This Friday, June 21, is National Indigenous Peoples Day!

There are many ways to celebrate and learn more about Indigenous culture. To start the day’s festivities, RRC’s Indigenous Student Supports department will give away Tobacco Plants at 10 am at the Ceremonial Grounds at the North West corner of Notre Dame Campus.

Tobacco is one of the most sacred medicines, and students and staff at the College use Tobacco as a gift for Elders or Knowledge Keepers to thank them for their time or teaching, as well as in ceremony. In an effort to be more sustainable, reduce costs, and to re-establish a spiritual relationship with the plant, the departments is growing their first crop of Tobacco in the Green House here at RRC. The plants are now 11 weeks old, and we have plenty to share! Come down, say hi, and get your own Tobacco plant this Friday!

National Indigenous Peoples Day Manitoba Events:

This list may not contain every event happening for National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Learn about Red River College’s Construction and Trades programs and meet with industry representatives from Akman Construction and the Manitoba Construction Sector Council to discuss Winnipeg’s growing construction sector. Akman Construction will present their exciting new Indigenous Employment Strategy.

Red River College students and trades alumni are encouraged to attend.
Please bring your resume and portfolio.

June 17, 2019 | 5 – 8:30PM
160 Princess Street, Exchange District Campus Dining Room – Main Level 

Door prizes available. Refreshments provided.

For more information, please contact Frank Parkes at fparkes@rrc.ca.

Are you thinking about enrolling in one of Red River College’s Indigenous Education programs? You may be eligible to get your books and tuition covered by a RRC Indspire Building Brighter Futures Bursary!

Applications for the Indspire bursary are open until June 15, so don’t wait to apply! Start your education in a supportive environment grounded in Indigenous worldviews.

You can start your Indspire application online at indspire.ca, or contact Frank Parkes, Transition to Employment Manager, at fparkes@rrc.ca or 204.632.2534 to start your bursary application. Bursaries are available on a first qualified, first allocated basis.

For additional program information or to start your College applications, email indigrecruit@rrc.ca or contact our Indigenous Liaison Advisor at 204.632.2483.

Keep reading for available Indigenous Education programs.

NEW: Pathway to Business, Creative Communications and Digital Technology Programs

Explore your options and prepare to select a career path in business, hospitality, communications, marketing, journalism, media production, digital media design and more. Gain the skills to succeed in a supportive and inclusive environment infused with Indigenous culture.

Visit rrc.ca/indigenous/pathway-to-business-creative-communications-digital-technology

Pathway to Engineering Technology Programs

Start your career in engineering today with the Pathway to Engineering Technology Program! This Pathway provides Indigenous Manitobans with preparation for the Civil, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering Technology programs at Red River College, by increasing their academic, personal, social and financial readiness.

Watch program video.

Visit rrc.ca/indigenous/access-pathway-to-engineering-technology

NEW: Indigenous Language – Cree
Learn the fundamentals of reading, writing and speaking Cree through a program grounded in Indigenous worldviews. Help support reconciliation and meet language revitalization needs within Manitoba communities by acquiring the skills to achieve successful employment.

Visit rrc.ca/indigenous/indigenous-language-cree

Social Innovation

How do you want your world to be? Social innovation brings new perspectives to existing ways of decision-making in today’s world. In this program, you will discover the tremendous capacities of communities and individuals looking to initiate systems change. In your second year of studies, specialize in either Community Development or Social Entrepreneurship.

Visit rrc.ca/indigenous/socialinnovation

Learning a new language can be a daunting task, but RRC’s Indigenous Language (Ojibwe) students have found a way to not only make their own learning fun but to share what they’ve learned with others.

During their studies, students Dave Bird, Joy Phillips, Sherri Shorting and Gil Keeper came together to form their own musical group called Nagamoodaa!, which means “Let’s All Sing.” With support and guidance from their instructor Ida Bear, they created their own original children’s songs in Ojibwe – including lyrics, melodies, and accompanying guitar music. Although it was not required as part of their studies, these students felt they needed to record their songs and create a CD entitled Maajii’am (Start Singing).

