Pow Wow Pitch, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs, is proud to announce its partnership with Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah as the local presenting partner of the Manito Ahbee Pow Wow Pitch. Mittohnee is providing local Indigenous entrepreneurs with access to funding and resources to help jumpstart their business ideas.

Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah is RRC Polytech’s new Indigenous entrepreneurship acceleration and incubator initiative that is the first of its kind to cultivate a space in Winnipeg for technology, collaboration, and community. Mittohnee helps Indigenous students start their own businesses as they graduate out of RRC Polytech’s entrepreneurship-based Social Innovation and Community Development program. It does so by connecting them with a network of resources and expertise focused on process, people, and leveraging existing capacity.

As the local presenting partner of the Manito Ahbee Pow Wow Pitch, Mittohnee will present the 1st Place Prize of $5,000 to the winning entrepreneur, engage as a final round judge, and provide community mentors to help entrepreneurs refine their pitch.

“This partnership between Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah and Pow Wow Pitch marks a full circle moment for me as both a proud alumna and long-time supporter of Pow Wow Pitch,” said Amy Jackson, Director of Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah. “Pow Wow Pitch’s mission to uplift and champion Indigenous entrepreneurs deeply aligns with Mittohnee’s vision to create space, support, and opportunity for our people to thrive through innovation and business. Together, we’re not just accelerating ideas—we’re building a future grounded in culture, community, and economic empowerment.”

“Collaboration is key to expanding support for Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “We’re excited to be partnering with Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah, led by Pow Wow Pitch alumna Amy Jackson—an inspiring champion for community and Indigenous entrepreneurship. Together, we are strengthening our impact across Manitoba by combining our efforts to provide meaningful support, mentorship, and opportunities for the next generation of Indigenous business leaders.”

By working together, Pow Wow Pitch and Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah are forging a path for Indigenous entrepreneurs to start, excel, and accomplish more for our communities.

About Pow Wow Pitch

Pow Wow Pitch is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and funding early-stage Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island, with the co-presenting support of Mastercard and RBC. Our vision is to create a world where Indigenous entrepreneurs thrive, feeling supported, safe, and encouraged to develop their ideas and build businesses that create a positive cycle of growth. With a mission to provide resources and mentorship, we empower Indigenous entrepreneurs while amplifying their stories to inspire future generations and foster a more inclusive world.

For more information, visit powwowpitch.org.

Over the last few months, the monthly safety updates to the College community have focused mainly on security, however another important initiative at RRC Polytech is the health services we provide to students and staff.

RRC Polytech’s Health Services provides students and staff with a variety of health and wellness information for general interest, ongoing health condition maintenance, plus treatment for injuries and illness.

RRC Polytech has continued to see growth and expansion of the Exchange District Campus with the opening of Manitou a bi Bii daziigae and more students and staff working and learning downtown.

With the increased presence and growing needs downtown, we have recently begun an exciting initiative to bring a health centre to serve the downtown campus community.

This space is currently being renovated at The Roblin Centre and will be open to students or staff to make appointments with members of the Health Services nursing team who will work from this centre.

While the Health Services nursing team currently serves students at EDC through regular meetings downtown, bringing students to the Notre Dame Campus for appointments, or annual events like the flu vaccine clinics, this new space and presence will help ensure the College community can seek health service assistance from the nursing team when they need it.

We look forward to sharing more information about this exciting initiative with the College community once the space is complete and open in the near future.

Please remember the Health Services team is here to help with a number of supports and services to all members of the College community. The Health Centre is open from 8:00am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday and we encourage students or staff to call anytime to speak with nursing staff at RRC Polytech: 204-632-2238 or HealthServices@rrc.ca  

Canadian Public Relations Society of Manitoba (CPRS) awards Emerging Communications Leader and Outstanding Contributions to Truth and Reconciliation and EDIA to College’s comms team.

