Millions of youth and adult supporters around the world took to the streets last week to raise awareness about climate change and the need for urgent action through the Global Climate Strike. Locally, over 10,000 people attended a General Strike for Climate Action at the Manitoba Legislative Building on Friday, September 27.
We know that the College community cares deeply about climate issues and that we play an important role in our community to bring a climate lens to everything we do. During the week, the College provided opportunities for those wishing to show their solidarity with the Global Climate Strike movement while on campus. We spoke with many students, staff and faculty who shared their concerns with us last week. Below is a brief summary of some of the ways our College community got involved.
Green felt circle pins show support for the climate strike. The red bead symbolized RRC.
Students, staff and faculty were invited to make and wear green circle pins to show their support for the Climate Strike. Pin-making events were scheduled at both NDC and EDC and staff and students were encouraged to request a pin-making kit for their areas if they were not able to attend one of the events. Requested kits made about 200 pins, while between EDC and NDC, approximately 175 people came out to make pins.
A special shout out to the Portage Campus where students, staff and faculty made and wore green ribbons to show their support for the climate strike. Students were also encouraged to write on the student lounge windows their thoughts on how they could support the action and what actions they could take to mitigate climate change.
In total, an estimated 400 pins and ribbons were made and worn by RRC students, staff and faculty.
On Friday, September 27th at noon, RRC students, staff and faculty gathered together at the Notre Dame Campus and the Roblin Centre to take a photo showing their solidarity with the climate strike.
See the photo gallery below for some photos from the week of Climate Strike activities at RRC.
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We’re in the midst of a global movement. Students around the world are taking to the streets and using the power of their collective voices to raise awareness about climate change and the need for urgent action through the Global Climate Strike.
Locally, Manitoba Youth for Climate Action is holding a week of events, culminating with a General Strike for Climate Action at the Manitoba Legislative Building on Friday, September 27. At the college, we know that so many of our students, staff and faculty care deeply and passionately about climate issues.
We also acknowledge the role we play in our community to bring a climate lens to everything we do. For these reasons, the College will be providing opportunities for faculty, staff and students to show their solidarity with the Global Climate Strike movement while on campus.
Make One. Take One.
When: Thursday, September 26 from 11am – 1pm (or organized on your own time)
Where: Notre Dame Campus (Library Hallway) and Exchange District Campus (Atrium)
A green circle pin is the recognized visual symbol for the Climate Strike. Faculty, staff and students are invited to make pins for themselves and others to wear throughout the week, culminating on Friday, September 27.
In addition to this hallway event, we’re encouraging regional campuses, departments and classes to organize pin-making within your own areas. Request supplies here by Wednesday, September 25.
Climate & Coffee
When: Thursday, September 26 from 11am – 1pm
Where: Notre Dame Campus (Library Hallway) and Exchange District Campus (Roblin Atrium)
Climate issues are daunting and overwhelming. Climate change can have an impact on our mental health in many ways. Come by for a cup of coffee (bring your reusable mug, of course!) and talk with your colleagues and classmates about what climate change means to you and the actions needed to reduce our impacts.
If you feel that your concerns around climate change are affecting your mental health, learn more about what you can do here.
RRC Climate Action Photo
When: Friday, September 27 at 12pm
Where: Notre Dame Campus (Plaza by bus loop doors) and Exchange District Campus (Roblin Atrium)
Wear your green felt pin and show your support for climate action as the college stages one of the largest photo opportunities ever! Our photos will be shared internally and uploaded to the Global Climate Strike website. Regional campuses are encouraged to organize your own photo opp. Contact sustainability@rrc.ca for more information.
Student Activism
Every year, the Red River College Students’ Association forms a Sustainability Club. Students who are interested in participating in climate issues on campus and in our community can contact Josh Roopchand at sa_president@rrc.ca.
The Sustainability Office is going to be taking vacation time on Friday afternoon to attend the Climate Strike at the Legislative Building.
We hope to see you out at one or more of these events.
