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.

Choices for Indigenous Post-Secondary Education of Manitoba (CIPEM) travels Manitoba to highlight colleges and universities to community.

CIPEM is a committee of representatives from RRC Polytech, University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, Assiniboine Community College, and Brandon University who work together and support each other to recruit Indigenous students from all over Manitoba.

They raise awareness of programs and share personal educational journeys that let students and communities know that no matter where you come from, our educational institutions try to meet the needs of Indigenous learners and communities.  

Earlier this week, our Indigenous Liaison Advisor, Marshall Richard, with members of CIPEM, visited Peguis Central School, Peguis Academic Learning Centre, Verna J. Kirkness Institute of Higher Learning (Fisher River), Fisher River High School, Lake St. Martin First Nation School and Pinaymootang High School. Marshall and other recruiters shared with learners the opportunities and resources they have access to in Manitoba’s post-secondary institutions. 

Education is not always linear, and we want Indigenous learners to know that anyone can go back to school. Life happens. CIPEM connects with students on a personal level and tries to show that there are options for wherever you may be at the moment or in the future.

CIPEM also reviews practical information students can use to plan ahead. RRC Polytech offers introductory programs and Pathway programs that help prepare students for full-time, industry-standard programs. Completion of introductory and Pathway programs can help students bypass waitlists, and they don’t have to decide on a major right away. These courses help students explore their options with culturally-inclusive wrap-around supports.

Getting out in the communities and making those person-to-person connections are what make the biggest impression on future students and their communities. Marshall and the other CIPEM recruiters are heading out again the week of October 31.

Contact Cipem

For more information, you can reach Marshall Richard at indigenous.recruitment@rrc.ca.

RRC Polytechnic’s Indigenous Student Support Team is bringing back R-Crew!

We’re getting back into the swing of things with live events at both campuses and we need your help as students. Bring your perspective and ideas to the team and help make the most memorable year yet!

The Indigenous Student Support Team is looking for five full-time Indigenous students to volunteer at the Notre Dame and Exchange District Campuses. R-Crew Members, or Resource Crew Members, will be directly involved with Indigenous-focused activities and events year-round. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to brainstorm and implement plans, speak and perform at events, and help with logistical set-up and tear-down, among many other tasks and responsibilities. We expect to have weekly or bi-weekly meetings to plan for and work on upcoming events, depending on members’ schedules.

Successful applicants who complete 100 hours of volunteer time between November 2022 and June 2023 will be awarded a $1000 bursary!

Qualified applicants must:

• have a willingness to learn
• possess a strong sense of teamwork and dedication
• have the time and flexibility to work outside of class time hours
• be an Indigenous full-time RRC Polytech student
• be able to serve as an integral part of RRC Polytech’s Indigenous Student Support team.

Please submit your Resume and Cover Letter to: Terri-Lynn Anderson, Events Coordinator, School of Indigenous Education, tlanderson@rrc.ca.

Application Deadline:  Friday, November 4, 2022

Everyone is invited to join the Bannock Babes in The Cave (DM30) at NDC for Drag Bingo on October 20 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm!  

The event, organized by Indigenous Student Supports and the Students’ Association, is in-person and played on electronic devices, so players will need to bring their own phone or laptop that can connect to wifi. Students are welcome to bring their families for a family fun night with performances by the Bannock Babes between rounds. Food and refreshments will be available (bannock dogs anyone?) and prizes to be won! 

Your hosts, the Bannock Babes, are a collective of Indigenous drag artists based in Winnipeg. They blossomed in the spotlight in March 2019 and have since performed for the No Stone Unturned concert, Read by Queens at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and a mural unveiling by artist Peatr Thomas in St. Boniface. The Bannock Babes regularly raise funds for local charities, including the 2 Spirit Pow Wow. You may not see them making bannock, but these babes from three different provinces are hard to forget. 

Entry is free of charge — we just ask attendees to register in advance. We will also be accepting cash donations for the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award through the college or a tin for the bin to help support the Students’ Association hamper program. 

Register now – spots are filling up fast in The Cave, and we don’t want you to miss out. Bring your friends, family, and phone! See you on the 21^st!  

If you have any questions, email Terri-Lynn Anderson at tlanderson@rrc.ca

Pictured above: participants from the red dress pin workshop.

The following message includes topics that may trigger strong emotions, especially for those with lived experiences. It is recommended that we all check in on ourselves and access the resources available to us to ensure we are taking good care of our mental health. For mental health and self-care resources, visit here.

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People (MMIWG2S) released their Final Report in June 2019. The report detailed over 2,380 accounts from family members, survivors of violence, experts and Knowledge Keepers during two years of evidence gathering. Two volumes of the report conclude that persistent human and Indigenous rights violations are the root cause of Canada’s high rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people.

Sections 11.1 – 11.2 call on educators across all levels to provide awareness to the public about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two Spirit people and about the issues and causes of violence they experience. In this digital age, we have the ability to spread the truth, but we are also at odds with misinformation borne from ignorance and racism. It is our duty to their families and communities to advocate for the truth of Canada’s complacency in crimes against Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people.

Oct. 4, the National Day of Action for MMIWG2S, is dedicated specifically to raise awareness for people to learn more about the violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people and how they can support the 231 Calls to Justice of the National Inquiry’s Final Report.

We encourage staff to use and share resources like Sheila North’s and Leonard Yakir’s documentary 1200+ and its introduction, which the College has free access to until Oct. 9.

The Government of Canada’s National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls always has free resources available, including direct access to the Final Report itself.

Many Indigenous organizations have additional programs that support the National Inquiry and education on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People like the Southern Chiefs’ Organization Inc. MMIWG2S and Violence Prevention.

Educating yourself and challenging misinformation will help motivate social and structural change in which Indigenous women, girls, and two spirit people and their families won’t have to suffer from violence or injustice.

Staff and students can express their learning efforts by displaying a red dress in their windows, or by visiting the Indigenous Student Support Centre (F209) at the Notre Dame Campus on Oct. 4 to write a message of remembrance or hope on a red dress cutout.

We also acknowledge that this observance may be emotionally taxing, especially for Indigenous employees. Please remember that, outside of formal events in which they agree to participate, our Indigenous colleagues may decline discussing this observance because of its emotional and cultural impact.

We recognize that days/weeks of observance, e.g., Truth and Reconciliation Week and National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit people, may trigger many powerful emotions. It is recommended that you check in on your mental health and use self-care techniques. If you need help, please don’t hesitate to reach out or access any of the following resources:

• Mental Health Coordinator
• Healthy Minds Healthy College
• Homewood Health’s Employee and Family Assistance
• First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Helpline
  • ​​​​​​​1.855.242.3310 or online chat at hopeforwellness.ca
• Klinic Crisis Line (24/7)
  • Phone: 204.786.8686 Toll free: 1.888.322.3019

Self-care is a powerful tool to help us work through emotions and take better care of our minds, bodies and spirits and can come in many forms and is not one-size-fits-all.

• Here are some recommendations:
• Spend time with a loved one
• Phone a friend
• Ask a loved one for a hug
• Read a book, watch a favourite movie, or listen to music
• Go for a walk, do yoga, or exercise
• Take a warm bath or shower
• Cook yourself a nice meal
• Meditation or prayer
• Download a meditation app
• Write in a journal
• Get proper sleep