The Communications and Public Relations team at RRC Polytech was named Manitoba’s Communicators of the Year (MCOY) in two categories by the Canadian Public Relations Society of Manitoba last week. These six individuals were recognized amongst their peers at the annual awards ceremony celebrating excellence in the communications industry in Manitoba. 

Since 2008, CPRS Manitoba Communicators of the Year Awards recognize individuals and organizations whose work in communications has made a significant impact. The College’s Communications Officers took home the hardware in two of six award categories. 

Jenn Pazdor was named Emerging Communications Leader, a category recognizing public relations professionals with up to six years of experience who have demonstrated a strategic mindset and innovative approach above and beyond what is normally expected at the early stages of their career.  

Jenn joined the College as a Communications Officer in March 2024 for a one-year term position. In that time, she led communications efforts for several large-scale events at RRC Polytech, including announcing the College’s largest-ever gift to establish the Schroeder Institute of Entertainment and Media Arts and the grand opening of the Interdisciplinary Health and Community Services Simulation Centre.  

A Creative Communications grad (2019), Jenn is now pursuing a post-graduate diploma in Communications Management while working full-time as a Digital Automation Specialist at RRC Polytech. 

“I am truly honoured to be the recipient of this year’s MCOY Emerging Leader award. I often say the best decision I ever made was coming to RRC Polytech for the Creative Communications program,” said Jenn Pazdor.  

“This award is yet another example of how well the program prepared me with confidence and tools to achieve big things in this profession. Having one of my former instructors – now a valued mentor – present me with the award was a very surreal experience and makes this achievement even more special. I’m deeply grateful for the trust and support I’ve received from the team at RRC Polytech and from all the folks I’ve worked with and learned from in my career so far. Manitoba’s communications industry is truly special to be a part of.” 

Jenn was also recognized for her commitment to continuous learning and staying ahead in the ever-evolving communications landscape. She is also actively involved in Winnipeg’s creative and running communities, as a committee member of CreativeMornings Winnipeg and The Good Way Run.  

In the Team Award Category, five Communications Officers – Robin Ringland, Kevin Olszewski, Laina Hughes, Breanne Lucky, and Lauren Parsons – were awarded for Outstanding Contributions to Truth and Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility. 

They were recognized for their efforts to advance RRC Polytech’s reconciliation and EDIA initiatives through strategic communications, including the pivotal role they play in supporting the College’s strategic plan, “In Front of What’s Ahead,” and advancing its commitment to enact truth and reconciliation, and pursue EDIA in everything we do. 

“This small yet nimble team consistently puts forward new, creative, and strategic ideas to engage the community in our institutional efforts,” said Conor Lloyd, APR, Director, College and Public Relations.  

“Initiatives such as the ‘Not a Grey Area,’ anti-racism campaign, the EDIA calendar working group, the Indigenous style guide, and their efforts to meet and engage with students across the province and share their stories, have significantly enhanced our outreach and engagement, making our commitment to these values more visible and impactful.” 

The team also played a key role in developing the College’s annual Report to the Community, which shares data collected through Key Performance Indicators and highlights the stories of progress towards the college’s commitments. This report is a powerful tool for accountability and transparency, showcasing the college’s achievements and ongoing efforts. 

“Through storytelling, outreach, internal campaigns, and a focus on diverse voices, the Communications team has helped build a culture that truly celebrates and embraces difference. Their efforts have boosted engagement among employees and students, bringing people together through events and initiatives that reflect our commitment to inclusivity,” said Melanie Gudmunson, Chief Human Resource Officer at RRC Polytech in her letter of support. 

“The RRC Polytech Communications team is a great example of how strategic communication can drive meaningful progress. Their innovative and thoughtful approach to reconciliation and EDI sets a benchmark for others to follow.” 

Both nominations were submitted by Emily Doer, Manager of Communications and Public Relations at RRC Polytech. 

