more like another seed to plant.

Take part in a week of learning, reflection, and connection through Indigenous teachings, storytelling, and experiences. This year’s events will include in-person sessions led by Knowledge Keepers, staff, and special guests, along with self-guided opportunities curated by departments across the Polytech.

Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Week invites us all to deepen our understanding of Canada’s history and the ongoing impacts of colonization on Indigenous Peoples. It’s a time to listen, learn, and take meaningful steps together toward reconciliation, healing, and stronger relationships rooted in respect and truth.

Monday, Sept. 28

All day | Greenhouse, NDC | Buffalo Hide Tanning and Scraping
12 to 1:30 p.m. | Roundhouse Auditorium, EDC | Kevin Chief Author’s Talk and Book Launch
12 to 1:30 p.m. | F209, NDC | Red Dress Beading Workshop
10 to 11 a.m. | GM33 EMP, NDC | Anti-Racism Immersive Experience: How the Dog Learned to Dance

Tuesday, Sept. 29

11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. | E155, EDC | Red Dress Pin Beading Workshop
12 to 1:30 p.m. | Roundhouse Auditorium, EDC | The Tools and Knowledge Left for Us by Our Elders Video-Based Learning Modules Viewing
10 to 11 a.m. | GM33 EMP, NDC | Anti-Racism Immersive Experience: How the Dog Learned to Dance
12 to 1:30 p.m. | F209, NDC | Anishinaabemowin Workshop
12 p.m. to 1 p.m. | South Winnipeg Campus | Canadian Indigenous Historical Timeline

Wednesday, Sept. 30

All RRC Polytech campuses closed for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Thursday, Oct. 1

All day | Greenhouse, NDC | Buffalo Skull Cleaning
12 to 1:30 p.m. | Roundhouse Auditorium, EDC | Building Trust to Drive Growth: Strengthening Our Community Through Relational Leadership
12 to 1:30 p.m. | P107, EDC | Anishinaabemowin Workshop
12 to 1:30 p.m. | F209, NDC | Indigenous Veterans Presentation
12 to 1:30 p.m. | F311, NDC | Talking Circles for Instructors
12 to 1 p.m. | GM33 EMP, NDC | Anti-Racism Immersive Experience: How the Dog Learned to Dance
12 to 1:30 p.m. | South Winnipeg Campus | Land Acknowledgement Workshop

Friday, Oct. 2

12 to 1:30 p.m. | Roundhouse Auditorium, EDC | Closing Keynote with Ovide Mercredi
2 to 3 p.m. | GM33 EMP, NDC | Anti-Racism Immersive Experience: How the Dog Learned to Dance
1:30 to 3:30 p.m. | Brookside Cemetery | Indigenous Veterans Walking Tour

Read more on the Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement blog.

Students and staff are invited to meet Grandmother Janice Miller at a Meet and Greet on September 9, 2026, from 11 am to 6 pm in Room E155 in Manitou a bi Bii daziigae at the Exchange District Campus.

Grandmother Janice was born and raised in Winnipeg. She is of Inninew and Métis ancestry and brings more than 37 years of experience supporting Indigenous student success. As a former counsellor with the Winnipeg School Division, she has dedicated her career to helping create equitable learning environments for students while working closely with educators, administrators, and community partners.

Since joining the Indigenous Student Support team, Grandmother Janice has continued her commitment to supporting students and fostering meaningful connections through Indigenous ways of knowing, learning, and community.

For more information, contact EldersinResidence@rrc.ca.

Event Details

• Wednesday, September 9, 2026
• 11 am to 6 pm
• Room E155, Manitou a bi Bii daziigae

Join us as we gather to recognize the Fall Equinox on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the Exchange District Campus. The Fall Equinox is one of four seasonal transition points throughout the year, alongside the Winter and Summer Solstices and the Spring Equinox. It marks the point when day and night are nearly equal in length and signals a shift toward the cooler months ahead and the end of summer. Traditionally, this time of year is associated with harvesting, giving thanks for what has been provided, and preparing for the changes that come with the next season.