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Earth Day is a worldwide event to celebrate and show appreciation for our planet, and demonstrate support for a sustainable tomorrow. Since it’s the only Earth we’ve got, let’s celebrate for more than just one day. The Sustainability Office is pleased to host our 9th annual State of Sustainability, and have a great line-up of free and fascinating events, running April 23 – May 9th!
City of Winnipeg Materials Recovery Facility Tour
Date: Tuesday, April 23
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: MRF
Transportation is available, leaving at 11 am.
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About Winnipeg’s Recycling Material Recovery Facility is responsible for producing and marketing all of Winnipeg’s recycling. It’s the one-stop-shop for 10 different materials collected from the city’s recycling depots and the recycling carts you wheel to your curb/alley every week. The 50,000 square foot facility has been operating since 2003. Through conveyor belts, heavy-duty magnets and manual sorting, see how 190 tonnes of residential recyclables are processed each day. It’s a fascinating “must see” – register today!
The Carbon Tax and You
Date: Monday, April 29
Time: 12 pm – 1 pm
Location: *UPDATED*: A1-37
Lunch provided. Registration not required.
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About It’s tax season, and taxes are everywhere. If you’re not filing your taxes, you’re thinking about the impacts of the new carbon tax while you’re filling up. Did you know that there’s a connection between the two? The Government of Canada has created a climate action incentive (CAI) where Manitobans can claim up to $339 when filing an Income Tax and Benefit Return, a way of returning revenue from the carbon tax back to you!
Learn more about the escalating impacts of the carbon tax, helpful tips, and information to understand how it will impact you. You’ll also find out practical ways you can reduce your tax and hear about greenhouse gas impacts.
Can’t make it to the event? You don’t have to miss it! Livestream at /etv/streaming/
Mobile Shredding
Date: Monday, April 29
Time: 1 pm – 3 pm
Location: Shipping & Receiving (NDC)
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About Once you have done your taxes and claimed your CAI, bring old documents from home and have them shredded at the College, on the spot! You can even stay and watch your documents being shredded on a monitor outside of the shredding truck!
E-Waste Drop Off (EDC)
Date(s): April 23, 24, 25 and 26
Times: it varies! See below
Location: W1-01 Shipping & Receiving (Roblin)
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About Heavy materials weighing you down? Now is the time to get rid of all of that pesky e-waste from home! RRC is holding an e-waste drive to collect and recycle old, broken and unwanted electronic waste.
Drop your discarded stuff during the times below:
Tuesday, April 23 | 8 am – 12 pm and 12:45-4 pm
Wednesday, April 24 | 8 am – 12 pm and 12:45-4 pm
Thursday, April 25 | 8 am – 12 pm and 12:45-4 pm
Friday, April 26 | 8 am – 12 pm
*Please drop batteries off at the ReBin near Roblin Security
*College equipment with an asset tag must be accepted in-person at Shipping and Receiving to ensure proper disposal.
*Please remove all private data before dropping off electronic equipment. RRC is not liable for data or digital content left on your device.
The Great College Clean-up (Notre Dame)
Date(s): April 29, May 1, 2 and 3
Times: it varies! See below
Location: Library Hallway
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About Time to clean-up and Marie Kondo NDC! Get rid of items that no longer spark joy (your computer and phone get a free pass 🙂 ). Empty your shelves and drawers of old office supplies, pens and markers, decorations, unwanted kitchen items, electronics and e-waste, used batteries, and toner and we’ll help to give these items a useful second life.
Drop your discarded stuff in the Library Hallway:
Monday, April 29 | 11 am – 1 pm
Tuesday, April 30 | 11 am – 1 pm
Wednesday, May 1 | 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Thursday, May 2 | 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Got a lotta junk? Book our collection crew to pick up items at your office! Register here.
Items we’re looking for:
- Old office supplies, or an abundance of office supplies (desk shelving, book ends, binders, file folders etc.)
- Books and magazines
- Kitchen items
- Electronics (kitchen appliances, speakers, music players etc.)
