Language connects us and moves us forward. Students who join Introduction to Anishinaabemowin will be guided by language instructor Corey Whitford in developing language skills in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language) through Anishinaabe cultural worldview and teachings.

“I get to teach the language and fundamentals, which in turn will teach the next generation. We’re ensuring the continuity of the language,” said Corey Whitford.

The course focuses on the language and culture of the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe. Students will practice the alphabet, develop understanding of the double vowel system, learn basic grammatical structures and establish basic writing skills while experiencing and engaging unique, authentic practices like developing personalized greetings, learning traditional songs, and having basic conversations.

“If you’re Indigenous and you’ve never had an Indigenous language course taught to you, this will definitely inspire you to anchor into your roots,” said Corey. “It’ll allow you to feel connected to your ancestors. A lot of us are trying to learn how to be Anishinaabe and speak Ojibwe and I want to invite everyone to come and learn the alphabet, learn how to express emotion in the language, learn how to use emphatic expressions properly, and learn how to honour your ancestors.”

Classes take place every Tuesday and Thursday between May 2 – June 20. Connect with friends, family, and members of your community in your traditional language in a fun and welcoming environment focused on practicing and experiencing Anishinaabemowin.

No books or supplies needed.

Details:
LANG-1038 An Introduction to Anishinaabemowin
May 2, 2023 to June 20, 2023- Tuesday and Thursday, 5-8pm
Where: Manitou a bi Bii Daziigae, 319 Elgin Ave., Winnipeg, MB
Instructor: Corey Whitford
Cost: $252.00

Register online:
Learners can register here. If your fee is being covered by a sponsor, have your sponsor fill in and fax the sponsorship form and we can send them an invoice.

Register in person:
Learners can register in person at the Notre Dame Campus at D101 or our office E113 with cheque or money order. E113 does not take cash, so learners with an exact amount in cash may be able to pay in D101 or Building C on the 2nd floor at the Finance Office to pay after being registered.

We are proud to host the 23^rd annual Pow Wow to honour Indigenous graduates and academic achievement!

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.

Friday, May 5, 2023

North Gym, Notre Dame Campus

• 10am – Pipe Ceremony
• 12pm – Grand Entry
• 2pm – Honouring Indigenous Graduates
• 4:30pm – Feast

Registration for graduating students is now open. Students don’t need to register for stoles ahead of time and can pick them up at the Registration Table at the event.

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

Crafters and artists can email Frank Parkes at fparkes@rrc.ca to register.

Attendees don’t need to register ahead of time.

Wiisinin Diner will be closed tomorrow due to unforeseen circumstances. Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we apologize for any inconvenience. Normal operations are expected to resume later this week. Check back here for confirmation on when Wiisinin Diner will be taking breakfast and lunch orders again.

Mínwastánikéwin is a Cree word that means ‘to set it right.’

RRC Polytech introduced the award in December 2019 and presented the first award in January 2020. The College has since presented the award to three Indigenous students over the past three years. For 2023, two recipients will be selected to each receive the $1000 bursary.

The Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award was made possible through the generous support of RRC students, staff and faculty supporting campaigns at the RRC Campus Store that bring awareness to Truth and Reconciliation and Indigenous issues such as Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Honouring and Awareness Day.

We know that over the last 150 years, 150,000 Indigenous children attended Canadian Residential Schools. We know that 90% of children in Manitoba’s foster care system are Indigenous and more than one-third of Winnipeg’s Indigenous population, nearly 70,000 people, live in poverty. And we also know that despite making up almost 17% of the provincial population, Indigenous peoples are typically underrepresented in post-secondary institutions.

This award is for full-time Indigenous students who have a stake in Truth and Reconciliation and a personal connection to the intergenerational effects of colonialism. Recipients will be selected based on an essay response on what Truth and Reconciliation means to them. To be eligible, applicants are required to submit a General RRC Application, proof of Indigenous heritage, and a one-page essay submission. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2023.  Completed application forms should be submitted by email to financialaid@rrc.ca.

For more information about the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award, see the Awards, Bursaries, and Scholarships Catalogue.

The previous recipients of the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award were Morgan Barbanchon (2019-20), Chasline Spence (2020-21), and Naomi Henderson (2021-22).

It’s 2023 and we hope everyone had a safe and relaxing winter break.

Most classes started up again today, so here’s a look at upcoming events and observations for January:

• Our first-ever cohort for Pathway to IT Programs starts today! Welcome future IT students!
• Today is the first anniversary of Jamie Wilson becoming the VP, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development at RRC Polytech!
• Tomorrow is National Ribbon Skirt Day, and we invite everyone to wear their ribbon skirt! We’re planning a ribbon skirt-making workshop! More information to come.
• We’ll be hosting meet-and-greets with our new Knowledge Keeper Richard Curé in the next couple weeks at both campuses! Stay tuned for more details.
• RRC Polytech and the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce are hosting an Indigenous Student Career Fair on January 18! There will be opportunities for networking, interviews, and headshots. Keep an eye on our blog for more information and to pre-register.
• Next week, the winter cohort for Compass Skills starts!
• Elders and Knowledge Keepers rest their bundles for January, so the Sweat Lodge schedule will resume in February.