To acknowledge the seasonal transition, the Indigenous Student Supports team invites students, staff and community members to come together for a morning of Ceremony, reflection and community. The event will begin with a Pipe Ceremony at 10 a.m. in the Roundhouse Auditorium at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae. The gathering will conclude with a Feast at 12 p.m. as we celebrate the changing of the season together.

The Roundhouse Auditorium is located on the second floor of Manitou a bi Bii daziigae at the Exchange District Campus. Everyone is welcome to attend! To help reduce waste, please bring your Feast Bundle if you have one.

Fall Equinox 2026
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
10 a.m. Pipe Ceremony
12 p.m. Feast

Location: Roundhouse Auditorium, Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, Exchange District Campus

We look forward to gathering with you to celebrate the season and the importance of community, reflection and gratitude.

Earn a $1000 bursary by June 2027 and build your connections on campus

The Indigenous Student Support & Partnerships department recruits students each year known amongst their peers as the R-Crew, or Resource Crew. The R-Crew positions provide a great opportunity for Indigenous students to get involved with Indigenous-focused activities and events, while learning valuable leadership skills, gaining work experience, and becoming a role model to other students. These students are an integral part of our team and help to build our community on campus. Every year, we welcome new R-Crew members to take on leadership roles in our community.                                        

Qualified applicants must have: 

• a willingness to learn;
• a strong sense of teamwork and dedication;
• time and flexibility to work outside of class time hours, and;
• the ability to serve as an integral part of RRCP’s Indigenous Student Support team.

Members who complete 100 hours of volunteer time between October 2026 and June 2027, will be awarded a $1,000 bursary.  If you have any questions, contact Sara McIvor-Prouty, Events and Facilities Coordinator, Indigenous Education, at smcivor@rrc.ca

 Apply by Friday, September 29, 2026.

The Community Development and Indigenous Social Entrepreneurship diplomas through the Social Innovation and Community Development program are now accredited by Cando (Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers). Graduates are eligible to earn the Technician Aboriginal Economic Developer (TAED) designation.

Students in the SICD programs spend their studies learning how to create meaningful change in communities. They build practical skills in community development, socio-economic development, environmental issues, and economic reconciliation, while gaining valuable work experience and learning through Indigenous perspectives. Cando-accredited programs provide students with the training, skills, and credentials needed to support sustainable economic success in Indigenous communities across Canada. Accreditation affirms that an institution or program adheres to high-quality standards, giving students confidence in their education while securing credit transfer options, meeting industry requirements, and improving employment prospects.

Once a student graduates, they will receive their TAED certification, which recognizes the knowledge and competencies they developed through their studies in Community Development or Indigenous Social Entrepreneurship. The designation demonstrates readiness to support Indigenous communities, organizations, governments, and social enterprises in advancing economic and community development initiatives.

Learn more about both streams in Social Innovation and Community Development on the Program Explorer.

Treaty One was signed at Lower Fort Garry in 1871. Representatives of Britain and the Chiefs of seven First Nations: Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Long Plain First Nation, Peguis First Nation, Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, Sagkeeng First Nation, Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation, and Swan Lake First Nation signed an agreement that allowed settlers to live on this land and opened the way for the subsequent Numbered Treaties.

Yesterday marked the anniversary of the signing of Treaty 1. We acknowledge the historic relationship established through Treaty 1 and recognize the enduring rights, responsibilities, and commitments that continue today. We reflect on the importance of understanding our shared history and advancing reconciliation through meaningful action.

Learn more about the Treaties:

• 4 Seasons of Reconciliation Education (RRC Polytech Staff training)
• Learn more with The Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba
• Learn about the communities in Treaty 1

Jamie Wilson went on CJOB to talk about the release of Our Roadmap Forward Report as part of Overcoming Barriers for Indigenous Students Project along with alumni Joey Laquette, Plumbing, and Hevyn-Lee Martens, Social Innovation and Community Development. Joey and Hevyn-Lee shared their college experiences on-air and discussed the community they found at RRC Polytech.

Today’s Pipe Ceremony will be held at 10am in the Indigenous Student Support Centre F209.

Due to the rain in the forecast, we will not be having the Ceremony at the Medicine Wheel Garden.