- Décor (frames, decorations, plant pots etc)
- Schwag items
- Unwanted program equipment
- Anything else that’s taking up space in your area that someone else might want
For college assets, i t’s imperative that proper disposal processes are followed. Please ensure the following:
- For IT assets, submit a Case Log here.
- For old furniture and all other college assets, email Steve Coates at scoates@rrc.ca
RRC Free Days
Date(s): May 6, 7, and 8
Times: it varies! See below
Location: Library Hallway
Monday, May 6 | 10 am – 2 pm
Tuesday, May 7 | 10 am – 2 pm
Wednesday, May 8 | 10 am – 12 pm
About The 3 R’s are a cliche, but it’s because they’re timeless and true. Let’s give new life to used items on campus, to reduce our waste and reuse what we have.
Items that were dropped off during the Great College Clean Up will be sorted and available to take home. Aren’t we clever… and a little sneaky? One person’s junk is another person’s treasure.
Come check out what’s available and free for the taking! Did you miss out on the College Clean Up and have things you’d like to gift? You can drop off items for re-purposing while the shop is open.
All unclaimed items will be donated to local non-profits and charitable organizations.
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Hi Everyone! My name is Ana Antunes, I am an international student from Brazil, I am currently attending the Community Economic Development program at Red River College and during the month of April I will be working with Whitney, Kale and Sara at the Sustainability Office as my program practicum placement.
I am passionate about sustainability, green living, reducing our impact on the environment, supporting small businesses in achieving social and economic wellbeing, people empowerment, educating for citizenship and everything else that leads us to a happier and more environment friendly living.
I have always had a strong connection with the environment and growing up in a family that valued being close to nature, and having contact with the land and animals, has fostered my love and care for the environment and my awareness of our impact on Earth. Over the years I met many other people that have touched me deeply with their knowledge and wisdom and that have influenced me to choose to be more mindful about my everyday choices and the impact of those choices on my ecological footprint. I have a bachelor and a teaching degree in Biological Sciences from Brazil which added a lot to my environmentally friendly approach while dealing with communities, teaching, working towards problem-solving, developing creative-thinking skills and in several other aspects of my personal life as well.
As a Biologist I feel I have the duty to protect the environment, to increase people’s environmental awareness and to find more sustainable ways of living. However, my experiences taught me that environmental awareness is intrinsically connected to critical thinking, community involvement, social awareness and cultural, health and economic aspects. That is why I decided to join the Community Development program, to be able to work with communities facilitating solid, inclusive, respectful, equitable, sustainable and healthy growth. I believe that only when all basic needs are met and individuals are involved and educated for citizenship, we will be able to work for a sustainable planet.
So far, I have mostly been focused on the issues and possibilities for sustainable living at the individual level and working at the Sustainability office has been a great opportunity to look at the issues and possibilities that emerge at the institutional level. Learning from Kale, Whitney and Sara’s experience on how we can reduce our impact as an organization is a huge opportunity for me and I am very excited to be able to absorb some of this knowledge while bringing my own international CD/CED student perspective to their work.
Although I will only be at the office for a month, I will have plenty of projects to contribute to. Some of the things I will be working on during my time here will be researching options for repurposing excess office supplies and materials, researching and drafting printing guidelines to support paper reduction, developing sustainability-focused content for student tours and providing support for the upcoming State of Sustainability (April 23 to April 26).
In my spare time, I like to explore Winnipeg (there is so much to discover!), be close to nature and spend quality time with my mini-family (husband and dog) and friends!
]]>Not only is biking a great way to reduce your personal carbon emissions, but it has many other benefits on your physical health and mental wellbeing.
Our office sat down with Breanna Sawatzky, the College’s Mental Health Coordinator to discuss sustainable transportation. Her role consists of many important facets such as drop-in counselling as well as training and education. Below Breanna answers some questions about her experience biking to work, and how it can positively affect your mental health.
Q: Tell me about yourself and your transportation strategies in the past?