Subscribe now to the Indigenous Education Blog get real-time, in-depth updates to our News and Events! We’ll be updating with more information on upcoming events.

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The semester is wrapping up for most classes this week and we just wanted to give a shout-out to all our amazing students!

You did it, and we can’t wait to see you next year! Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect when you return in 2023:

• Classes start Tuesday, January 3, including our first-ever Pathway to IT cohort!
• The 2023 cohort for Compass Skills starts Monday, January 9!
• January 4 is National Ribbon Skirt Day, and we’ll be planning a ribbon skirt-making workshop in early January!
• We’ll host a meet-and-greet with the new Knowledge Keeper, Richard Curé, a couple of weeks into January at both Indigenous Support Centres!
• Elders and Knowledge Keepers rest their bundles in January, so Sweats will resume in February!
• Get your applications in for the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award before January 15. The recipients will be selected in late January!

Happy holidays, stay warm and safe, and get lots of rest!

RRC Polytech and the School of Indigenous Education are pleased to welcome Knowledge Keeper Richard Curé to our community!

This past summer, Richard conducted a Drum Making Workshop to create beautiful drums that now hang in our Indigenous Support Centre at Notre Dame Campus. He has also worked with Elder Paul in Sagkeeng First Nation for many years.

Richard will work alongside Elder Paul and our Indigenous Student Support Team on campus to support RRC Polytech students, staff, and community partners and members. He will work in the same capacity as Elder Paul once he has become accustomed to the many ways our Elders and Knowledge Keepers support our community. Right now, Richard will be on campus Thursdays and Fridays from 8am to 4pm in the Elder’s Office in F209.

Richard also joined the Knowledge Keepers Council, where Knowledge Keepers and Elders from the community are invited to consult on various decisions related to the College’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.

We look forward to hosting a meet and greet in early January in the Indigenous Support Centre F209, so check back for more details in the new year.

If you’d like to learn more about Richard and his role as a Knowledge Keeper, read his bio on our website. If you see Richard on campus, say hi!

The Resource Crew, or R-Crew, helps with activities and events throughout the year.

R-Crew members are amazing students who go beyond their regular studies to support their fellow Indigenous students. They work closely with the Indigenous Student Support Team to plan events, perform, and take care of everything from set-up to clean-up.

They’re always ready to help students – whether you’re new to college or have been around a while – find your way and feel comfortable on campus.

If you see an R-Crew member, don’t hesitate to say hi – they’re here to make sure you have a great college experience!

NDC R-Crew

Hello! My name is Aleesha Wood, and I am from St. Theresa Point First Nation in Island Lake, MB.

I decided to join R-Crew to get the full college experience and to gain skills from the Support Centre. I’ll be happy to help in any way I can and to support in the Indigenous Support Centre!

If you see me, come say hi.

My name is Andrea, and I am an Ojibway Ikwe from Sagkeeng First Nation and Little Black River First Nation. Attending school definitely has overwhelming moments. Having a comfortable and safe space to decompress helps alleviate the stress — I found this relief at the Indigenous Support Centre.

As a newly selected R-Crew member, this opportunity allows me to contribute to the awesome services, activities, and events that the circle of staff coordinates.

EDC R-Crew

My name is Sharon-Rose Bear and my Spirit Name is Flying High Eagle Woman. I am a Cree woman from Muskoday First Nation Saskatchewan, but I was raised here in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I’m a second-year Community Development student here at RRC Polytech, and I also want to pursue a diploma in Indigenous Social Entrepreneurship. I hope to work in the inner city because I grew up there and that area resonates with me.

I am an Indigenous woman who wears many hats, and I have had to learn to manage these hats to become a successful student, mother, and now R-Crew member. If you see me around, don’t be afraid to say hi! I look forward to representing our Indigenous Support Centre.

Thank you!

Sharon-Rose Bear (Flying High Eagle Woman)

Boozhoo! My name is Teddy and I’m in Creative Communications (CreComm) as a part-time student.

I am from Lac Seul Ontario (Treaty 3) but I grew up in Winnipeg. I am active in RRC Polytech Students’ Association as a Student Rep. I am also a new R-Crew team member. I look forward to getting to know you and being an Indigenous student support.

I have a background in social work and I enjoy meeting people and helping where I can. If you need help on campus I am usually found in the Indigenous Student Lounge on EDC in P407 or wheeling my backpack around the halls. Miigwetch.

The Sweat Lodge Ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 13 has been moved to Friday, Dec. 16.

Sweats take place at 1 pm in the Medicine Wheel Garden at the Notre Dame Campus. To register, email Stephanie at sdwright@rrc.ca. Subscribe here for reminders of upcoming Sweats and any schedule changes!

Are you ready for Halloween?

Drop by one of the Indigenous Student Support Centres on either campus and see Terri-Lynn Anderson or any support staff to enter the Costume Contest!

• Monday Oct. 31, 2022 • 8:30am – 4pm
• F209 Notre Dame Campus • P407 Exchange District Campus

Choose your category:

• Single costume
• Duo costumes
• Group costumes

Juices boxes, coffee, and candy will be available throughout the day.

Names of winners for the costume contest will be posted in the centre and they will be contacted.