Join us on Thursday, February 16^th at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae in E235 from 4:30pm to 6pm for a Collage Workshop facilitated by members of the Louis Riel Institute.

This workshop was designed for students of all levels to learn about the significance of celebrating Louis Riel Day in Manitoba. The workshop will focus on Louis Riel, where he came from, and his significance in forming the province of Manitoba.

Participants will make a paper collage of Louis Riel as a way to display the proud history of the Red River Métis and the founding father of Manitoba. Participants will gain an understanding of Louis Riel, Red River Métis history, and gain pride and confidence through the creation of a paper collage focused on Louis Riel.

Register for the Collage Workshop on Thursday, Feb. 16 by emailing Terri-Lynn at tlanderson@rrc.ca.

Join us on Wednesday, February 15^th for the Jig ‘n’ Time workshop with Dean Davis at the Indigenous Support Centre F209 at NDC from 5pm to 8pm. Grab your dancing shoes and learn to jig and square dance as part of our Louis Riel Day week-long celebration!

Dancing has been a huge part of Dean’s life for the last 20 years and for the last decade, he has trained dancers of all ages and levels in cultural Métis jigging and square dancing.

Dean has performed over 400 shows as a square dancer with well-known groups such as the Asham Stompers and the Métis Club Traditional Dancers. He has danced in Winnipeg and throughout Manitoba and made appearances in Saskatchewan, Ontario, Alberta, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

His own training began at the age of 40 at the Métis Club of Winnipeg, where he learned to jig and later began dancing with the Asham Stompers. The Asham Stompers are a synonymous dance group showcasing the Métis jig internationally.

Métis jigging is a high-energy dance that ensures mental and physical fitness. Dancing regularly provides immense benefits whether at dance lessons, practices or performances. Dean believes the best way to maintain good health and fitness is by engaging in fun and invigorating activities like jigging and square dancing.

Throughout the years, Dean has worked with many dancers at various ages who are now champion dancers are winning competitions as individuals and as dance groups. He teaches weekly at the Métis Club and holds workshops with many school divisions in Winnipeg/Manitoba

Dean strives to instill the importance of dancing into newer generations to keep this important cultural art alive and strong.

Register for the Jig ‘n’ Time workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 15 by emailing Terri-Lynn at tlanderson@rrc.ca.

Join us for a Beading Workshop with Jennine Krauchi in the Indigenous Support Centre F209 at NDC on Tuesday, February 14^th from 4:30pm to 7:30pm.

Jennine Krauchi is a Métis beadwork artist and designer. She produces clothing and creates replicas for organizations like the Manitoba Museum, Parks Canada, The Canadian Museum of History, The Canadian Museum for Human Rights and many more around the world, including those in places like Scotland, France and the USA.

Jennine teaches beadwork, quillwork and moccasin and mukluk making.  She teaches in schools and at festivals throughout Canada, and has had the opportunity to teach in Europe.

Most recently, Jennine participated in two exhibits: A Hard Birth at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and Radical Stitch at the MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina.

Register for the Beading Workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 14 by emailing Terri-Lynn at tlanderson@rrc.ca.

Kick off the Louis Riel Day celebrations with us on Monday, February 13^th at 11am in the South Gym at NDC with a gallery presented by the Manitoba Métis Federation. Students and staff are invited to enter a draw for a free bus pass for March and other goodies!

We’re pleased to welcome the Minister of Education and Co-Minister of Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Strategy Agreement, Joan Ledoux, to give a keynote. Joan Ledoux is a cabinet member of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) for The Pas region and the Chair of the Louis Riel Institute (LRI).

Like everyone else, life’s path has taken me down the road of trials, tribulations, hardships, and successes, but through these lived experiences, I have gained the ability, skills, and knowledge to be effective and efficient in sharing what I have to offer you.

 It has made me who I am today. I am honored to serve as the voice of our Métis Government of Manitoba.

Joan Ledoux

Joan has been part of the MMF Cabinet for three terms. Prior to being elected, she served on numerous boards within the MMF and as Chair for three other organizations over 15 years: the Flin Flon Local, the Flin Flon Indian & Métis Friendship Centre, and the Provincial Management Board.