A: I live in St. James and have a family of four, with one car. In the past, we would convoy together when we all worked downtown. When I started at the college, my husband and I would take turns either busing or taking the car, without really finding a method that worked better than the other. Our home is about 7km away from the campus so in reality it isn’t that far.
Q: What made you consider biking?
A: I felt like I wanted to cycle for the exercise and the sustainability benefits, but I also had some barriers running through my mind for a while. It wasn’t until around this time last year that Commuter Challenge gave me the motivation to actually try it.
Q: What were some of the barriers you had to overcome?
A: One of the main intimidations was the route. The thought of cycling down Route 90 with so many cars travelling at that speed kind of freaked me out a bit. It wasn’t until I typed in my destination to Google Maps and clicked the little bicycle that I realized there was a great route of primarily bike paths that I could take to get to work. Better yet, it would only take me 20 minutes, which was significantly better than the 40-minute bus and much closer to the 10 minutes a drive takes! Another intimidation was the image I had of what a bicyclist was. I had this idea that all bicyclists were super athletic experts and that I would need all the custom attire. I quickly learnt that what you wear and the pace you travel is all about what feels comfortable to you. Accepting the pace that works for me and understanding that you don’t have to be visually or consistently athletic to ride your bike to work. If people pass me, I give them a mental high five and not let it affect my ride or motivation.
Q: Was it inconvenient or a financial burden to take up this new mode of transportation?
A: My husband and I had recently bought each other bikes as an anniversary gift, so building it into one of our traditions made it a bit easier financially. I had a lock and a helmet already but didn’t have any other accessories that I thought I would need when I observed other bikers. When I looked into it a little more I realized I basically had everything that I needed, accept for something to carry my belongings. I didn’t have a backpack suitable for biking and not wanting to spend the money, my husband help me MacGyver my own pannier with the duffle bag I already own and some bungee cords.
Q: Do you use the bike lockers when you bike?
A: I am planning on it once I return to biking as I’m on a bit of a hiatus right now. With or without kids, sometimes there are obstacles that are out of your control and life doesn’t allow this kind of flexibility so it is important to recognize that you don’t have to be an all-or-nothing bicyclist. You can do it when it works for you and if some days it doesn’t, that is ok. Soon I’ll be able to get back to working it into my schedule and when that happens I’ll be sure to grab a locker – and they are free now, so that is nice!
Q: How do you feel sustainable transportation relates to human wellbeing and mental health?
A: Overall, the affordability is huge. If you can reduce the amount of money you spend on transportation you will also be reducing your stress. Students, in particular, report that that finances are one of the biggest stressors. The physical activity itself has been found to be beneficial for mental health as well. Biking to work or school is a way to weave this activity into your day instead of having to put time aside later on. To augment that, this time on a bike or bus can be used to de-stress from the day and allow you that time to yourself.
As you can see, the environmental, financial and health benefits to cycling are plenty. If it’s your first time riding to campus, consider looking for a bike buddy. Check out GoManitoba to plan your route and connect with other cyclists in your area. Once you arrive on campus, keep your bike and gear secure and safe by renting one of our free bike lockers at NDC, or park it in our indoor, secured bike room at PGI. If you are using one of our bike racks, check out these safety tips to lock up properly.
We hope to leave you with some inspiration to get on that bike and give it a try if you haven’t already, and if you have – keep on rollin!
Happy cycling!
]]>Learn more about Laura in her own words.
Hello RRC! My name is Laura Hnatiuk and I am beyond excited to take on the role as Sustainability Coordinator. I look forward to engaging with students, faculty and staff to deliver and expand top notch waste, recycling and other sustainability programs and events on campus. So… who am I?!
Since a youngster in diapers, I’ve always had a fascination with nature. You could often find me gazing at the sky, picking at leaves, poking at bugs and collecting many, many rocks. Growing up, my fascination developed into a passion to protect and maintain the integrity of our earth and its valuable resources.
