Tabitha Harper, Social Innovation and Community Development – Indigenous Social Entrepreneurship alumna, was recently hired on as the Reconciliation Adviser at the Manitoba Museum. Congratulations on the new role, Tabitha!
Read more about Tabitha’s role on the Winnipeg Free Press website.
RRC Polytech is proud to host its 24th annual Pow Wow to acknowledge the accomplishments of Indigenous graduates. The annual Pow Wow gives our community the opportunity to dance, drum, sing, eat, connect, and participate in Ceremony.
Please join us to celebrate Indigenous graduates as we send them off on their continued journeys to success.
All Indigenous students graduating in 2024 are encouraged to join us to celebrate! Full-time, part-time, students that attend regional campuses, and students graduating in Fall 2024 are welcome to register and participate in Pow Wow.
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 can register at the Registration Table on the morning of the event.
Attendees don’t need to register ahead of time.
Chef Patrick Anderson was featured again on the heels of his appearance on CBC’s The Current — this time, he was featured in Unreserved‘s edition of Food and Memory. Listen to his discussion of the role food plays in our relationships, our communities and our memories here: Food and memory | CBC.ca
Chef Patrick discusses how his class learns to think differently about the ingredients in the local environments around them, the food they currently eat, and how integrating traditional ingredients can be a strong way to engage with culture and be cognizant of health impacts.
General RRC Polytech Application Required
The deadline to submit applications for the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award has been extended to February 26, 2024.
Information sessions on submitting applications will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 13 in F209 at NDC and on Wednesday, Feb. 14 in P407 at EDC from 12pm – 1pm. Learn more about what to include in the one-page essay and how to submit a General RRC Polytech Application. No registration required.
The Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award was made possible through collaboration between Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement, College & Public Relations and the Campus Store. The award is funded by the generous support of RRC Polytech students, staff and faculty through campaigns at the RRC Polytech Campus Store that bring awareness to Truth and Reconciliation and Indigenous-led initiatives such as Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People Day of Honour and Awareness.
In 2023, the Orange Shirt was designed by Ininew artist Leticia Spence, the design of which incorporates motifs from First Nations, Métis and Inuit art. The Red Shirt was created by Métis artist Shayre Curé, which features the iconic handprint over a woman’s mouth to pay homage to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People.
“[The award] represents a lot of resilience in Indigenous People, it’s not only just me—there’s a lot of people that have been through similar things. You can overcome that. You can still pursue your dreams as long as you put your mind to it.”
– Rebecca Choken, 2023 Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award recipient.
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. 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 Indigenous full-time students. 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 Polytech Application, proof of Indigenous heritage, and a one-page essay submission. The deadline for applications is February 26, 2024. 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.
Last year, the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award was awarded to two recipients: Rebecca Choken and Wendy Monias.
No registration required.
Sara is a Red River Métis woman and a registered member of the Manitoba Métis Federation. Sara is a mother, auntie, medicine grower, tea harvester and maker, and found-item and ceramics artist. Sara’s maternal grandparents were of Irish and Hungarian descent. Her Métis dad grew up in Carman, Manitoba, with roots in Îlet De Bois. His parents were both from Métis families that span generations.
She has a Recreation and Community Leadership Diploma from University College of the North (previously Keewatin Community College).
Sara is a returning staff member (Indigenous Centre Coordinator), Graduation Pow Wow organizer and was a member of the Medicine Wheel Garden, RRC Daycare and Graduation committee member.
Sara brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise with 7 years at FortWhyte Farms guiding Indigenous youth from all over Winnipeg, leading various programming connecting youth to the land and helped to create a medicine garden classroom. While at Ndinawe, she brought together culture and recreation in Winnipeg’s North End and spent 6 years in Family and Youth Special Projects on the land, online and in ceremony.
She is so excited to bring her experience and to be back at the College!
Grandmother Ivy will be joining the Indigenous Student Support Team once a week to provide additional support to Indigenous students. Join us in the Indigenous Support Centre for a come-and-go Meet and Greet with Grandmother Ivy. Drop by the centre for a chat and some coffee as your schedule allows.
Grandmother Elder Ivy is a full-blood Dakota with strong family ties to Sioux Valley First Nation and a connection to Sayisi Dene First Nation through marriage. She was raised in a traditional family and community, grounded in her culture and teachings.
As a Residential School Survivor, Grandmother Ivy is considered a Warrior by her family. She escaped Residential School and made her way to Winnipeg, where she connected with others who had also fled. She endured and overcame life on the streets and the challenges of gang involvement in the city.
Despite these hardships, she completed high school and attended the University of Manitoba. Grandmother Ivy is unapologetic in her belief that Indigenous people do not need colonial validation to prove their intelligence or worth.
