When Qualico announced its partnership with RRC Polytech in May 2025, it affirmed a shared commitment to building accessible pathways into skilled trades. Less than a year later, that commitment is already evolving. 

With continued support from Qualico, the Introduction to Trades program has been redesigned to better meet the needs of industry. Beginning September 1, 2026, the program will transition into Skilled Trades – Foundations, which features increased capacity, strengthened basics, and clearer pathways into future trades education and careers. 

“What excites us most is the scale and momentum of what’s coming next. The program’s formal capacity is almost doubling which means more people will have access to training and career pathways in the trades,” says David Eggerman, Senior Vice-President, Supply Chain, Qualico. 

Skilled Trades – Foundations is a 15-week program designed specifically for First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners. While retaining the hands-on, exploratory nature of the former 20-week Introduction to Trades program, the updated certificate places a stronger emphasis on foundational skills essential for long-term success in the trades, including mathematics, science, and communication. 

“With a shorter timeline, hopefully there won’t be as many stressful school weeks for students and that’ll help them focus,” said Mark Anderson, Navigation Coach for the School of Indigenous Education. Anderson works directly with students to help them access resources at the Polytech – both academic and cultural. 

Learners are introduced to a range of skilled trades through shop experiences, applied learning, and connections with prospective employers. Indigenous knowledge is embedded throughout the curriculum to support learners’ confidence and sense of belonging as they prepare for the next steps in education or employment. 

“A lot of students are really engaged with the cultural activities because they’ve never had the opportunity to learn that way,” said Anderson. “This spring, the students got to make drums with the Knowledge Keeper-in-Residence. They started with scraping the hides, then worked on tanning, and right down to lacing them on the frames. It was a really great takeaway for them – getting to do that is really motivating.” 

 Introduction to Trades previously accepted 32 students across two intakes per year. Now, Skilled Trades – Foundations will welcome up to 60 students across three intakes per year. This growth allows more learners to access training that aligns with updated skilled trades start dates at RRC Polytech and ensures smoother transitions into apprenticeship programs and entry‑level employment. Like Introduction to Trades, Skilled Trades – Foundations will earn graduates direct entry into any RRC Polytech trades program. 

In addition to program expansion, Qualico’s elevated partnership also includes the Qualico Trades for All Award, which provides direct financial support to students pursuing training in the skilled trades. The award helps ease financial pressures and helps recipients focus more fully on their studies and career goals. 

“When I submitted my application for the award, I honestly felt hopeful but unsure if I would actually receive it,” says Chloe Jessop, an Electrical student that graduated from Introduction to Trades. “I knew how much this opportunity could help me continue pursuing a career in the trades, but there were so many deserving applicants. Receiving the award while I was in the middle of my pre-employment program was an incredible feeling. It gave me a lot of confidence in myself and reminded me that the hard work I had been putting into my education and training was being recognized and supported.” 

The evolution of the program to Skilled Trades – Foundations reflects what’s possible when education and industry work together. Through increased capacity, enhanced curriculum, and targeted student support, Qualico’s partnership with RRC Polytech is helping learners build momentum toward meaningful careers. 

“Looking back, we’re most proud of how quickly this partnership moved from vision to real, tangible impact. In just one year, we’ve seen students engaging directly with industry through classroom presentations, site tours, and conversations with our teams and trades we partner with. Hearing directly from students during site tours and events reinforced that early industry exposure really does matter. It’s helping students see a future for themselves in the trades, and that’s exactly why this partnership exists,” says Eggerman. 

Together, we are strengthening communities, supporting Indigenous learners, and helping ensure a vibrant future for the skilled trades in Manitoba and beyond. 

“What I look forward to most in my future career is continuing to learn and grow within the electrical trade while building a stable future for myself. I enjoy the hands-on aspect of the work, problem solving, and seeing the results of what I build. I’m also excited about the opportunity to work alongside experienced tradespeople, continue developing my skills, and eventually become a journeyperson myself. I hope to inspire other young people, especially those entering trades programs, to pursue opportunities they are passionate about,” says Jessop. 

For more information about Skilled Trades – Foundations and to get started on your application, visit the Program Explorer and take the first step toward building a future in the trades.

Indigenous men made up 28% of all homicide victims in Canada in 2024. Comparatively, Indigenous men make up about 2.5% of the Canadian population.

