The free event — Telefilm Canada: A Reel Conversation — takes place Thursday, March 20, from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Round Room at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, 319 Elgin Avenue.

There, the College will host Julie Roy, Executive Director and CEO of Telefilm Canada, for an engaging fireside chat. With nearly three decades dedicated to the film industry, Roy brings a wealth of experience, having served in pivotal roles at the National Film Board (NFB) and leading positions in programming, distribution and innovation.

The event presents a unique opportunity for students, faculty and industry professionals alike to delve into the insights and trends shaping Canadian media today. Whether attendees are passionate about film production and storytelling, or simply curious about the future of Canada’s cinematic landscape, the discussion promises valuable takeaways and networking opportunities.

A light lunch and refreshments will be provided before the conversation begins.

The College’s Schroeder Institute serves as a dynamic hub for creative arts education and research in Manitoba. Established through a generous $15-million gift from the Schroeder Foundation in September 2024, the Institute bridges classroom learning with industry demands, offering programs in animation, digital film and media production, video and motion graphics, and more.

Students benefit from hands-on experiences, industry partnerships and applied research opportunities, ensuring they are well-prepared to contribute to Manitoba’s burgeoning creative industries.

RRC Polytech has been chosen to lead a national network of post-secondary institutions and collaborative partners to bring more academic research ideas to reality, support Indigenous business and drive economic growth.

As part of a national innovation strategy to increase entrepreneurship and research commercialization across Canada, the College has been awarded $24.1 million in federal funding over five years through a Lab to Market grant — becoming one of four network leaders to share in a total investment of $95.3 million.

Administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), this is the largest tri-council grant ever awarded to or led by a college in Canada.

“For over 20 years, RRC Polytech has been solving industry problems and training tomorrow’s future leaders through applied research, and today we are honoured to continue to build on our strengths as a polytechnic and lead this collaborative, nation-wide network through the largest ever tri-council investment in a college,” said Fred Meier, RRC Polytech’s President and CEO.

“Our shared goal is to find solutions for the challenges that all Canadians are facing. This network combines the unique abilities of researchers at colleges and universities and connects them directly with industry and community to accelerate innovation.”

The College-University Lab to Market Network for Entrepreneurship and Research Commercialization spans eight regional hubs from B.C. to Nova Scotia and brings together 38 post-secondary institutions, along with other collaborators — including RRC Polytech’s Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah, one of three Indigenous hubs.

The support of Indigenous business growth is a foundational objective. Tailoring mentorship and resources to support Indigenous entrepreneurs while ensuring all research respects the principles of OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access and Possession) is a shared goal that differentiates this network from other proposals that were considered.

Another unique element is including both colleges and universities, as they traditionally take a different approach to research. The network is designed to maximize the strengths of all contributors.

“Canada is home to world-class researchers, who generate ground-breaking technologies and innovations, and they need support to successfully commercialize their work,” said the Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “Through these networks, researchers will receive the support they need to bring their innovations to market, benefiting communities from coast to coast to coast.”

Canadian researchers continually make discoveries with extraordinary potential across all sectors of the economy and society, but additional guidance and support is required for their ideas to become the next great products and processes.

The infrastructure and expertise in industry-facing applied research found at Canada’s colleges and polytechnic institutions is critical for translating university-led academic research into innovation for the market and community users.

“This investment is a significant step in supporting Canadian researchers by giving them the tools, resources and support they need to turn their ideas into real-world solutions,” said the Hon. Terry Duguid, Minister of Sports and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, who was at RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus to make the announcement.

“By connecting academic research with industry, we are helping to create new opportunities for innovation and economic growth across Canada.”

The new network will provide researchers with what they need to transfer scientific, social and service innovation to market or to community users. This support includes the sharing of best practices, digital resources to enhance awareness and knowledge of commercialization processes, mentorship and business coaching, financial assistance and access to an established Canada-wide network of Technology Access Centres.

RRC Polytech’s strong reputation for collaboration, central location and commitment to deepening partnerships and Truth and Reconciliation made it a natural fit to lead the network — another first, considering its size and scope.

