Near-million-dollar gift will increase supports and reduce barriers for hundreds of Indigenous learners

For immediate release: June 11, 2024

Winnipeg, MB on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis – A new gift from IG Wealth Management (IG Wealth) to Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) will reduce barriers and provide integral support to hundreds of Indigenous students at RRC Polytech.

The $900,000 gift through the IG Wealth Management Empower Your Tomorrow program will fund the creation of the IG Empower Navigation Coach and the new IG Empower Scholarship and Career Development Program at the College. The addition of this program, powered by IG Wealth, will provide integral support and allow students to learn in collaborative environments, gain leadership, confidence, academic and employment skills, including opportunities to learn and work at IG Wealth, while easing the financial burden.

“RRC Polytech continues to establish vital partnerships to support pathways to education and to reduce barriers for Indigenous learners,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech. “Today’s support from IG Wealth will enable us to build on our success and expand that work to create strong pathways for Indigenous students to become successful graduates and leaders poised to excel in their chosen careers.”

“IG’s presence in Winnipeg spans almost a century and from day one we’ve made it a priority to be actively engaged in the local community,” said Damon Murchison, President and CEO, IG Wealth Management. “Working with RRC Polytech, we can enhance education and career path development to build financial well-being among Winnipeg’s Indigenous youth. As I look to the future, I’m energized by the impact we can make by coming together to better support students across the city.”

Manitoba is home to the highest percentage of Indigenous peoples in Canada. A significant – and growing – population of Indigenous learners in Manitoba choose RRC Polytech for their post-secondary education.

IG Wealth’s support is helping move RRC Polytech’s commitments to Truth and Reconciliation and the pursuit of equity, diversity, and inclusion forward. The program will enhance the student experience by providing tools and support to help students as they navigate their education and take important steps to start their careers.

The gift supports RRC Polytech’s In Front of What’s Ahead Comprehensive Campaign, the single largest fundraising campaign in the College’s history.

To learn more about the announcement, view IG Wealth Management’s latest news release.

On April 11, 130 Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) students took part in the Skills Canada Manitoba Provincial competition, now 18 of those students are competing at the two-day 2024 Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) in Québec City. 

All students competing over the next two days were awarded gold medals at the provincial competition and are now showcasing their talents on a national stage. They are 18 of more than 550 competitors in various skilled trades events. 

Help congratulate them on making it to the national competition and root for them as they bring all their hard work and training to the Centre de foires d’ExpoCité floor. RRC Polytech wishes them all success in their respective competitions as they strive for a spot on the podium!  

The national competition runs May 30 and 31 and will be livestreamed through the Skills Canada YouTube channel for anyone who wants to check out the action and cheer for our students as they compete. 

As of today, Menstrual Health Day, menstrual products, including tampons and pads, will now be available at no cost in all washrooms at Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) campuses as a part of the College’s commitment to creating inclusive and welcoming spaces on campus and removing barriers to learning that students and staff may face.

Products have previously been available through the Student’s Association and Health Centres on campus however this is an additional step that will ensure more equitable access to all students and staff on all campuses. Beginning this week the products will be available in all washrooms, so all students and staff have access to them regardless of gender.

“Access to menstrual products is a barrier that students and staff on campus will no longer have to face,” said Melanie Gudmundson, Chief Human Resource Officer, RRC Polytech. “Menstrual products are as necessary as other washroom products. Reducing barriers and easing access for our community is another important step in supporting an inclusive campus.”

While this initiative is something RRC Polytech had already been working towards, the vision of students in the 2022 Public Relations Major of the Creative Communications program further inspired this initiative as part of a class project.

“Our all-female class immediately understood the impact of free menstrual products – it’s just another thing you have to think about on top of everything else a college student has to face and manage daily,” said student lead on the project and 2022 Creative Communications graduate, and Team Lead of Chamber Engagement at Johnston Group, Georgia Dalke.

“It is important that everyone, whether they menstruate or not, understands what it means for RRC Polytech to stand behind its students with a program like this. Menstruating is not something you should hide or be ashamed of – it’s is a normal bodily function and shouldn’t impede your ability to get an education.”

Robin Ringland, another student who worked on the project, then came to RRC Polytech for her work placement in 2022 where she continued to work on this initiative. She is now a full time Communications Officer for the School of Indigenous Education. Part of the information she gathered includes that menstruating students will get approximately eight periods in an eight-month school year. In a two-year program, students will experience 16 periods while at school or 32 periods in a four-year program.

For those who require menstrual products, it can be expensive and interruptive to their class time if products are not easy to access when they need them. A recent Leger report, shows that one in four Canadian women have had to choose between purchasing menstrual products or other essentials. The same report notes that “menstrual stigma and access barriers can hinder education, employment and mental health.”