Blue Jean Jacket Day was started by the Stolen Sisters and Brothers Action Movement in Edmonton in 2023 to honour and raise awareness of the men, boys, and Two-Spirit people that have been murdered or gone missing. June 6 was chosen since it is one month after May 5, which is dedicated to Red Dress Day for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the AMC Missing & Murdered First Nation Peoples Unit (MMFNP) are leading a walk to honour the memories and raise awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Men, Boys and Two-Spirit People on Friday, June 5 starting at the Legislative Building in downtown Winnipeg. Supporters are encouraged to wear blue jean jackets to help raise awareness.

This month, we celebrate and recognize Indigenous History as Canadians. Indigenous Peoples have shaped Canada as it is today and have been part of the land since time immemorial. June is a focal point to celebrate and appreciate the unique histories, cultures, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people throughout the history of this land. The Summer Solstice, which lands around June 21 every year, is a celestial event observed by countless Nations for generations and is designated as Indigenous Peoples Day.

Opportunities at RRC Polytech

Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement is offering two professional development opportunities to staff and faculty to increase their knowledge of Indigenous histories and realities. Indigenous Education is hosting events for staff and faculty to celebrate and engage with culture.

Witness Blanket Tour at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights

The Witness Blanket is a permanent installation at the CMHR in its own gallery with open space for observers to reflect and consider the stories of each object woven into the Witness Blanket. The installation is composed of reclaimed objects from Residential Schools, churches, government buildings, and cultural sites across Canada and organized into the pattern of a blanket. Each object in the Blanket carries a story – memories of suffering, survival, and resilience.

Staff and faculty are invited to join Knowledge Keeper and Instructor Marilyn Dykstra to tour the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and learn more about the histories left unwritten by mainstream textbooks.

If you would like to register for the upcoming tour on June 23, staff can go to HRIS > My Portal > My Learning > Learning Library > More > search “Witness Blanket”.

National Indigenous Residential School Museum Tour

The National Indigenous Residential School Museum, located in Portage la Prairie, is the site of the former Portage la Prairie Residential School. The building was designated a national historic site in 2020 and has been transformed into a museum that explores the raw experiences of children that attended Residential Schools throughout Canada, including the Portage la Prairie Residential School. Tour guides walk participants through the rooms of the school and describe the many stories left by students.

This experience is ideal for educators and staff committed to advancing truth and reconciliation through education, and those seeking to advance Truth and Reconciliation. To register for the June 10 tour, go to  HRIS > My Portal > My Learning > Learning Library > More > search “Residential School”.

Staff Sweat Lodge Ceremony

On June 11, Indigenous Education will be rebuilding the Sweat Lodge in the Medicine Wheel Garden under the guidance of Elder-in-Residence Paul Guimond and participating in a Sweat Lodge Ceremony. Participants will be building the Lodge throughout the morning while the sacred fire burns, and will enter the Lodge around midday, followed by a Feast around 2pm. Please note that this is a full-day commitment.

The Summer Solstice

On June 19, Indigenous Education will be hosting a Pipe Ceremony in the Medicine Wheel Garden to celebrate the Summer Solstice. Everyone is invited to observe the Pipe Ceremony at 10am and join in the Feast around 12pm in the Indigenous Support Centre. Bring your feast bundle and help us reduce waste!

Register: Summer Solstice

Opportunities in the Community

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is hosting a walk to honour Blue Jean Jacket Day on June 6 starting at the Manitoba Legislative Building, an observance to recognize and raise awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Men, Boys, and Two Spirit People. The movement began in Edmonton in 2023 and has been gaining momentum since then to remember lost loved ones and support families of victims.

The Southern Chiefs’ Organization has started a month-long campaign to promote events in Winnipeg and beyond, including the Indigenous Reconciliation Gathering on June 20 and the Movement is Medicine initiative with the Winnipeg Football Club on June 25 at the Princess Auto Stadium. They also have online listings for various Pow Wows throughout the month to share more celebrations widely.

The Winnipeg Indigenous Peoples Day event at Assiniboine Park will take place on Saturday, June 20, from 11am to 5pm at the Indigenous Peoples Garden and The Leaf, hosted by Assiniboine Park Conservancy Inc.

The TOOT AASAAMB Annual Métis Picnic in Winnipeg will be held on Saturday, June 20, from 11am to 2 pm at 866 St. Joseph Street, hosted by the Manitoba Métis Federation.