When Qualico announced its partnership with RRC Polytech in May 2025, it affirmed a shared commitment to building accessible pathways into skilled trades. Less than a year later, that commitment is already evolving. 

With continued support from Qualico, the Introduction to Trades program has been redesigned to better meet the needs of industry. Beginning September 1, 2026, the program will transition into Skilled Trades – Foundations, which features increased capacity, strengthened basics, and clearer pathways into future trades education and careers. 

“What excites us most is the scale and momentum of what’s coming next. The program’s formal capacity is almost doubling which means more people will have access to training and career pathways in the trades,” says David Eggerman, Senior Vice-President, Supply Chain, Qualico. 

Skilled Trades – Foundations is a 15-week program designed specifically for First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners. While retaining the hands-on, exploratory nature of the former 20-week Introduction to Trades program, the updated certificate places a stronger emphasis on foundational skills essential for long-term success in the trades, including mathematics, science, and communication. 

“With a shorter timeline, hopefully there won’t be as many stressful school weeks for students and that’ll help them focus,” said Mark Anderson, Navigation Coach for the School of Indigenous Education. Anderson works directly with students to help them access resources at the Polytech – both academic and cultural. 

Learners are introduced to a range of skilled trades through shop experiences, applied learning, and connections with prospective employers. Indigenous knowledge is embedded throughout the curriculum to support learners’ confidence and sense of belonging as they prepare for the next steps in education or employment. 

“A lot of students are really engaged with the cultural activities because they’ve never had the opportunity to learn that way,” said Anderson. “This spring, the students got to make drums with the Knowledge Keeper-in-Residence. They started with scraping the hides, then worked on tanning, and right down to lacing them on the frames. It was a really great takeaway for them – getting to do that is really motivating.” 

 Introduction to Trades previously accepted 32 students across two intakes per year. Now, Skilled Trades – Foundations will welcome up to 60 students across three intakes per year. This growth allows more learners to access training that aligns with updated skilled trades start dates at RRC Polytech and ensures smoother transitions into apprenticeship programs and entry‑level employment. Like Introduction to Trades, Skilled Trades – Foundations will earn graduates direct entry into any RRC Polytech trades program. 

In addition to program expansion, Qualico’s elevated partnership also includes the Qualico Trades for All Award, which provides direct financial support to students pursuing training in the skilled trades. The award helps ease financial pressures and helps recipients focus more fully on their studies and career goals. 

“When I submitted my application for the award, I honestly felt hopeful but unsure if I would actually receive it,” says Chloe Jessop, an Electrical student that graduated from Introduction to Trades. “I knew how much this opportunity could help me continue pursuing a career in the trades, but there were so many deserving applicants. Receiving the award while I was in the middle of my pre-employment program was an incredible feeling. It gave me a lot of confidence in myself and reminded me that the hard work I had been putting into my education and training was being recognized and supported.” 

The evolution of the program to Skilled Trades – Foundations reflects what’s possible when education and industry work together. Through increased capacity, enhanced curriculum, and targeted student support, Qualico’s partnership with RRC Polytech is helping learners build momentum toward meaningful careers. 

“Looking back, we’re most proud of how quickly this partnership moved from vision to real, tangible impact. In just one year, we’ve seen students engaging directly with industry through classroom presentations, site tours, and conversations with our teams and trades we partner with. Hearing directly from students during site tours and events reinforced that early industry exposure really does matter. It’s helping students see a future for themselves in the trades, and that’s exactly why this partnership exists,” says Eggerman. 

Together, we are strengthening communities, supporting Indigenous learners, and helping ensure a vibrant future for the skilled trades in Manitoba and beyond. 

“What I look forward to most in my future career is continuing to learn and grow within the electrical trade while building a stable future for myself. I enjoy the hands-on aspect of the work, problem solving, and seeing the results of what I build. I’m also excited about the opportunity to work alongside experienced tradespeople, continue developing my skills, and eventually become a journeyperson myself. I hope to inspire other young people, especially those entering trades programs, to pursue opportunities they are passionate about,” says Jessop. 

For more information about Skilled Trades – Foundations and to get started on your application, visit the Program Explorer and take the first step toward building a future in the trades.