She has dedicated her life to serving her people and building a strong urban community for future generations. She is especially proud of helping to organize the first annual walk for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Over the years, she has played a key role in founding numerous organizations and has contributed her knowledge and guidance to schools, post-secondary institutions, health educators, and government departments.
As a Grandmother, she is deeply committed to supporting youth who face barriers, along with the individuals who work alongside them. This work fuels her hope and belief that our young people have the power to change the world.
As of 2022, January 4 has been recognized as National Ribbon Skirt Day in Canada. Senator Mary Jane McCallum was inspired to put forth a bill in 2021 to officially recognize the day after a young Indigenous woman was told her ribbon skirt “did not meet the formal requirements” during a school event.
Today, we honour the history of the ribbon skirt, which is traditionally worn in ceremonies and at special events by Indigenous women. The ribbon skirt, with its unique patterns and colours, represents the identity, diversity and strength of the person wearing it.
Acknowledging National Ribbon Skirt Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the importance of Indigenous traditions and culture, which for decades were banished through colonialism and assimilation policies.
Students and staff are invited to join Sara McIvor-Prouty for a Ribbon Skirt Craft Workshop, today from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. in the Indigenous Student Support Centre, F209, Notre Dame Campus. All supplies will be provided. Registration not required; spots will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
For any questions about the workshop, please email Sara at smcivor@rrc.ca.
The Knowledge Keepers Council has provided many different areas of the College with cultural and strategic direction based on traditional and scholarly perspectives of ethics, concepts, and practices of reconciliation.
The College community is invited to a come-and-go Meet-and-Greet with the Knowledge Keepers Council on Thursday, November 16, in E155 at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae from 2pm to 4pm at the Exchange District Campus. You’re welcome to drop by between to introduce yourself and get to know the Knowledge Keepers over a cup of coffee and snacks.
We’re proud to work with respected Elders and Knowledge Keepers from a wide range of communities with diverse experiences. The insight they have provided to the College has made our approach to Truth and Reconciliation stronger, and we look forward to a long and enriching relationship based on the spirit of reciprocity and respect.
The Knowledge Keepers Council is interdepartmentally sponsored through Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement, Human Resources, the School of Indigenous Education, and Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development.
Paul Guimond is part of the Turtle Clan and his Spirit Name is Okonace (Little Eagle Bone). He lives with his wife Kim in Sagkeeng First Nation and together they have three children, 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Elder Paul studied Counselling Skills at the University of Manitoba and is a certified coach in hockey, baseball and lacrosse.
In Sagkeeng, Elder Paul sat on Chief & Council for 20 years and served as the School Board Chairman for ten years. Elder Paul is a Sundance Bundle Carrier (Chief), Sweat Lodge Bundle Carrier (Water drum) and Dark Room Bundle Carrier. He is an active Elder with Addictions Foundation of Manitoba and Sagkeeng Child & Family Services, where he offers healing, guidance in spiritual growth and personal development through ceremony, programming and encouraging healthy relationships.
Elder Paul joined the Elder-in-Residence Program at Red River College Polytechnic in 2018.
Richard is part of the Sturgeon Clan and his Spirit Name is Mashkode – Bizhiki (Buffalo Man). He is Métis and discovered the Red Road after becoming a foster parent with Sagkeeng Child and Family Services. Uncovering his Indigeneity and attending Sweat Lodges and Sundances helped Richard overcome personal adversities, such as the workplace injury that prevented him from continuing his career in mining.
For the last three years, Richard has been a Knowledge Keeper with Sagkeeng Anicinabe High School in Sagkeeng First Nation. He takes youth out onto the land picking medicine and collecting grandfathers (sacred stones for Sweat Lodges), firewood, and tiipii poles. He and his wife Tammy have four children and four grandchildren. Richard facilitates workshops like medicine picking, hand drum building, and Sweat Lodges with multiple organizations, including Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Center, Sagkeeng Child and Family Services and RRC Polytech.
Allen Sutherland, Waabishki Mazinazoot Mishtaatim (White Spotted Horse), Anishinaabe, of the Bizhiw Doodem (Lynx Clan), Skownan First Nation, Treaty 2 Territory.
Allen Sutherland is the Life Long Learning Lodge Keeper, Government of First Nations Treaty 2 Territory. Allen is an independent consultant and provides facilitation and training under his company WHITE SPOTTED HORSE.
In 2014, he was the recipient of the Aboriginal Circle of Educators Researcher and/or Curriculum Development Award for developing the Canadian Indigenous Historical Timeline poster that is now used in the Treaty Kits of Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba.