National Indigenous Peoples Day will be celebrated on June 21, 2026, at The Forks co-hosted by the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba. The event features Indigenous performers, ceremonies, Inuit games, a handmade market, and cultural programming that honours the stories, resilience, and traditions of Indigenous communities, including those impacted by Manitoba wildfires. It launches an 11-day “Many Nations, One Heartbeat” celebration leading into Canada Day on July 1, highlighting Manitoba’s treaty regions through language, teachings, and community events.

Learn About Indigenous History and Culture Through Films and Books

Catch a glimpse of the richness and breadth of Indigenous culture, diversity, and history through these hand-selected resources. We encourage you to explore the Library’s collection further with our OneSearch tool.

Indigenous Storytelling

kisiskaciwan: Indigenous Voices from Where the River Flows Swiftly 

A ground-breaking anthology from the territory now known as Saskatchewan, this book explores some of the richest and oldest stories from these lands, including voices from Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Lakota, Nakota, Dene, and Metis nations.

Centering Anishinaabeg Studies : Understanding the World Through Stories

Written by Anishinaabeg and non-Anishinaabeg scholars, storytellers, and activists, these essays draw upon the power of cultural expression to illustrate active and ongoing senses of Anishinaabeg life.

Coyote and Raven Go Canoeing : Coming Home to the Village

In a gesture toward traditional First Nations orality, Peter Cole blends poetic and dramatic voices with storytelling. A conversation between two tricksters, Coyote and Raven, and the colonized and the colonizers, his narrative takes the form of a canoe journey. It is a celebration of Aboriginal thought, spirituality, and practice, a sharing of lived experience as First Peoples.

Testimonial Uncanny, The : Indigenous Storytelling, Knowledge, and Reparative Practices

Through the study of Indigenous literary and artistic practices from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, Julia V. Emberley examines the ways Indigenous storytelling discloses and repairs the traumatic impact of social violence in settler colonial nations.

Indigenous Fiction

Song of Batoche

This historical novel reimagines the North-West resistance of 1885 through the Métis women of Batoche, and in particular the rebellious outsider, Josette Lavoie.

Dancing Home

Blackie is out for revenge against the cop who put him in prison on false grounds. He is also craving to reconnect with his grandmother’s country. Driven by his hunger for drugs and payback, Blackie reaches dark places of both mystery and beauty as he searches for peace.

Yellow Line

Vince lives in a small town—a town that is divided right down the middle by race. The unspoken rule has been there as long as Vince remembers and no one challenges it. But when Vince’s friend Sherry starts seeing an Indigenous boy, Vince is outraged—until he notices Raedawn, a girl from the reserve. Trying to balance his community’s prejudices with his shifting alliances, Vince is forced to take a stand, and see where his heart will lead him.

Indigenous Culinary Arts

Where People Feast : An Indigenous People’s Cookbook

Where People Feast, one of very few indigenous cookbooks available, is the culmination of a lifetime dedicated to introducing people to extraordinary foods that are truly North American.

Good Seeds : A Menominee Indian Food Memoir

In this food memoir, named for the manoomin or wild rice that also gives the Menominee tribe its name, tribal member Thomas Pecore Weso takes readers on a cook’s journey through Wisconsin’s northern woods. He connects each food—beaver, trout, blackberry, wild rice, maple sugar, partridge—with colorful individuals who taught him Indigenous values.

A Feast for All Seasons : Traditional Native Peoples’ Cuisine

Traditional Native recipes featuring products from the land, sea and sky, symbols of an enduring cuisine that illustrate respect for the nurturing land, and acknowledgment of the spiritual power food can have in our lives.

Stream Videos

These videos are available through the National Film Board of Canada and provide many different insights into Indigenous realities all across Canada.

nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up

Weaves a profound narrative encompassing the filmmaker’s own adoption, the stark history of colonialism on the Prairies, and a vision of a future where Indigenous children can live safely on their homelands.

Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot man

Sons, fathers, brothers, riders, racers, dancers, dreamers… Sinakson Trevor Solway introduces us to the many lives, identities and stories of the boys and men of the historic Blackfoot Confederacy.