“It is important that all staff and students feel comfortable on our campuses. Access to menstrual products will help give students the peace of mind that what they need will be available where and when they need it so they can focus on their courses and not have to miss important class time,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech. “We hope to improve access and ease the financial burden for menstruating staff and students by having the products available in all washrooms. Having menstrual products available and visible in all washrooms is the right thing to do to ensure an equitable experience for all.”

RRC Polytech is committed to upholding fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. Menstrual health is an important part of life for many students and staff and can create a barrier that RRC Polytech aims to help alleviate.

Last month, the first cohort of students in Hollow Water (Waanibiigaaw) First Nation’s Educational Assistant certificate program gathered alongside their instructor and family members with a ceremony and feast to celebrate their graduation.

The community centered celebration allowed them to share their accomplishments with their loved ones and community members. The graduates were gifted materials from their community to create their own ribbon skirts to wear to the ceremony.

Instructor Patricia Stouffer says it was important to the grads that they had a ceremony, not just for themselves but so younger people could see the accomplishments that are possible for them in their community.

Hollow Water First Nation is located on the eastern shore of Lake Winnipeg, over 200 km northeast of Winnipeg. The community of Hollow Water is a tightknit and welcoming one and staying close to home was a crucial element of the success of this program according to Patricia.

“One of the biggest things is having support from home and not experiencing culture-shock. It’s hard enough to transition into education and having this opportunity right in community opened doors for the students who were a part of this program. Being in their community allowed them to keep their values and connection to family alive and well throughout their education and get the support that only being close to home can provide.”

Chloe Seymour is one of the eight graduating students and is already working right in her community at Wanipigow School. She said it felt nice to be recognized at the ceremony and for their community to see their hard work in the program – echoing Patricia’s sentiment that access to education in her community was crucial.

Chloe had two part-time jobs while in the program, jobs she would’ve had to quit if she had needed to travel to another part of the province to complete the program. It was also important to her that she could set an example for kids in Hollow Water.

“I’m glad I got to show youth in my community that they don’t have to leave their home to continue their education, and that they can be successful just like I was.”

Delivering programs like the Educational Assistant certificate program in Hollow Water is one way that RRC Polytech addresses the needs of the communities it serves, while also committing to the College’s responsibility to Truth and Reconciliation.

This program is a step to ensure equitable education opportunities throughout Manitoba and was designed to remove barriers to students who would not have otherwise had the opportunity for education outside of their community. By providing communities with access to post-secondary education, RRC Polytech aims to close gaps in our educational system and create a more equitable environment between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

Please be advised that starting on Monday, May 27, 2024, Facility Management will be conducting repairs and updates to the bus loop at the Notre Dame Campus. The bus loop entrance will re-open at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 3, 2024.

During the closure, please access the South lot via Entrance 2 off of Notre Dame Avenue. Please check the Marcom blog for the latest news on the bus loop closure. Facilities will also be putting up large signs at Entrance 2 to assist parkers looking to access the South lot. 

View the map of alternate routes.

Please take care when entering campus, avoiding the active construction site, and adhering to all signage and barriers. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact facilitymanagement@rrc.ca.

Manitoba Egg Farmers (MEF) will be promoting the benefits of eggs and egg products and celebrating their partnership with RRC Polytech on Tuesday, May 21, by giving away 1000 free egg sandwiches and coffee in Old Market Square. 

Culinary Arts students will once again be demonstrating their talents and gaining valuable experience by preparing the sandwiches fresh onsite at the Paterson Globalfoods Institute (PGI) on the Exchange District Campus.

“Eggs are versatile, nutritious and an essential ingredient for most chefs on a daily basis, so it’s critical that these industry leaders of tomorrow learn how to cook eggs well and truly understand the benefits of eggs and egg products,” said Lylah Erkau, Chair of Baking and Culinary Arts at RRC Polytech. “Our partnership with Manitoba Egg Farmers provides students with added expertise in the classroom as they learn the fundamental role farmers play in feeding our community and growing our economy. This event brings us all together to share that important message with the public and allow the students to hone their skills.”        

Chef Terry Gereta, an instructor from RRC Polytech’s Culinary Arts program has sourced local ingredients for these delicious egg sandwiches, including Bothwell Cheese, a fan favourite! He will oversee the kitchen as students get their first taste of a fast-paced breakfast service.

“Cooking one thousand egg sandwiches, in just a few hours, is an amazing experiential learning opportunity for students in our short-order class who must work as a team to plan, prepare and deliver a massive amount of food under the very real pressure of a tight timeline,” said Chef Gereta. “In addition to improving the skills and knowledge required to work in a commercial kitchen, they are also building confidence that will serve them well throughout the rest of their studies and their careers.”  