Allen is an Anishinaabek Traditional Knowledge Keeper, providing traditional ceremonies, teachings, spiritual advice, and healing.
Barbara Bruce is a citizen of the Métis Nation – Michif aen Otipemisiwak, and Two-Spirit. Her beliefs of Métis and other Indigenous traditional teachings are reflected in her 35+ years of experience. Her dedication to advancing the rightful place of the Two Spirit community, Métis and other Indigenous women and children are an integral part of her life.
She has extensive networks and working relationships with the Métis Nation and other Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders, organizations and governments across Canada. Her portfolio includes board appointments with the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board, the Manitoba Communities Economic Development Fund, the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, Top 40 Under 40, the University of Winnipeg Board of Regents and the Métis Child and Family Services Authority.
Barbara has received extensive recognition and honour for her work in cultural social justice and for her contribution to the wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples from many communities and organizations, like the Human Rights Commission of Manitoba, Sagkeeng First Nation, Keeping the Fires Burning with Ka Ni Kanichihk as a kookum, the Order of Manitoba as a 2018 inductee, and the Nellie McClung Foundation as one of the 150 Manitoba Women Trailblazers.
Albert McLeod is a Status Indian with ancestry from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and the Métis community of Norway House in northern Manitoba. He has 30+ years of experience as a human rights activist and is one of the directors of the Two-Spirited People of Manitoba.
Albert began his Two-Spirit advocacy in Winnipeg in 1986 and became an HIV/AIDS activist in 1987. He was the director of the Manitoba Aboriginal AIDS Task Force from 1991 to 2001. In 2018, Albert received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Winnipeg.
Albert lives in Winnipeg where he works as a consultant specializing in Indigenous Peoples, cultural reclamation, and cross-cultural training.
Martha Peet, Inuit Elder and storyteller from Taloyaok, Nunavut, believes that telling stories is about sharing her own experiences and the traditional Inuit way of life.
Taloyaok was founded in 1948 when the HBC established a trading post. Five nomadic families moved in, including hers. Peet was born in 1950.
“I was there from the beginning. I lived in an igloo in the winter and a tent in the summer. My job as a child was collecting cotton in the summer for the wick on the seal oil [soapstone] lamp, which was fueled by blubber. I always had chores. I carried water twice a day from the lake. I made bannock and tea. We boiled our meat—seal and caribou,” she says.
As a storyteller for over 30 years, Peet enjoys sharing stories about her life, where she is from, and the Inuit way of life of years ago including the importance of animals and traditions.
Janice Millar was born and raised in Winnipeg to an Inninew mother and Métis father, growing up with four sisters. Today, she’s a proud mother of five and grandmother of three.
Grandmother Janice received a Bachelor of Education and Post Baccalaureate in Counseling at the University of Manitoba. For 37 years, she worked at the Winnipeg School Division as a counselor and support for Indigenous students in addition to her work with teachers, vice principals, principals, directors and school board committee members. She has recently retired and continues her work in the community.
“The foundation of my work was to clear a path to build student success, with the end result of creating equitable learning environments for all students. I was schooled in Western Education—I was also schooled in Indigenous Education by the old people. I have recently joined the Indigenous Student Support Team at Red River College Polytech. I enjoy working with students here, and I am looking forward to this new journey and getting to know the students.”
Ivy Chaske is a Dakota Kunshi, or Grandmother, that recently joined the Knowledge Keepers Council to offer her perspective on initiatives around the College.
We’re very excited to welcome Grandmother Ivy to the College and we’re looking forward to working with her.
Grandmother Janice will be joining the Indigenous Student Support Team once a week to provide additional support to Indigenous students, as well as the Knowledge Keepers Council and College community.
Join us in the Indigenous Support Centre for a come-and-go Meet and Greet with Grandmother Janice. Drop by the centre for a chat and some coffee as your schedule allows.
Tansi, boozhoo, hi there –
My name is Janice Millar. I was born and raised in Winnipeg. My Mom was Ininew (Cree) and My Dad was Métis. I come from a family of 5 Girls. I am a mother of five and a grandmother to three.
I worked in the Winnipeg School Division for 37 years and have just recently retired. Most of my years were spent in Counseling and supporting Indigenous Education/Students. I also worked with Teachers, Vice Principals, Principals, Directors and School Board Committee Members.
The foundation of my work was to clear a path to build Student Success, with the end result of creating equitable learning environments for all students. I was schooled in Western Education. I received my Bachelor of Education and Post Baccalaureate in Counseling at the University of Manitoba. I was also schooled in Indigenous Education by the Old People.
I have recently joined the Indigenous Student Support Team at RRC Polytech. I enjoy working with students here. I am looking forward to this new journey and getting to know the students.
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.