The Whale and the Raven

Director Mirjam Leuze’s The Whale and the Raven illuminates the many issues that have drawn whale researchers, the Gitga’at First Nation, and the Government of British Columbia into a complex conflict. As the people in the Great Bear Rainforest struggle to protect their territory against the pressure and promise of the gas industry, caught in between are the countless beings that call this place home.

Jordan River Anderson, The Messenger

The very timely Jordan River Anderson, The Messenger completes, on an optimistic note, the film cycle devoted to the rights of Indigenous children and peoples that began with The People of the Kattawapiskak River.

The Road Forward

The Road Forward, a musical documentary by Marie Clements, connects a pivotal moment in Canada’s civil rights history—the beginnings of Indian Nationalism in the 1930s—with the powerful momentum of First Nations activism today. The Road Forward’s stunningly shot musical sequences, performed by an ensemble of some of Canada’s finest vocalists and musicians, seamlessly connect past and present with soaring vocals, blues, rock, and traditional beats. A rousing tribute to the fighters for First Nations rights, a soul-resounding historical experience, and a visceral call to action.

Our People Will Be Healed

Our People Will Be Healed, Alanis Obomsawin’s 50th film, reveals how a Cree community in Manitoba has been enriched through the power of education. The Helen Betty Osborne Ininiw Education Resource Centre in Norway House, north of Winnipeg, receives a level of funding that few other Indigenous institutions enjoy. Its teachers help their students to develop their abilities and their sense of pride.

We Were Children

In this feature film, the profound impact of the Canadian government’s residential school system is conveyed through the eyes of two children who were forced to face hardships beyond their years. As young children, Lyna and Glen were taken from their homes and placed in church-run boarding schools, where they suffered years of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, the effects of which persist in their adult lives. 

Warning: this film contains disturbing content and is recommended for audiences 16 years of age and older. Parental discretion, and/or watching this film within a group setting, is strongly advised.

Six Miles Deep

This short documentary offers a portrait of a group of women who led their community, the largest reserve in Canada, Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve, in an historic blockade to protect their land.

Martha of the North

Martha was only 5 when she and her parents were lured away from their Inuit village. Along with a handful of other families, they were moved to Canada’s most northerly island, Ellesmere, to ensure Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic. They were told that game would be plentiful and life would be easy. Instead, they discovered that the islands of the Arctic are among the least hospitable to human life in the world. For years, they endured hunger and extreme cold.

Niigaanibatowaad: FrontRunners

At a special ceremony during the opening of the 1999 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba, seven Indigenous men in their fifties entered the stadium in war canoes. One of them held the Games torch. In 1967 when Winnipeg first hosted the Pan American Games, ten outstanding athletic teenage boys were chosen to run 800 kilometers over an ancient message route with the Games torch. When the runners arrived at the stadium, they were not allowed to enter with the torch. Instead, a non-Indigenous runner was given the honour. Thirty-two-years later, the province of Manitoba issued an official apology.

The Sacred Sundance: The Transfer of a Ceremony

This feature-length documentary chronicles the Sundance ceremony brought to Eastern Canada by William Nevin of the Elsipogtog First Nation of the Mi’kmaq. Nevin learned from Elder Keith Chiefmoon of the Blackfoot Confederacy in Alberta. Under the July sky, participants in the Sundance ceremony go four days without food or water. Then they will pierce the flesh of their chests in an offering to the Creator. This event marks a transmission of culture and a link to the warrior traditions of the past.

Explore More with the Library’s Indigenous Guides

Delve further into Indigenous subjects with the Indigenous Education guides. Subject-specific collections on the following topics:

• Community Economic Development 
• Indigenous Culinary Arts 
• Indigenous Health and Well-Being 
• Indigenous Languages 
• Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls 
• Residential Schools 

Wear the moose hide pin to support ending gender-based violence

May 14, 2026, marks Moose Hide Campaign Day, an Indigenous-led national movement calling on people across Canada to take a stand against gender-based violence. Each year, hundreds of thousands of participants engage in Ceremonies, workshops, and community events to raise awareness and inspire change.

The campaign focuses on engaging men and boys as allies in ending gender-based violence – an approach that challenges harmful norms and encourages healthier, more respectful relationships.

At the heart of the campaign is the moose hide pin, which is a small square of tanned moosehide worn as a visible pledge to honour, respect, and protect women and children, and to speak out against violence.

