Today, RRC Polytech and the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) Local 73 celebrated the signing of an agreement that puts change into action to decolonize and enhance equity and inclusion within the Polytech’s Collective Agreement.

This collaboration — the first of its kind — represents a new and transformative approach to advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action within labour relations and the collective bargaining process. What sets it apart is the intentional approach rooted in Indigenous knowledge and ways of being, guided by a Knowledge Keeper and supported by both RRC Polytech and MGEU.

“The signing reflects the collaborative work of RRC Polytech and MGEU to live our shared values, advancing Truth and Reconciliation organizationally and within Manitoba,” says Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech.

“This process stands out across Canada, setting a precedent for other post-secondary institutions by aligning with Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement (TRCE) and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA), honouring Indigenous Knowledge Protocols, and fostering leadership, mentorship and systemic change at the Polytech.”

To review RRC Polytech’s collective agreement, a joint Truth and Reconciliation Working Group was established through an expression of interest, comprised of eight staff and faculty representing both parties.

Guided by Kookum Barbara Bruce’s teachings, ceremony and wisdom, the group ensured the process moved forward in a good way, grounded in Indigenous Knowledge Protocols. Using priority-setting and Design Thinking — a non-linear, iterative process that reflects true Indigenous engagement — the working group developed recommendations under key themes for the collective agreement.

“It was my honour to be asked to bring ceremonial ways to the discussion and deliberation of components of the collective agreement. I think it had a profound effect on the outcome of these discussions,” says Bruce. “The success of the collective agreement is credited to the people involved who accepted and invested in the process, allowing spirit to guide the discussions,”

The key themes of inclusive language, family, leaves, and sickness and health align with principles of Truth and Reconciliation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Twenty-one recommended actions from these themes were put forward to RRC Polytech’s labour management committee.

“This new agreement represents a meaningful step toward reconciliation and is an example of how we can use the opportunities presented through collective bargaining to make the lives of workers and their communities better” says MGEU President Kyle Ross.

“We are proud of what has been achieved through our collaboration with RRC Polytech, guided by the leadership and knowledge of Kookum Barbara Bruce, and are excited to see how these changes help members feel more respected, supported and included.”

Nearly all actions were implemented in RRC Polytech’s 2025–2028 collective agreement — a level of adoption rarely seen in collective bargaining and a testament to the leadership of the working group and supporters from both RRC Polytech and MGEU. These additions to the agreement encourage and support the recruitment and retention of Indigenous employees.

Not only does this collective achievement advance Truth and Reconciliation within labour relations and the collective bargaining process at the Polytech, it also reaffirms both parties’ commitment to continue this work collaboratively, ensuring future reviews and recommendations reflect shared values rooted in Truth and Reconciliation and EDIA.

RRC Polytech and MGEU have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to re-commit to reviewing the collective agreement through the next bargaining process.

Truth and Reconciliation is a journey. Together, RRC Polytech and MGEU have created a model that demonstrates what is possible when values guide action — resulting in tangible outcomes that will shape future collective agreements and hopefully inspire similar efforts across other organizations.

Learn more about the actions implemented within RRC Polytech’s 2025–2028 collective agreement to advance Truth and Reconciliation.