Meet local egg farmers, ask them how eggs are produced and learn about the journey from their farms to your fridge at home. Attendees can take home MEF-branded swag, including whisks, fried egg pins and cookbooks.

“We’re egg farmers and we love what we do – this annual egg sandwich giveaway is a part of loving what we do,” said MEF Chair Catherine Kroeker-Klassen. “Every day, Manitoba’s 150 egg farmers care for the hens that help feed our province. It’s a pleasure to share what we do on-farm to get those marvelous eggs from our barn to your table. Giving away a delicious, protein-packed egg sandwich is part of sharing our love and life with fellow Manitobans.”

Start your day with a hot coffee and delicious egg sandwich while supplies last! 

• Tuesday, May 21, 2024
• 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
• Old Market Square at the corner of King St. and Bannatyne Ave.

We’re providing an update and clarity around the campus alert just issued, and to advise the college regarding a Manitoba Hydro Issue in Winnipeg’s Exchange District.

First, please disregard the alert. There are no issues at the Notre Dame Campus and we are operating normally. 

A system error in our campus alerting system generated the announcement and it was sent in error. 

We apologize for any stress or confusion that resulted from this system issue. 

Manitoba Hydro Issue in the Exchange District 

Manitoba Hydro is responding to an underground equipment fire that is impacting power in the downtown area. At this time there is no impact to business operations and we will keep you updated as needed.

Winnipeg, MB on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis – A $500,000 donation from the Canerector Foundation is helping more young women and girls in Manitoba try their hand in skilled trades, while also providing support for current Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech)’s students in their journey to a career in skilled trades and technologies.

A portion of the gift funds the Girls Exploring Trades and Technology (GETT) Camp – a summer program at RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus that gives young women and girls between the ages of 12 and 14 first-hand experience with a variety of skilled trades at no cost to them or their families. This camp has been so successful that shortly after it was announced for 2024 all the spots were filled. The Canerector Foundation’s support ensures this camp will allow the program to continue and provide learning opportunities for young women in Manitoba for years to come.

“We’ve been working to increase representation in the trades by creating more opportunities for women and equity deserving groups who might not have considered a career in the trades. A big part of this is creating safe spaces for them to explore and learn,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech. “Through the Canerector Foundation’s support of the GETT Camp, we create even more opportunities for young women to get inspired and curious about skilled trades in a safe and fun learning environment.”

The gift also funds the Canerector Foundation Scholarship in the Skilled Trades.  These support students enrolled in one of 14 diploma and certificate programs in the School of Skilled Trades and Technologies. Recipients are selected based on their demonstrated commitment to community involvement and active engagement in mentorship activities. The first round of scholarships is scheduled to be given in the fall of 2024 and supports up to 27 recipients annually.

“Skilled trades are the backbone of our economy and provide a lot of value to our communities,” said Amanda Hawkins, Director of the Canerector Foundation. “Canerector was founded and built by tradespeople and hopes to bring attention to the wide variety of careers that begin with a skilled trades education. We are happy to see RRC Polytech’s focus on strategic workforce development and are excited to be a part of it.”

The next GETT Camp runs in July 2024 and the first Canerector Foundation awards are scheduled to be given this fall.

More about the funding announcement: Canerector Foundation Supports Trades Success with Half Million Dollar Gift : RRC Polytech: Donor Community

More about the GETT Camp: Girls Exploring Trades and Technology : Red River College Polytechnic: Youth Initiatives (rrc.ca)

For immediate release: May 7, 2024

Sophie Walker, a Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) nursing student has received a $30,000 grant from the inaugural Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2) and Wawanesa Climate Champions: Youth Innovation Grant for her project, Climate Resilient Nursing.

“As a founding member of Canadian Colleges for Resilient Recovery, RRC Polytech has made a commitment to preparing students to use the skills they’ve learned and make real-world impacts,” said Dr. Christine Watson, Vice President, Academic, RRC Polytech and Co-Chair of the C2R2 Steering Committee. “As a leading post-secondary institution, we play a vital role in advancing sustainability through our academic programs and applied research. Sophie’s project is an exciting reminder of how our students can help us move toward a more sustainable future. We are also very pleased that a Winnipeg-based organization such as Wawanesa has provided such a unique investment to support students’ research to positively impact climate action.” 

Sophie’s Climate Resilient Nursing project aims to address nursing professionals’ lack of capacity to address climate change related health care system vulnerabilities and resilience. The project will increase climate awareness among nurses, help nursing students develop practical skills to become more climate conscious in their future careers and create a comprehensive resource guide for future students and instructors at RRC Polytech.