“We found that it was important to record these songs as they are a fun and entertaining tool in language acquisition,” says Phillips. “Since we are on the journey to relearn the language of our grandparents, which was taken from us, we all felt it was important to do what we can to help in the language revitalization efforts. These songs have helped us learn Ojibwe as we have gone through the process of writing, recording and singing the songs.”

Phillips is an elementary school teacher and she hopes that the CD will be a helpful instructor tool for other language teachers.

“The songs are geared towards kids, because of the content and repetition, but we have found that these work great for any age and beginning level of fluency. Teachers can use the song structures to introduce phrases and conversation patterns, as a lot of the songs have proper grammatical tenses that can be used in everyday conversation.”

Phillips uses the Weather Song as an example.

“This songs talks about the weather for yesterday, today and tomorrow and includes the question and answer in the correct tense.”

Aaniin gaa ezhiwebag bijiinago? / What was the weather yesterday?
Da Gisina na? / Was it cold?

Aaniin wii ezhiwebag waabang? / What will the weather be tomorrow ?
Wii gimiwan na? / Will it rain tomorrow?

CDs can be purchased for $20 by contacting the group via their Facebook page Nagamoodaa – Learning Ojibwe through Song.

Maajii’am (Start Singing) songs include: Asabikeshin (Spider Song), Agindaaso/Awesin (Counting/Animals), Gaagweskaayaq (Seasons Song), Waawaatesi (Firefly Song), Colours Song, Aaniin Ezhiwebag? (What it the weather? / Weather Song), Aande Onjii’an? (Where do you live? / Directions Song), and Nibaa Ni-Abinoonjii (Sleep My Child – Lullaby).

The students would like to give special thanks and appreciation to their language instructor and mentor Ida Bear and Red River College.

For more information on RRC’s Indigenous Language programs, visit rrc.ca/indigenous

At the 19th annual Graduation Pow Wow, Red River College unveiled a new Indigenous graduation stole to recognize the achievements of the College’s Indigenous students. The students were presented with their stoles by RRC’s elders and members of the College’s leadership.

The Graduation Pow Wow has grown by more than 25 per cent from last year and is one of RRC’s largest cultural celebrations.

“Advancing indigenous achievement is a key priority at Red River College, and the College recognizes the important role it plays in supporting reconciliation efforts across the Province,” said Rebecca Chartrand, Executive Director, Indigenous Strategy. “Presenting our students with these beautiful Indigenous stoles will give them a great sense of pride at the Pow Wow and as they walk across the stage at convocation. The Pow Wow is about celebrating our students’ success and this stole an important way of honouring who they are, their culture, and their achievements at the College.”

The stole was designed with symbols to represent The Seven Sacred Teachings, Métis culture, and Inuit culture. In the middle of the stole is the Red River College logo, which rests on the back of the neck. The Assiniboine and Red rivers are also represented throughout the design, which lays on red silk to proudly display the College’s brand colour.

“The Red and Assiniboine rivers are historically and culturally significant to Indigenous peoples; they are the reason so many groups came to reside on the land that Red River College campuses are located on. This geography has informed Indigenous history and is our College’s namesake, so it was really important to incorporate the rivers symbolically into the design,” said Chartrand.

Students who received a stole at the Pow Wow are encouraged to wear their stole at the College-wide Spring 2019 Convocation ceremonies on June 4 and 5, 2019 at the Centennial Concert Hall. The stoles will also be available at convocation for Indigenous students.

Click here for more photos from the 19th annual Graduation Pow Wow. 

As we gain a deeper understanding of the ininīmowin, we find the history, the teachings, and the world view of the inino embedded in the words. As an oral language, this ensures the continuation of the culture from one generation to the next. The Elders are telling us that we can’t just translate our language into English; we have to look more closely in order to better understand our ininīwin. In this session, we will examine concepts of child raising and education based on words in ininīmowin and explain the history and teachings that are contained within each word.