RRC Polytech’s goal is to prepare students to become leaders in their fields. Creative Communications and Communications Management grads and staff continue to be recognized for their contributions to the public relations and communications industry. At the 2024 MCOY awards, out of five award categories, four were won by RRC Polytech grads and teams they worked on, and one by a current program chair. 

Learn more about the 2025 MCOY Awards: Past MCOY Award Recipients – Canadian Public Relations Society Manitoba 

RRC Polytech recognizes today, Monday, April 28, 2025, as the National Day of Mourning, where we honour those who have become ill, were injured or killed in the workplace. Today is a reminder to our entire community about the importance of safety in everything we do at the College.   

RRC Polytech will fly our flags at half-mast today in recognition of those affected by workplace tragedy, and our commitment to preventing workplace illnesses, injuries, and fatalities.  

According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, there were 1,057 recorded fatalities at work in 2023, and nearly 215,000 claims for lost time due to a work-related injury or illness in Canada. Among these deaths were 29 young workers aged 15-24. 

Each of these numbers represents a vast network of loved ones who are deeply affected by these tragedies: family, friends, co-workers and community members whose lives are forever changed. 

This is a solemn reminder of the role we all must continue to play in ensuring a safe working and learning environment for everyone who enters our campuses. As a College, we directly impact the practices and behaviours we instill in our students, which they carry forward into their careers and future workplaces.  

RRC Polytech is committed to a proactive approach to safety and to setting an exceptional standard as an educational leader of safety and health. Some of the initiatives RRC Polytech have undertaken to provide all staff and students with a safe and healthy environment include:  

• Security Services – RRC Polytech continues to enhance security measures with the ongoing mission to protect and provide a safe and secure environment for students, staff, and visitors. We have enacted new security measures at EDC and provide regular safety updates to the community, and our Safe Walk and Safe Ride programming provides an average of 180 Safe Rides per day. Learn more on the safety and security section of our website.  

• Campus Alerting and Emergency Response Plan – The Campus Alerting project has been successful in enhancing communications efforts to keeping our College community informed on everything from icy parking lots and sidewalks, to power outages, to an evacuation of an area if necessary. Informacast is a mass notification software that allows RRC Polytech to broadcast alerts in a timely and efficient manner. Alerts will appear through your mobile phones, emails, on-premise devices (office phone or computer), or MS Teams. Staff and students are encouraged to subscribe for updates through the campus alerting system.   

• Machine Guarding Program – RRC Polytech continues to review and update protective guards and equipment on campus. Since the project started, the College has audited more than 800 machines, and made safeguarding upgrades to over 348 pieces of equipment in student labs, workshops, and facility management spaces, ensuring every piece of equipment on campus complies with the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations, and replacing those that don’t.  

On this National Day of Mourning, take a moment to reflect on the importance of workplace safety, and let us honour those who have been affected by workplace-related incidents. We all must work towards a future where everyone can learn and work safely.  

We remember workers who have died, were injured, or became ill from their job. We commit to protecting workers and preventing further workplace tragedies.  

If you have questions or ideas on how we can continue to make RRC Polytech a safe place to work and learn, please reach out to safety@rrc.ca.   

The next generation of skilled professionals are putting their talents on display today as they compete in the 27th Annual Skills Manitoba Competition. 

Approximately 500 young Manitobans will compete in over 40 Olympic-style hands-on contests at the secondary and post-secondary/apprentice level. It’s a showcase of skills in robotics and manufacturing, 3D character computer animation, construction trades, hairstyling, and many more. 

Gold medal winners of many of the competitions will form Team Manitoba and advance to the Skills Canada National Competition in Regina, Saskatchewan May 27-May 31, 2025 

Hosted by Skills Canada Manitoba, this event is designed to provide much needed awareness of Canada’s skilled workforce shortage, while encouraging young people to pursue a career in a trade they enjoy. 

