At Red River College Polytechnic, we are dedicated to providing a respectful atmosphere that is diverse, inclusive and equitable to our students, staff and external partners. Our diversity is our greatest strengths and our goal is to provide a barrier free environment for individuals to succeed in their academic, employment and research goals. Reconciliation is just one piece of the puzzle.

Learn more about Diversity on Campus ›

Red River College Polytechnic is committed to ensuring that First Nations, Métis and Inuit knowledge, cultures and traditions are embraced and reflected in the pursuit of its mission.

An acknowledgement of these lands that we are on today, and of the Red River College Polytechnic commitment to Indigenous peoples and communities, now form part of the foundational statements that define Red River College Polytechnic.

Red River College Polytechnic campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.

Red River College Polytechnic is committed to a renewed relationship and dialogue with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples based on the principles of mutual trust, respect, and reciprocity.

We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.

Truth and Reconciliation is a term that is used all over the world to describe the two-pronged approach to respond to the lasting impacts colonization has had on Indigenous Peoples. First to educate society on the truth of the past and present, and secondly, to make the societal, economic and structural changes required to move forward in a way that is mutually beneficial to all peoples.

The truth telling and reconciliation process began in Canada as a response to the Canadian Indian Residential School System legacy initiated by the Canadian government. The Canadian government formed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in June 2008 with a mandate to inform all Canadians about what happened in Indian Residential Schools that many Canadians do not know. The Commission documented statements from student survivors, families, and communities. The most significant result was the publishing of the TRC reports and the 94 Calls to Action. These Calls address all areas of Canadian life. Some of themes these Calls fall under include education, child welfare, language and culture, health, justice, media, sport and recreation, business reconciliation, newcomers to Canada, and many more.

Most education institutes are committed to ensuring their students, staff and faculty understand Truth and Reconciliation, the impacts, the reasons why and what can be done going forward.

Reconciliation is about restoring balance, and respectfully forming and renewing relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. In order to move forward and reconcile, we must also understand the truth about Canada’s past and present, and the colonial policies that were and still are in place today.

Canada’s relationship with Indigenous people has suffered as a result of the Canadian Indian Residential School System and the colonial policies the government created. These policies and the intergenerational impacts on Residential School survivors and their communities continue to affect quality of life and prevent Indigenous peoples from equitably participating in equal opportunities compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts.

Healing and repairing this relationship will require education, awareness, and increased understanding of the legacy and the impacts that involve all Canadians.

Manitoba has the highest percentage of Indigenous peoples in Canada, almost 17% of the provincial population. At present, 38% of Manitoba’s Indigenous people aged 25–34 years do not hold a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree.

RRC Polytech has a significant and growing Indigenous student body and it is important to be proactive in taking steps to ensure student success and to address historic barriers.

Reconciliation is an ongoing individual and collective process, and requires commitment from all Canadians. A key priority for the College is to strengthen our partnerships and continue to advance Indigenous achievement. This priority demonstrates a commitment to the future of its students, all staff and the community it resides in.

RRC Polytech began offering the Blanket Exercise for staff to learn more about Canada’s history and Indigenous culture. The full-day workshop is named for the blankets participants walk on that represent Turtle Island (North America).

During the exercise, participants role-play as Indigenous peoples as they are guided through a simulation of the colonization of Canada. It begins with what Indigenous worldviews are and what life and governance looked like before European contact. It takes you through the first treaties, laws and policies that were enacted, the Canadian Residential School System, the Sixties Scoop, all the way up to current issues. The exercise is designed to not only share information and key events, but in a way that is safe, supportive and non-judgmental.

Elders are an essential part of the exercise as they start the day off in a good way, share Teachings, and contribute to creating a safe environment. Every offering of the Blanket Exercise will be a little different as the College has a number of facilitators and lead Indigenous facilitators, all of who will bring their own Teachings and different life experiences to the day, which is fitting as no Indigenous community is the same.

This exercise is on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic and will resume when it is safe for staff to gather.

4 Seasons of Reconciliation is a new professional development e –modular training program offered as part of the College’s commitment to embed Truth and Reconciliation education. This multi-media PD initiative has been developed for post-secondary workplaces through collaboration and co-creation with the First Nations University of Canada, its Indigenous Advisory Circle, and Indigenous contributors.

The training program creates an understanding on the history of colonization in Canada and how it impacts current issues and Indigenous Peoples today through engaging slideshows, short videos, documentary films, and mini quizzes. 4 Seasons provides the knowledge required for informed, respectful and effective engagement in the classroom and workplace. This knowledge helps combat personal biases and preconceptions about Indigenous people. Only through education can we build a stronger future for all Canadians. Staff can click here to learn more and start the program >

Red River College Polytechnic’s School of Indigenous Education partnered with the Campus Store to create the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award. The word Mínwastánikéwin is Cree and means ‘to set it right.’ This new award that seeks to advance Indigenous achievement was a grassroots initiative, created by the generous support of the College community during the first Truth and Reconciliation week in 2019. Staff and students purchased specially designed t-shirts at the Campus Store that bring awareness to Indigenous issues and key dates Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness Day.

Students can apply in January for the next award > 

Read about the 2020 recipient ›

Read about the 2021 recipient >

Indigenous Education is stronger at Red River College Polytechnic with the support of our Elders and Knowledge Keepers and through partnerships with the broader Indigenous community. Elders have always held positions of high esteem and importance; they are the living libraries that hold the wisdom, history and cultural knowledge of our Nations. Our Elders-in-Residence are here to support education through Indigenous ways of teaching, learning and leading. They play an important role in student and staff health, wellness, and cultural and spiritual development.

Learn more and meet our Elders ›

Throughout the year, we host various events such as ceremonies, guest speaker presentations, workshops, seasonal solstice and equinox celebrations and we conclude the year with our annual Pow Wow honouring Indigenous graduates.

Truth and Reconciliation Week in the fall is a collaboration with the Students’ Association and begins with Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters (September 30), and closing on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Honouring and Awareness Day (October 4). The week is dedicated to learning about Indigenous culture and history and starting a conversation around Truth and Reconciliation and the 94 Calls to Action. All are welcome to participate in special events and join the conversation.

• Truth and Reconciliation Week 2019
• Truth and Reconciliation Week 2020
• Truth and Reconciliation Week 2021

For the latest news and event, visit rrc.ca/indigenous/news. Stay tuned on TRC Week 2021 as well as other special events, teachings, and guest elders throughout the year by subscribing to our Indigenous Education newsfeed.

Elders-in-Residence program ensures staff and students have access to Elders as well as playing an important role in the College’s senior leadership. Elders-in-Residence offer cultural teaching sessions, one-on-one appointments, classroom visits and lead ceremonies.

RRC Polytech’s Indigenous Student Support Centres, both at the Exchange District and Notre Dame Campuses, are equipped with air exhaust systems so students can smudge. The Indigenous Student Supports and Community Relations department also ensures students have access to the medicines that they need to smudge.

Language is fundamental to culture. The UN declared 2019, the International Year of Indigenous Languages and there concentrated efforts on preserving and revitalizing these languages. Red River College Polytechnic currently offers Indigenous Language programs in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) and Inninew (Cree).