To no surprise, I went on to get my Bachelors in Environmental Studies from the University of Manitoba, focusing on biodiversity and conservation. After spending some time away in the Rocky Mountains, I returned to Winnipeg full of fresh mountain air, to pursue my career in environmental sustainability.
It became very evident to me that my ambition lies within public outreach and institutional sustainability, working towards the development and expansion of sustainability programs and initiatives to provide the access and resources needed to build a strong culture of sustainability, and promote behavioral change that can be carried forward into everyday life.
I have since worked to integrate sustainability programs and initiatives within both the public and private sector, most recently coming from Green Manitoba as the Organic Waste Program Coordinator. There my role was to coordinate the development and delivery of the Manitoba Composts Program, Schools Compost! Program, and expansion of various organic waste diversion initiatives, projects and funding opportunities throughout Manitoba. Before that, I had a great opportunity at MTS, where I established an Environmental Management System and worked to integrate waste, recycling and other sustainability programs across the telecommunications industry in Manitoba.
On my own time, I’m active in both the local environmental community and the gym (you can find me at Bootcamp!). I enjoy volunteering in many different fields of interest, particularly local arts and culture, as well as all things food! In addition to that, Farmers Markets and yoga take up much of my free time.
I am confident that RRC will continue to build its reputation as a leader in sustainability and am thrilled at the opportunity to be a part of the team! Please feel free to contact me anytime with comments, questions, concerns or ideas. I can be reached at lahnatiuk@rrc.ca, 204 632 2144 or drop by C519 (baking is always welcome).
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GoManitoba is a province-wide commuting platform that matches you with carpool partners (drivers and/or riders) who live and work/ attend campus near you. The system also gives you transit options, walking and cycling routes, and matches you with commuting buddies. Students and staff have the option of matching with everyone on the GoManitoba site, or you can choose to limit your search to College-specific users/ ** Use your Red River College (rrc.ca) email address to ensure you get connected with RRC peers.
Registering and navigating the site is just a simple as creating and using your Facebook account, but if you need some help you can refer to this handy GoManitoba How to Guide.
Cutest air freshener I ever did see. Thanks Green Action Centre!
The free app can be download to your smartphone, tablet or desktop. GoManitoba works best when a critical mass of people sign on, so encourage your friends, family and colleagues to join. To sweeten the deal, the Sustainability Office is offering a $200 Commuter Care Package to one lucky Rebel who registers before November 30th. Green Action Centre, the provincial coordinator for this program, is also offering some ‘early adopter’ prizes for the first 5,000 registrants to the site.
Happy commuting everyone.
Launching GoManitoba is another way the College is promoting sustainable commuting to campus. Learn more about our plans and priorities by checking out our Transportation Plan.
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Red River College’s 2nd annual Farmers’ Market is being held on Friday, September 15th from 11am – 1:30pm in the Library Hallway… and we hope to see you there!
Our local line-up includes:
Wafflelicious – Savour one of these waffles and you’ll swear you’re sitting in a café in Brussels.
Gold Bone Broth – Bison bone broth and chicken bone broth is a delicious way to fill your body with all kinds of goodness like protein, calcium, antioxidants and amino acids. Plus it’s delicious.
Pod4design – Warm tired and sore muscles with these naturally made therapy bags. I can tell you that the Peppa Pig Therapy Bag I got for my 3-year old at last year’s market is a hit.
Hearts & Roots – Farm fresh, organic veggies. Need we say more?
The Stak Co.- Colourful packets of pulses and legumes to make delicious soups, burritos and chilis. Ole!
Nosh on This – Pamela whips up delicious sweet and savoury baking. Bet you’d never know it was vegan and gluten-free. This means you can eat twice as much, right?
Cze By Tania – If a beard was ever to be described as lustrous it would be thanks to Cze’s beard oil. Hair and body products, too! Did we mention Tania’s a former grad?
Prairie Quinoa – Did you know that in Bolivia and Peru there are more than 6,000 varieties of quinoa? Closer to home, engineer turned farmer Percy Philips grows amber quinoa on his farm near Portage la Prairie.