The Culture is in the Language with visiting Cree Elder Ron Cook
April 15, 2019 | 12pm to 1:30pm
Indigenous Support Centre
(F205, Notre Dame Campus)
Lunch will be provided.

About Ron Cook
Ron Cook was a fisherman on Lake Winnipeg for 15 years and lived a traditional lifestyle with his wife and five daughters. In 1992, his interest in his first language (nehinawewin) inspired him to enter BUNTEP when they offered a program for training Native Language teachers, graduating in 1997 with great distinction. He taught Cree at Grand Rapids School for five years before he moved to Thompson to teach at Wapanohk Community School in the Cree bilingual program. He was the Cree Language/Indigenous Perspectives Coordinator for the School District of Mystery Lake from September 2006 until he retired in June 2018. He is currently the consultant for the Centre for Aboriginal Langauge and Culture at the University College of the North.

Red River College’s inaugural Indigenous Culinary Skills program is cooking up opportunities for students and re-opening the doors to the College’s Prairie Lights restaurant at the Notre Dame Campus.

The College’s first-ever pop-up short order restaurant will see this inaugural group of students cooking made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch starting March 12th to April 17th, with a menu featuring a new take on some delicious Indigenous dishes.

“A key priority for the College is to advance Indigenous achievement and elevate student success. Our role as a college is to ensure we create the programs, supports and opportunities that allow Indigenous peoples to demonstrate their leadership and innovation in all facets of our society,” said Rebecca Chartrand, Executive Director, Indigenous Strategy.

The students will operate the restaurant as a real short order kitchen, which won’t only give students practical experience that they can use when they enter the workforce but it will also touch on power skills like team work, communication, time management and problem solving. This initiative demonstrates the College’s commitment to support Indigenous learners on their journey towards education and successful employment as well as growing Indigenous peoples successfully into all industries.

“By offering traditional Indigenous dishes such as bannock tacos and 3-sisters soup, these students will be sharing their culture with the rest of the College and members of the public who come to dine at Prairie Lights. That really fits into the work we are doing with Truth and Reconciliation through celebrating Indigenous culture and advancing Indigenous achievement in our communities. You can really see the sense of pride students have by sharing the food they make that is part of their history.”

The restaurant will also give employment experience to students enrolled in College Transition, a one-year exploratory certificate program. The College has hired these students to run the “front-of-house” operation and as part of their new role also received First-Aid Training and their Food Handler’s certification.

“Red River College is dedicated to finding innovative opportunities to build a better future for students,” says Chartrand. “There is a compelling need for financial assistance for Indigenous students who want to pursue post-secondary education, so we will find solutions and remove barriers to education and employment wherever we can.”

The Prairie Lights restaurant will be open to the public from March 12th to April 17th and offers made-from-scratch breakfast, lunch and daily specials. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday; 9 am to 10:30 am for breakfast, and 11 am to 12:30 for lunch. Seating is limited and is first-come, first-served.

Please join us for Red River College’s Aspiring Indigenous Student Enrolment Fair to learn about exciting new programs, as well as a new award opportunity that could cover the cost of your tuition and books.

Tuesday, March 5 | 1 pm – 7 pm
Notre Dame Campus
Indigenous Support Centre, Building F, 2^nd Floor, Room F209

Red River College, Indigenous Education is pleased to announce the creation of the one million dollar Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships, and Awards in partnership with Indspire. This is our demonstrated commitment to Indigenous Achievement at Red River College and to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action.

The first deadline to apply is March 15, 2019 for programs that start in September of 2019. We encourage aspiring students to apply early as funds will be distributed on a first-come first-serve basis.

Indigenous Education staff will be on site at the Aspiring Indigenous Student Enrolment Fair to answer questions and assist students with the bursary application process. To qualify, students will need to do the following:

1. Complete the on-line bursary application
2. Provide proof of Indigenous ancestry (Status Card, MMF Card)
3. Demonstrate financial need
4. Provide valid social insurance number
5. Provide official high school transcript(s)
6. Must meet admission requirements for their chosen program.