“The college, university, community and industry partners in this initiative are the links in a chain of innovation and entrepreneurialism,” said Dr. Jolen Galaugher, RRC Polytech’s Executive Director, Research Partnerships and Innovation.

“By working together to ramp up productivity through the commercialization of Canadian research and IP, we’ll enhance our global competitiveness and positively affect all aspects of life for Canadians — economic, social or environmental.”

The Lab to Market initiative provides stable, long-term funding for all disciplines within the natural sciences, engineering, the social sciences, the humanities and health. RRC Polytech will immediately begin building capacity to lead its network of participants dedicated to fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem that accelerates the economic and societal impact of Canadian research.

“Lab to Market grants bridge the gap between research ideas and their translation into economic and social innovation,” said NSERC President Alejandro Adem. “I can’t wait to see the results that will emerge from this new initiative.”

Co-applicant institutions:
British Columbia Institute of Technology, Cégep de Sherbrooke, Cégep de Thetford, College of the North Atlantic, Humber Polytechnic, Lethbridge College, Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology, MacEwan University, Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology, Mount Saint Vincent University, New Brunswick Community College, NorQuest College, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Northwestern Polytechnic, Nova Scotia Community College, Olds College, Red Deer Polytechnic, Saint Mary’s University, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Selkirk College, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, University College of the North, University of Alberta, University of Lethbridge, University of Manitoba, University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, University of Waterloo, Western University, Yukon University

Collaborating partners:
MTA, NorthForge, Mitacs, Polytechnics Canada, Tech Access Canada, C2R2, Applied Pharmaceuticals Innovation, Edmonton Regional Innovation Network, CARIN, Calgary Innovation Coalition, Innovation Saskatchewan, Cultivate by Conexus, Synchronex, Axelys, Springboard Atlantic, Atlantic Colleges Atlantique

RRC Polytech will operate on holiday hours from noon on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.

During the break, the Notre Dame and Exchange District campuses will be closed and there will be no access. Regular hours of operation will resume at 6am on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.

We wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday season!

RRC Polytech welcomed Manitobans to the Notre Dame Campus today, as part of the 20th anniversary celebration of its Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI) enterprise.

A gateway to applied research since its establishment in 2004, RPI connects industry and community partners with RRC Polytech’s comprehensive array of facilities, technology and expertise in collaborative projects that bring innovative ideas to life.

As part of the event, guests toured RRC Polytech’s research labs and areas, saw demonstrations of its leading-edge technology and engaged with faculty, professional research staff and students to learn how applied research projects connect all areas of the College and are driving our province into the future.

“As Manitoba’s polytechnic, RRC Polytech is committed to creating change through innovation and using the knowledge and tools that we offer to benefit our communities and the industries that our graduates will soon be leading,” says Fred Meier, RRC Polytech’s President and CEO.

“Applied research projects drive progress while providing students with invaluable experience through work-integrated learning. We’re eager to build on the incredible success stories we’ve shared with our partners over the last 20 years and to explore new opportunities to find solutions for real-world challenges.”

With 135 researchers and more than 600 students directly involved annually, along with applied research training enabled by research infrastructure in more than 60 courses, RRC Polytech is consistently named a top research college in Canada.

The College’s three NSERC-funded Technology Access Centres (TACs) and other various research facilities and resources are focal points for advancing knowledge, fostering collaboration and accelerating commercialization — with thousands of square feet of space to develop, test and create solutions to support small, medium and large enterprises and communities.

“We are proud to support RRC Polytech’s wide range of critical applied research projects because their creative collaborations with industry and community build on the strengths of the region and further diversify Manitoba’s economy to create opportunities for everyone,” says Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs and PrairiesCan.

“Polytechnics not only train the workforce of tomorrow but also support businesses with access to state-of-art facilities and by providing guidance on the research and development of new processes and products in various stages of technology readiness levels. Twenty years is a tremendous milestone, and we look forward to their future successes.”

Projects range from the development of the world’s first all-electric tundra buggies for Frontiers North Adventures in Churchill and the testing of cold spray technology to repair aircrafts with StandardAero to supporting CancerCare Manitoba during the COVID-19 Pandemic and studying the Abecedarian Approach in child care to partnering with Opaskwayak Cree Nation to develop food products for their community, just to name a few.