Assiniboine Community College Baking Program – Chef Barb and her students are back at it. This time they’re bringing streusel cake, bread and jams. Delish!
RRC Sustainability Office – The three hours a year when the Sustainability Office becomes a Market Vendor. We’ll be there selling our Bijou and Creekside honeys. Jars are $10 each.
Come hungry. Come with a reusable bag. Come with a full wallet. Come with your co-workers. We look forward to seeing you!
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Creekside Honey: NDC’s very own private label honey. Don’t worry, our Marketing Department will make a much nicer label .
You submitted (98 honey names) and you voted (an astounding 6,794 times) and we finally have a resolution to our NDC honey-naming contest.
A huge congratulations goes out to Bettina Allen for coming up with Creekside Honey. This honey is aptly named because, in Bettina’s words, Omand’s Creek runs along the edge of the college grounds and through Brookside Cemetery. It is home to a variety of wild plants, flowers and wildlife and likely a popular place for the RRC bees to collect pollen.
Mark your calendar! Creekside Honey, along with our Bijou Honey, will be sold at RRC’s 2nd annual Farmers’ Market on Friday, September 15th. Since we’ve doubled our hives from last year, our honey yield has increased substantially, so there will be much more to go around.
Congratulations also to our finalists Rob Buisson (Bad to the Drone), Shaun Scrymgeour (Born to Bee Wild), Lynn Gibson (Campus Buzz), Dave Wozny (Notre Dame Nectar), Mark Hoddenbagh (Rebelicious).
Thank you to everyone who participated in this fun summer contest. It sure did create a buzz on campus!
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Our bees (and our Leslie) on Building A.
We received a whopping 98 submissions in our contest to name the Notre Dame Campus honey.
The honey names and descriptions were then passed on to our judges (Gord ‘Guardian of the Grounds’ McLeod, Riva ‘Penchant for Puns’ Harrison, and Darryl ‘Actual Apiarist’ Oshanyk) to develop our shortlist. It was a difficult task to pare the list down from 98 to 6 submissions, but our judges were up for this challenge.
Without further ado, our shortlist is….
| Honey Name | Description | Submitted by |
| Bad to the Drone | A George Thorogood Song is now in your head. | Rob Buisson |
| Born to Bee Wild | Many species of bees have recently faced extinction, one of the reasons behind this being excessive use of pesticides. Most of these bees were born to be wild. It’s always important for us to think about our environment and everything living within it, especially when it affects life on this planet so profoundly! | Shaun Scrymgeour |
| Campus Buzz | The name illustrates the fact that the bees are on Campus, and also includes the word buzz, which is the noise bees make. The name also refers to the details, scoop or lowdown on what’s going on at the College. | Lynn Gibson |
| Creekside Honey | Omand’s Creek runs along the edge of the college grounds and through Brookside Cemetery. It is home to a variety of wild plants, flowers and wildlife and likely a popular place for the RRC bees to collect pollen. | Bettina Allen |
| Notre Dame Nectar | Notre Dame, obviously because of the location, and nectar as the essential sugar component of honey. | Dave Wozny |
| Rebelicious Honey | We are the “Rebels” and the honey will be “delicious”. | Mark Hoddenbagh |
All students and staff are now invited to vote for their favourite honey name through the online poll below. Voting will end on Wednesday August 16th at 4pm and our winning honey will be announced on Thursday, August 17th.
The creative minds who came up with the 6 short-listed honey names will each receive one jar of our Notre Dame Honey, with the winning submission receiving four jars (2 of the PGI honey and 2 of the NDC honey). Sweet deal!
This honey-naming contest is one of many events we’re holding this summer to promote our partnership with Beeproject Apriaries and the 6 hives we have dotting the rooftops of our college campuses. We’re still gearing up for a honey extraction workshop and Farmers’ Market, so there’s plenty more time to get involved with this project.
Happy voting!
[poll id=”3″]
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