The Moose Hide Campaign was started by Paul Lacerte and his daughter Raven Lacerte during a hunting trip along British Columbia’s “Highway of Tears,” a region known for the high number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The father and daughter created the first moose hide pins as a way to spark conversation and inspire action. It began as a grassroots initiative and has since grown into a nationwide movement involving schools, governments, organizations, and communities across Canada.

Get involved in Moose Hide Campaign Day:

• Wear a moose hide pin to show your commitment and spark conversation
• Join a local event, walk, or Ceremony in your community
• Participate in the national livestream or workshops
• Have meaningful conversations about gender-based violence
• Share information on social media to raise awareness

Every action, no matter how small, helps build momentum toward change. Today, we’ll be livestreaming the Moose Hide Rally 11am – 12:30pm in the Indigenous Support Centre F209 at Notre Dame Campus and you can get your own moose hide pin. If you would like to participate in the rally, register here and join the walk at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights at 11am.

On May 14, 2026, take a moment to reflect, learn, and act. Together, we can help end gender-based violence and move toward healing and reconciliation.

The following message includes topics that may trigger strong emotions, especially for those with lived experiences. It is recommended that we all check in on ourselves and access the resources available to us to ensure we are taking good care of our mental health. For mental health and self-care resources, visit here. 

The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People, otherwise known as Red Dress Day, is observed on Tuesday, May 5.  

Red Dress Day began with Jaime Black’s REDress Project in 2010, in which she hung red dresses in public spaces to represent Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People and to honour their lives and their families.  

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People (MMIWG2S) released their Final Report in June 2019. The report detailed over 2,380 accounts from family members, survivors of violence, experts and Knowledge Keepers during two years of evidence gathering. Two volumes of the report conclude that persistent human and Indigenous rights violations are the root cause of Canada’s high rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people. 

Sections 11.1 – 11.2 call on educators across all levels to provide awareness to the public about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People and about the issues and causes of violence they experience. In this digital age, we have the ability to spread the truth, but we are also at odds with misinformation borne from ignorance and racism. It is our duty to their families and communities to advocate for the truth of Canada’s complacency in crimes against Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people. 

In 2021, the Government of Canada released The Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People to develop an Implementation Plan in partnership with Indigenous people. This pathway is being designed to address the root issues that create circumstances in which Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit go missing or are murdered. 

Many Indigenous organizations have additional programs that support the National Inquiry and education on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People like the Southern Chiefs’ Organization Inc. MMIWG2S and Violence Prevention. 

RRC Polytech recently released a new Red Shirt at the Campus Store in partnership with Ininew artist Heather Endall, the proceeds of which contribute to the Minwastanikewin Truth and Reconciliation Aware for Indigenous students. Every year, two full-time Indigenous students receive $1,000 bursaries to help support their education journeys. Read more about the RRC Polytech 2026 Red Shirt on our blog and purchase yours today. 

The flags at Notre Dame Campus and PGI will be lowered to half-mast to pay respect to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People. 

We also acknowledge that this observance may be emotionally taxing, especially for Indigenous students and employees. Please remember that outside of formal events in which they agree to participate, Indigenous community members may decline discussing this observance because of its emotional and cultural impact.

Purchase the new 2026 Red Shirt designed by Ininew artist Heather Endall at the Campus Store. All proceeds support the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award – a bursary dedicated to full-time Indigenous students at RRC Polytech. Wear your shirt on May 5 for the Day of Remembrance and Action, otherwise known as Red Dress Day, to raise awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People.

Purchase your shirt in-store or online at the Campus Store.

Artist’s Statement – Heather Endall

The Fancy Shawl

The shawl of this dancer’s regalia is shaped like the wings of a butterfly along with other winged creatures as the dancer soars elegantly, her feet barely touching the ground appearing as if she herself has wings.

The Monarch Butterfly represents many things in Canadian Indigenous culture which are attributes of Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people. Butterflies are the epitome of transformation, resiliency, freedom and hope. They are also creatures that are believed to be the spirits of our loved ones who have returned with messages.

Much like the Monarch Butterfly, dragonflies represent maturity, growth and transformation. They are connected to the wind and water. They are often seen as powerful messengers of joy.

Hummingbirds are also messengers of good luck, joy and beauty but also represent intelligence and endurance. They represent quick energy and can manage stressful situations with grace and elegance.

The hinted shape of a bear’s head reminds us of the courageousness of a mother bear, and the truly fearless love and protection she has for her cubs.