“The skilled trades offer opportunities for positions with great pay, job security and flexibility. There is a continuing significant worker shortage in many of these areas,” said Maria Pacella, Executive Director of Skills Canada Manitoba, “Most people are unaware of the merits of post-secondary training in trades and technology and competitions like this allow students to explore their options and see where something that started as a hobby can be a rewarding career.” 

Skills Canada Manitoba has hosted the annual competition at Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech)’s Notre Dame Campus for 26 years, and for high school competitors it is also an opportunity to meet instructors, see the shop and lab spaces and learn more about post-secondary options. 

“The Skills Manitoba competition is one of the most exciting and energizing days on campus every year,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech. “Our programs provide training for in-demand skills that allow our graduates to have a positive impact on our province’s economy and communities. It’s exciting to walk through the Skilled Trades and Technology Centre and see the incredible talent showcased by our students and competitors from both the high school and post-secondary levels. We’re always proud to watch our students compete, and to welcome the next generation of talent onto campus in hopes we will see them enrolled as students in the near future.” 

The 27^th annual competition will take place today, Thursday, April 10, 2025: 

9:00 am – 2:30 pm 
Red River College Polytechnic, 2055 Notre Dame Ave. 
Operations Room – A137 

Medal Presentations at 3:30 pm in the South Gym 

Annual Young Women’s Conference:
During the competition, 170 young women from junior highs in Manitoba will have the opportunity learn about career options in the trades and technology field at the Young Women’s Conference. Also hosted by Skills Canada Manitoba, this one-day event features entertaining and informative keynote speakers and team activities plus an opportunity to talk to mentors from employers such as Manitoba Hydro, CN and Birchwood. 

Media is invited to learn more about how these young women view their future career opportunities in the trades and technology field on: 

Thursday, April 10, 2025 
9:30 am- 2:30 pm 
Red River College Polytechnic, 2055 Notre Dame Ave. 
Voyageur Cafeteria 

For information contact:  
Maria Pacella, Executive Director 
Skills Canada Manitoba 
204-770-4287 

Outstanding co-op experience at MacDon takes Brandon Doucet to the fields in Australia

It took Mechanical Engineering Technology student Brandon Doucet approximately ten seconds to say ‘yes’ to an opportunity that would take him across the world to Australia for six months.

While on a co-operative work placement with MacDon Industries, Brandon was working on a prototype for a new combine header that was completely new to the agriculture industry. When it came time to test the product in the field, his supervisors noticed the interest he had taken and asked if he would be willing to conduct the testing with Australian farmers.

“It was a big leap, I learned a lot about who I am and what kind of worker I am and what kind of work that I enjoy,” says Brandon, who was 19 years old at the time of his co-op. “All in all I travelled every state and drove more than 30,000 kilometres – on the other side of the road. I got to see a lot of the country and met locals who had so many stories about farming and life.”

The product Brandon was testing is the MacDon FD261 FlexDraper, which is now available publicly to farmers worldwide. The header is 61-feet long, which about ten feet more than the previous FD2 design and about double the length of a standard combine header used to harvest crops. The header also flexes to cover the ground better and produce a better yield.

The six months of field testing entailed working directly with Australian farmers, using their combines with the MacDon prototype header. Brandon would perform regular inspections, maintenance, upgrades, and operation of the prototype equipment in the field. He would also collect data from the hydraulic and electrical systems, which would then be relayed back to the engineering team in Winnipeg for further analysis. 

“I really enjoy all the nitty gritty details of engineering testing, laying out what’s being tested, why it’s being tested and how the improvement can make a better product,” says Brandon. “During this experience I really grew to respect how much documentation plays a role in engineering. Keeping things organized so it can be looked back on after each change, and using what was learned to continuously improve.”

When Brandon first started his co-op with MacDon he had one more term left in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program before graduating. On top of the stint in Australia, he also had the opportunity to work on projects in cities across North America and decided to take a total of 16 months off from the program to gain the real-world experience.