Finally, we are guaranteeing a certain number of seats in the following Indigenous Education Programs. These programs are exploratory, preparatory, transitional or specialized. They are designed to help students who are still uncertain about a career path but have a general understanding of where they might want to end up:

1. ACCESS Pathway to Health Programs (10-month exploratory and preparatory program)
2. ACCESS Pathway to Engineering Technology Programs (10-month)
3. Indigenous Culinary Skills Certificate (10 months)
4. Indigenous Social Enterprise Diploma Program (2 years)
5. Indigenous Language Certificate Program –Ojibwe and Cree (10 months)
6. Introduction to Trades (5-month)
7. College Transition Certificate Program (10 month program)
8. Community Development/Community Economic Development Diploma (2 years)

For more information please contact Wade Parke, Indigenous Education Aspiring Student Manager, at 204-632-2175 or email: wparke@rrc.ca.

For a full list of program options, visit rrc.ca/indigenous

On behalf of the School of Indigenous Education, we are pleased to host the 19th Annual Pow Wow honouring Indigenous graduates on Friday, May 3, 2019 at the Notre Dame Campus (2055 Notre Dame Ave.) in the North Gym.

Pow Wow Schedule – Friday, May 3, 2019

10:00am Pipe Ceremony in the North Gym

12:00pm Grand Entry

2:00pm Honour Indigenous Graduates – gift giving

5:00pm Feast, North Gym

Dancers, drum groups and community members are welcome to attend. Crafters please contact the Pow Wow Coordinator to book a table. Free parking is available in the parking lot labelled West 4 (see map). We hope you will join us in honouring our students as we send them off on a continued journey to success.

Should you have any questions, please contact Morgan Paul at 204-632-3773 or email mpaul50@rrc.ca.

Graduate Registration

Indigenous students who are graduating from a Red River College program in 2019 can register to be honoured at the 19th Annual Pow Wow Honouring Indigenous Graduates on Friday, May 3, 2019.

Please select a valid form

Industry representatives are coming together for a one-day Careers and Education in Cannabis job fair at Red River College’s Notre Dame Campus in the Indigenous Support Centre on Monday, January 14 from 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Following the sold-out inaugural Cannabis 101 Course this fall – the first of its kind to be offered by a post-secondary institution in the province, and one of few available across the prairies – Careers and Education in Cannabis invites alumni, prospective students and those with an interest in the industry to explore career options, submit resumes for retail positions, and apply for bursaries as well as the Winter 2019 Cannabis 101 Course.

“A key priority for the College is to strengthen our partnerships and continue to advance Indigenous achievement in our communities; and within that, one of the main areas of focus in Indigenous Education at Red River is the transition to employment once a student graduates from one of our programs. It’s vital that we provide supports and opportunities that allow our grads to take the next step in their life journey. This day of career exploration is just one example of how we are addressing employment, entrepreneurship and Indigenous growth and participation in the cannabis and hemp industry,” said Rebecca Chartrand, Executive Director, Indigenous Strategy.

Local companies Garden Variety, Tokyo Smoke, and Delta 9 Cannabis will be on site to network, answer questions, and take applications.

RRC continues its relationship with Indspire Brighter Futures, which provided 56 students with bursaries for tuition fees and books in fall 2018. Indspire is a national Indigenous-led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people and are providing 29 bursaries for Indigenous learners for RRC’s Winter 2019 term. The one-stop-shop Careers and Education in Cannabis event will provide access to the computer lab so attendees can apply for bursaries on site and speak with RRC staff.

The courses available for Indspire Bursaries and application deadlines are:
• Intro to Trades – January 20, 2019
• College Transition – January 20, 2019
• Cannabis 101 Course – February 4, 2019
• Indigenous Language Course – March 2019

Careers and Education in Cannabis
Monday, January 14 | 2 pm – 7 pm
Red River College, Notre Dame Campus
Indigenous Support Centre, F205

Refreshments will be served. Please contact Frank Parkes at fparkes@rrc.ca or 204-632-2534 for more information and to reserve parking.

Please note, this event is 19+ due to LGCA regulations.