Apply for ADaPT today!

ADaPT for Indigenous and Young Adults is a free digital and professional skills training program designed for Indigenous and young adults across Manitoba, including those in northern and remote communities. The program helps participants build confidence, gain real‑world skills, and connect with employers who are hiring.

Delivered by RRC Polytech Corporate Solutions in partnership with TECHNATION, with support from Toronto Metropolitan University’s Diversity Institute, ADaPT is funded through the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Program.

Participants complete more than 70 hours of training combining live virtual workshops, optional self‑paced learning, and dedicated career support. Training focuses on:

• Digital skills like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, cybersecurity, AI tools, social media, SEO, and basic web development
• Professional and workplace skills, including communication, personal branding, and understanding workplace expectations
• Job‑search skills such as resumes, mock interviews, networking, and employer meet‑and‑greets

ADaPT is delivered using a culturally responsive, trauma‑informed approach shaped by Indigenous guidance and community input. Participants receive one‑to‑one career coaching throughout the program and support preparing for employment, including opportunities for paid work‑integrated learning placements. Wraparound supports—such as technology or transportation assistance—are available based on individual needs.

• No cost to participate
• Live virtual workshops with recordings for flexible access
• Learning circles and community knowledge sharing
• Two cohorts starting April 27 and May 25, 2026
• Participants who complete 80% of live workshops earn a micro‑credential

ADaPT for Indigenous and Young Adults gives you the tools, confidence, and support to move toward meaningful work—within your community and beyond.

Indigenous learners are invited to join us for a drop‑in session on Tuesday, April 21, anytime between 4 – 7 PM to the Indigenous Support Centre (F209) at Notre Dame Campus to receive free help submitting an application to any RRC Polytech program.

This relaxed, low‑pressure session is designed to support learners at any stage of their journey – from exploring program options to completing an application. Staff will be available to provide guidance and share information about the many supports available to help students succeed throughout their time at RRC Polytech.

The Indigenous Admissions Advisor will be available to provide information on RRC Polytech programs, admission requirements, and assist with the application process.

A Navigation Coach will be on hand to discuss day‑to‑day supports students may need while in school, including rent assistance, accommodations, band funding, and other general inquiries. Learners can also connect with the Academic Liaison and Resource Coach, who offers group and one‑on‑one tutoring across a range of programs to help students stay on track with their coursework.

A staff member from Student Awards & Financial Aid will be available to explain funding options, bursaries, and financial supports, while a representative from Campus Living – Residence will share information about on‑campus and student living options to help learners plan where they will live while attending school.

The Program Facilitator and IG Power Coach will be available to discuss the IG Wealth Empower Your Tomorrow program, which provides eligible students with access to up to $10,000 in bursary funding spread over multiple years. The Indigenous Centre Coordinator will be present to share opportunities for cultural connection and community, including Sweat Lodges, drum‑making, and Sharing Circles with Elders.

Learners are welcome to drop in when it works for them, receive application support, ask questions, and take an important first step toward their future at RRC Polytech.

For any questions about the Free Application for Indigenous Learners or the upcoming Drop-In Indigenous Student Support Sessions, please contact the Indigenous Admissions Advisor at indigenous.advisor@rrc.ca.

Time: 4pm – 7pm (drop in anytime)

Date: Tuesday, April 21

Place: 2055 Notre Dame Ave., Building F, second floor, room F209

Join us for a meaningful workshop in support of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S).

This evening will offer an opportunity for learning, connection, and creative expression within a welcoming community space. Gerri Pangman will lead a workshop to make Red Dress pins to raise awareness of MMIWG2S ahead of May 5, Red Dress Day or otherwise known as the Day of Remembrance and Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People.

• Location: Indigenous Student Support Centre (Room P407), Exchange District Campus
• Date: Thursday, April 9
• Time: 5–7pm

Participants will create red dress pins as a symbol of remembrance, awareness, and ongoing commitment to justice for MMIWG2S communities. All pin-making kits will be provided.

For more information or questions, please contact Sara McIvor-Prouty at smcivor@rrc.ca

We look forward to coming together for this important and impactful event.

Anishinaabemowin instructors Corey Whitford (Exchange District Campus) and Elder Angela Roulette (Portage Campus) chat in Anishinaabemowin about teaching the language for National Indigenous Languages Day.