She was born in Winnipegosis and grew up in Camperville. Joan graduated from Brandon University with a Bachelor of Education, after which she found employment with the federal and provincial governments for the past 26 years. She retired from Manitoba Hydro in 2012 and now dedicates her time to working for the National Government of the Red River Métis.

Métis citizens have always played a pivotal role in their families and communities, providing important insight with their lived experiences to inform priority areas like education and employment, and Joan’s goal is to serve and be accountable to the Métis people. She is a proud and passionate Métis woman.

For the past ten years, Joan has been writing bits and pieces of her memoir which she dedicates to her children and family. She will continue to use every opportunity to showcase her Métis culture & history and work toward the vision of the Métis Nation.

Through her work, Joan has a broadened understanding of what reconciliation means to the Métis people and for the future of Canada, as we continue to build our leadership, partnerships, and relationships together, nation to nation.

No registration required to attend.

January has ended, the bundles have rested, and Sweat Lodges will resume for the new year.

Join us for Sweat Lodges in the Medicine Wheel Garden with Elder Paul Guimond.

Students are welcome to join us on the following Fridays:

• March 3
• March 24
• May 26

And staff are welcome on these Fridays:

• February 10
• April 14

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 to our blog for reminders of upcoming Sweats!

Sweat Lodge Ceremonies are a way to heal oneself and connect with all four parts of the self: the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Limit of 20 participants per Lodge. Register now! 

Join us to celebrate Louis Riel Day and Métis culture with a week of activities leading up to Monday, February 20! Learn to bead and jig while experiencing Métis art forms in collage and fiddling!

Notre Dame Campus

• Monday February 13^th, South Gym, 11am – 2pm
  Manitoba Métis Federation gallery with keynote from the Minister of Provincial Education and Métis Employment & Training (MET) Joan Ledoux
• Tuesday February 14^th, F209, 4:30pm – 7:30pm
  Beading Workshop with Métis artist Jennine Krauchi
• Wednesday February 15^th, F209, 5pm – 8pm
  Jigging Workshop with Dean Davis from the Métis Club Traditional Dancers

Exchange District Campus

• Thursday February 16^th, Manitou a bi Bii Daziigae, E235, 4:30pm – 6pm
  Louis Riel Collage Workshop facilitated by the Louis Riel Institute
• Friday February 17^th, Roblin Centre in the Atrium, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
  Fiddle and guitar performance by Jason Lepine and Ben Page with tea and Bannock
• Monday, February 20^th: Louis Riel Day
  RRC Polytech campuses closed

Please email Terri-Lynn Anderson at tlanderson@rrc.ca to register for the workshops on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Subscribe here for up-to-date information!

Are you looking for new ways to engage your body? Join Indigenous Yoga instructor Dawn Chartrand for an evening of Yoga with an Indigenous infusion! Her practice focuses on introducing Indigenous people to healing and wellness through art and Yoga.

Dawn Marie Chartrand is a visual artist, musical entertainer, and yoga instructor.  She is a proud wife, mom of 4 and grandmother of 9, and is a member of Rolling River First Nation in Manitoba.

Dawn started painting in 2017 and was immediately drawn to creating Indigenous themed art. Dawn considers painting to be a very special form of wellness and self-care, and she has sold many of her paintings throughout Canada. Dawn offers painting and wellness workshops as a means of introducing others to the healing properties of creating art.

After 10 years of practicing yoga and driven by the low representation of Indigenous people in mainstream yoga classes, Dawn studied to become a yoga instructor and completed her training in May 2022. She has now launched her own yoga business, “OM-Digenous Yoga & Wellness”, and teaches several yoga classes per week with special focus on drawing Indigenous participants. Dawn’s intention is to create a safe and accessible environment where Indigenous people can feel welcome to participate, learn, and benefit from regular yoga practice.

When: February 2^nd, from 6:00pm -8:00pm

Where: Manitou a bi Bii daziigae (319 Elgin Ave), The Roundhouse Auditorium (E240)

All attendees can register by emailing Terri-Lynn Anderson at tlanderson@rrc.ca. Register now – space is limited!

With over 30 employers with job openings, we encourage all Indigenous students from around the College to attend! Bring your resume and check out the booths!

Click here to see the list of job openings with each employer.