“I am very grateful to receive this grant and excited to dive deeper into the research! I have been interested in research since my first year in nursing school back in late 2019 and in the last three weeks I’ve had incredible support from my instructors and researchers at RRC Polytech in finding an idea and creating the proposal,” said Sophie. “Receiving this grant means I can help to make a difference and leave a lasting change. It will also help me gain valuable experience for my future career.”

Sophie worked with her instructors in the Nursing program and Research, Partnerships & Innovation team at RRC Polytech on the project, which was inspired by one of Sophie’s instructors, Jennifer Morin, who Sophie says is passionate about the subject and has a wealth of knowledge that helped her with the application.

Sophie is one of five Youth Innovation Grant recipients. Each grant is given to a student from a C2R2 partner institution to launch or enhance a climate adaptation or climate mitigation project. RRC Polytech is one of the founding partners of C2R2 and currently offers six micro-credential courses aimed at clean tech and social innovation.

“C2R2 is proud to support the empowerment of youth leaders in their efforts to drive impactful change that centers on climate change adaptation and mitigation,” said Adrienne Madden, Coalition Manager, C2R2. “RRC Polytech is among our esteemed partner institutions amplifying C2R2’s collective efforts, and we were excited to see such a strong project led by them for this inaugural Wawanesa Climate Champions: Youth Innovation Grant. We are eager to see the impact that Sophie’s project will have in Winnipeg, and more broadly within the nursing community.”

Sophie’s contributions to her community don’t end here. She was also recently in the news for her generous creation of the Journey Award for nurses to support other nursing students who have faced formidable challenges in their academic journey as she did.

For more information about the awards: The Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery and Wawanesa Insurance Youth Innovation Grants announcement

Marjoie Gibas and Trevor Walld are just two of the RRC Polytech students who took home medals in their competitions.

Over 450 students from schools across the province, including 130 Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) students, took part in this year’s Skills Manitoba Provincial Competition on April 11.

Students competed in over 40 skilled trades and technology categories across six industry sectors. Many of the competitions were hosted at RRC Polytech campuses with others being held at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology and Sisler High School.

The Skills Manitoba Competition challenges students to test the skills they’ve learned in their chosen trades and technology programs in a series of hands-on challenges. The competitions were supported by over 300 volunteers.

In this year’s competitions, 51 RRC Polytech students won medals – 18 gold, 18 silver and 15 bronze. Students took home all the medals in 12 categories including CNC Machining, Carpentry, and Mechanical Engineering – a testament to their hard work and talents.

Among the winning students are Trevor Walld and Marjorie Gibas who respectively took home the gold and silver medals in the Post-Secondary Cooking Competition.

“The success of our students this year represents all of the effort they’ve put into their programs,” says Derek Kochenash, Dean, Skilled Trades and Technologies. “It is also a testament to the benefit of the knowledge-based learning with applied, hands-on experience and opportunities students get at RRC Polytech.”

All gold-medal winning students now have the chance to compete at the Skills Canada National Competition in Québec City, May 28- June 2, 2024, as a part of Team Manitoba where they will come head-to-head with winners from other provinces.

All gold-medal winning students now have the chance to compete at the Skills Canada National Competition in Québec City, May 28- June 2, 2024, as a part of Team Manitoba where they will come head-to-head with winners from other provinces.

“It is incredible to see the talents of Manitoba’s future skilled workforce,” says Maria Pacella, Executive Director, Skills Canada Manitoba. “Skills Canada Manitoba is working to change the perception of skilled trades and emerging technologies. We hold these competitions to encourage students and see them put their skills to the test. Each year we are impressed with what they accomplish.”

RRC Polytech has been a proud partner of the Skills Manitoba Competition since it first began 26 years ago and has a long history with skilled trades and technologies. What began as a one-room workshop on Henry Avenue in 1938 has since grown into one of the province’s largest institutes of applied learning – and Manitoba’s only polytechnic. RRC Polytech proudly celebrates these roots and continues to put trades and technology programs on display.

As Manitoba’s only polytechnic, RRC Polytech has a proven track record of success in training an innovative skilled trades workforce. Its Skilled Trades and Technology Centre (STTC) is a state-of-the-art, 104,000-square foot complex that houses labs, shop space and classrooms for up to 1,000 students per year in high-demand trades and technologies.

The STTC also supports technology and innovation in robotics and automation, hydraulics and pneumatics, materials, electronics, and computer aided design, and houses the Innovation Lab for applied research initiatives, and industry and student projects, as well as the Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics which was designed to tackle the primary challenges facing Manitoba’s manufacturing sector.

Results of the 2024 competition has been posted to the Skills Canada Manitoba website.