Part of the reason he felt comfortable and confident in that decision was the reassurance from his instructor, Doris Peloquin, that the program would still be there for him to complete. She emphasized that having the diploma completed would help him in his career, but that there is value to taking on practical experiences when they present themselves.

“Co-op or internships give the students the ability to apply what they’ve learned during classwork in a real-world scenario. At RRC Polytech we do a good job of providing hands-on learning scenarios in class but it’s not quite the same experience of what you gain from a real-world experience,” says Doris. “There’s networking and professionalism and learning their soft skills – especially that ability to communicate at different levels; with leaders and those on the shop floor, and interdepartmentally.”

After graduating from RRC Polytech this June, Brandon plans to attend Lakehead University to obtain his Engineering Degree and aspires to work in Motorsport Engineering.

“Before my co-op with MacDon, I remember thinking there’s no way I’d leave Manitoba. But now I know I can always travel, learn from different parts of the world, and then come home with new ideas or ways of doing things,” says Brandon.

For more information about the Mechanical Engineering Technology program visit RRC Polytech’s Program Explorer page.

The following message is from Fred Meier, President and CEO at RRC Polytech:

Since the end of last year, we’ve committed to sharing regular Safety Updates with staff and students to keep everyone informed about safety enhancements and existing services on campus.

Safe Ride and Safe Walk are services familiar to most staff and students. For those who aren’t familiar, the Safe Walk and Safe Ride programs at RRC Polytech provide escorts for students and staff between two points on campus or to nearby locations, ensuring safety and security.

Although I was familiar with Safe Ride, I had never used the service. When invited by Safety, Health, and Security Services for a “ride along,” I seized the opportunity to experience it firsthand.

I headed to the Exchange District Campus (EDC) during peak hours – between 8:00 and 10 a.m. – and buckled up in the passenger seat next to Dilawar (Dil) Singh Randhawa, Security Officer, who drives one of the two Safe Ride vans. The second van was added in fall 2024 to support an average of 180 safe rides each day at EDC.

One of my greatest points of pride is the incredible work that supports our campus community daily. It’s always an eye opening experience to see behind the scenes or a day in the life. As I’ve discovered through experiences like this ride along, there are many hidden heroes who make our campuses better places for all.

While I could write more about my experience, I want to keep this message brief, so you can all take a few minutes to watch the Safe Ride Along video, below.

Thank you to the Security Services team for sharing an inside look at the Safe Ride program, letting me tag along to chat with students and staff about their experiences. And I would be remiss to not acknowledge everyone who took the time to chat with me – both on- and off-camera. I recognize people were likely not expecting a camera crew as a part of their morning commute to campus!

As a reminder, if you need a Safe Ride – or Safe Walk – call Security Services at 204-949-8305 (EDC) or 204-632-2323 (NDC). Services are available from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at EDC and 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at NDC, with evening Safe Rides available upon request. 

Manitoba has been hit by a heavy snowfall overnight that is expected to continue with periods of snow throughout the day. There is also a risk of freezing drizzle early this morning, and the potential of icy road conditions. Please click here for more information on highway closures and road conditions.

Winnipeg campuses remain open and will operate as usual and please use caution while commuting.

RRC Polytech’s regional campuses will be operating as follows:

• Portage Campus is open however classes will move to online delivery.
• Stevenson Southport is open however there are no classes scheduled today.
• Stevenson Winnipeg is open and will maintain regular operations
• Selkirk and Peguis Campuses are closed and classes will move to online delivery.
  • please note the exams will be rescheduled
• Steinbach Campus is open and will maintain regular operations.
• Winkler Campus is open and will maintain regular operations.

For those driving both inside and outside of Winnipeg, please drive with caution and adjust to weather conditions.

If you cannot make it to classes or work safely due to weather conditions, please work with your instructor or supervisor directly.

Any updates to campus operations will be shared here.