The Indigenous Career Fair will be open from 11am to 4pm, with a Panel Discussion at 12pm in the Roundhouse Auditorium and a lunch at 1pm. See the programming post for more details.

See you there!

Join us for a Panel Discussion at noon during the Indigenous Career Fair on Wednesday, January 18th! In the Roundhouse Auditorium at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, panelists, guided by our student hosts, will discuss what you can expect when you enter the workforce from their perspectives in different industries across Winnipeg. RRC Polytech partnered with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce to make this event possible.

Panel Members

Brikena Dibra • Registered Nurse

Brikena is a Registered Nurse from Peguis, Manitoba. She is a College Transition alumna and graduated from RRC Polytech’s Nursing Program in 2021

Her grandparents raised her because of the hardships her parents endured due to intergenerational trauma. Brikena faced many tough roads on her journey to becoming a nurse, but found a meaningful place for herself at the College through the Indigenous Support Centre.

Brikena is now a Community Health Nurse with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and the Manitoba Métis Federation. In the community, she helps to promote the health of the most vulnerable populations in Winnipeg and the Interlake.

“As a community health nurse, I try to think back to my roots. When working with our people, as an Indigenous person, I remember the teachings from my grandparents and Elders: to care for people the way I would want my family treated, and to promote health to all in a holistic manner. “

Brikena Dibra

Miranda Harper • Commercial Cash Management Manager

Miranda graduated from the College Prep for Aboriginal Students, now College Transition, with honors in the early 2000’s. She works as a Commercial Cash Management Manager with the First Nations Bank of Canada. She is responsible for the bank’s commercial business products and services all across Canada.

Miranda is a musician and when she’s not managing the First Nations Bank of Canada’s commercial cash, she sings and plays drums in an all-female band.

Theressa Thompson • Educational Assistant

Born and raised in Winnipeg, MB., Theressa is a member of Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation in Treaty 1 Territory.

Theressa is a College Transition (formerly APCET) graduate and interned for the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce for a few consecutive summers. She is currently working as an Educational Assistant at Gordon Bell High School as part of the Winnipeg School Division. This is her fourth year as an EA.

She’s working towards her teaching degree and is a third-year student in the Community Aboriginal Teacher Education Program at the University of Winnipeg. She aims to have her Bachelor of Arts in English by the end of this academic year (fingers crossed!). Theressa enjoys film, music, snacking, and spending quality time with her two children, Adelaide and Scotty, and her husband Andreas when not in work- or student-mode.

Renata Meconse • Board Member

Renata is a proud Anishinaabe Ikwe who lives in Winnipeg and is from Pinaymootang First Nation in Treaty 2 Territory. She has focused her career on communications primarily with the Indigenous community in Manitoba. She has worked with a number of Indigenous organizations in Manitoba, provincial and federal governments and the private sector.

As an artist and entrepreneur, Renata and her business partner have planned several Indigenous Arts Markets in Winnipeg since 2018. Their goal is to build economic opportunities for local Indigenous artisans and small businesses by providing culturally-safe and welcoming spaces where customers can also shop local and Indigenous!

Renata is a board member of the MB Indigenous Chamber of Commerce and is a Creative Communications graduate from RRC Polytech. She credits the great career opportunities she’s had to her education at RRC Polytech and the time she invested in herself and her professional development.

Student Hosts

Jo-Ann Johnson • Tour Guide for Notre Dame Campus

Jo-Ann is a Métis student in her second year of Community Development. She’s passionate about education and tourism to promote Truth and Reconciliation.

When Jo-Ann isn’t on campus studying, you will find her on a geocaching adventure or singing karaoke with friends.

We can’t wait to see you at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae on Wednesday the 18^th! To pre-register and be entered to win a $50.00 SkipTheDishes gift card, visit the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce’s website.

For more information about the Indigenous Career Fair programming and employer booths, check out this blog post! If you want some tips and advice to prepare, check out this post!

Join us for a meet-and-greet with Knowledge Keeper Richard Curé! Grab a coffee, introduce yourself, and have a chat any time between 11am and 1pm in F205 on Friday Jan. 20 for NDC and in P407 on Thursday Jan. 26 at EDC! Read more about Richard and his role as a Knowledge Keeper here!