Gurman Ubhi has made significant impacts throughout their time at RRC Polytech – for themself, for fellow students, and – through their co-op placement at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) – for the environment. Their commitment to going the extra mile has recently earned Gurman the title of RRC Polytech’s Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Co-op Student of the Year. 

As a student in the Electronic Engineering Technology program, Gurman not only excels academically, but volunteers their time to serve as the Chair of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) student branch at RRC Polytech.  

It was during Gurman’s co-op placement with ECCC where their skills, passion, and initiative truly shone. Gurman worked for the Atmospheric Monitoring Division of the Meteorological Service of Canada, and traveled throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nunavut during their four-month placement. 

This work saw them assisting senior technologists during weather station verification inspections – learning and working on complicated weather station systems that involved high-powered electrical components and complex instrumentation. These are the systems that generate the climate data that the ECCC uses to provide weather forecasts to Canadians across the country. 

“Gurman’s work in assisting the senior technologists during site inspections directly contributed to the safety of the Canadian public,” noted Michael Maurice, Supervisor/Expert Technologist, Monitoring and Data Collection, Prairie Northern Operations – East at ECCC. 

Gurman credited their education at RRC Polytech with preparing them for the complex work at ECCC. 

“One of the most technically challenging yet rewarding aspects of my role was working on radar systems. This included inspections and testing of critical components such as antennas, power delivery systems, and safety equipment,” said Gurman. “These experiences required me to draw upon my coursework in circuits, signal processing, and measurements, demonstrating the real-world applicability of my academic studies.  

“Through these tasks, I developed a strong understanding of high-powered electrical systems and advanced instrumentation, further enhancing my technical expertise and critical thinking skills.” 

On top of their regular duties, Gurman developed and implemented a new online fleet vehicle tracker – a project that was so successful, it was eventually adopted by the division and is still used to this day. 

“Gurman demonstrated outstanding problem-solving skills, adapting to feedback from multiple departments and ultimately delivering a valuable tool that streamlined fleet monitoring,” said Maurice. “This project showcases Gurman’s ability to think beyond assigned tasks and actively contribute to our team’s objectives.” 

Gurman’s contributions during their co-op placement have reinforced ECCC’s commitment to RRC Polytech’s WIL co-op program, as their high performance and proactive approach demonstrates the value of working with emerging talent. 

“Co-operative education has been pivotal in shaping me into a well-rounded professional,” said Gurman. “It has provided me with the skills, experiences, and network to excel in my career while reinforcing the importance of giving back to the student community. This experience has not only prepared me for my future career but has also inspired me to advocate for the expansion of WIL opportunities, ensuring that more students benefit from such transformative learning experiences.” 

Co-operative education plays a vital role in RRC Polytech’s commitment to delivering high-quality education and training. Learn more about Co-operative Education and other types of Work-Integrated Learning at RRC Polytech.   

The full program for the 2025 Polytechnic Showcase, hosted at Red River College Polytechnic from May 13-15, is now available.

Each of Polytechnics Canada’s partner institutions will be presenting sessions with topics ranging from harnessing wearable technology and machine learning to support first responders, to building community as part of campus expansion, bolstering the skilled trades, and empowering innovation through AI and applied research.

RRC Polytech’s session, Indigenous Strategy at Work, will be on May 14 during lunch:

At this insightful panel discussion, RRC Polytech will share how its Indigenous strategy is transforming the institution. Hear from staff leading this work and students who are experiencing changes firsthand as they discuss how new approaches are reshaping learning outcomes, institutional policies and procurement, human resource practices and the student experience. Discover how weaving Indigenous viewpoints and strategy into everything we do creates meaningful change across the polytechnic and adds new dimensions to its culture.

Presenter: Jamie Wilson, Vice President, Indigenous Strategy, Research & Business Development

Click here to see the full schedule and session descriptions

Early bird registration for the 2025 Polytechnic Showcase is available until April 1. Visit Polytechnics Canada’s event page to learn more and to register today.