In its 20 years of existence, RPI has driven Manitoba forward economically, environmentally, socially and culturally – positioning the province for success in a globally competitive environment.

“RRC Polytech’s two decades of helping small- and medium-sized enterprises in Manitoba grow and evolve through applied research that spurs innovation is cause for celebration,” says Hon. Mike Moroz, Minister of Innovation and New Technology.

“As a former educator, I also commend how the College includes students in research activities — while they learn. Technology and innovation shape all facets of our society and economy; we need workforces and communities that are fluent and confident in this environment and that learning begins in the classroom.”

The applied research administered by RPI and conducted across all programs is foundational to RRC Polytech’s identity — a polytechnic is defined as an institution that fuels business innovation with applied research expertise. Applied research projects drive economic growth by helping to effectively and affordably solve problems for industry and communities, across all disciplines and sectors, as new products and processes are created.

To date, RPI has completed thousands of projects for clients and continues to expand its areas of specialization to:
• Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics
• Cleantech with focus on EV and building efficiency
• Health, nutrition and social sciences with focus on culinary research and food innovation
• Early childhood development research
• Enabling adoption of digital technologies including AI and automation

“The emerging technology we’re helping to develop amplifies the growing interconnectivity between all sectors, so the future of applied research is dependent on taking a multidisciplinary approach,” says Dr. Jolen Galaugher, Director, Research Partnerships & Innovation at RRC Polytech.

“RPI is uniquely positioned to take a leadership role in strengthening Manitoba’s research innovation ecosystem through its strategic partnerships and by cooperating with other post-secondaries, regional and national research labs, government departments, and industry associations.”

RRC Polytech is the only post-secondary in Canada to deliberately group Research with Indigenous Strategy and Business Development (ISRBD) into one portfolio.

This ensures that our commitment to embed Truth and Reconciliation is always a priority and establishes that all applied research respects the principles of OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access and Possession) when working with and in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. It also creates natural overlaps that accelerate the ability to maximize Indigenous growth opportunities across the province.

“RRC Polytech has been demonstrating what is possible in Manitoba for 20 years. We want to thank our generous funders and supporters, and of course, all of our partners for trusting us to help achieve their goals by transforming their ideas into reality,” says Galaugher. “We look forward to building on those relationships as together, we’ll create a prosperous, sustainable and inclusive future for all.”

Health-care education at RRC Polytech enters a new chapter today with the opening of its new Interdisciplinary Health and Community Services Simulation Centre. This facility, the first of its kind in Manitoba, will begin training the province’s future health leaders in January.

The Simulation Centre is a groundbreaking interdisciplinary facility that will revolutionize health-care training in Manitoba. It’s the first centre in Manitoba to focus on nursing, allied health professions and community services, with 16,630 square feet of state-of-the-art learning space at RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus.

“The Simulation Centre will maximize education opportunities and provide immersive and collaborative training for our health and community care programs,” says Fred Meier, the College’s President and CEO. “As one of the largest trainers of health-care professionals in the province, this is an exciting new frontier in how we can better train and prepare students to be confident in their careers and make an impact in our communities throughout the province.

“Simulation is critical, as it ensures students in all programs have access to immediate experiential training opportunities vital to graduation, gaining experience that helps better prepare them for the clinical environment and being job ready on day one.”

Using state-of-the art, high-fidelity simulation equipment and live actors to create small- and large-scale activities and mock scenarios, the Simulation Centre will provide students from 13 programs with real-world experiences that mirror the realities they will face in the workplace. These training opportunities will equip them to fill vital and in-demand career roles in Manitoba’s health-care system from their first day on the job.

The Simulation Centre was made possible through ongoing support from the Province of Manitoba, who this year invested over $6 million in funding towards the development, along with ongoing operating support – providing a total investment of over $12.5 million.

“This state-of-the-art centre is an example of the high-quality training that is offered right here in Manitoba,” says Renée Cable, Minister of Advanced Education and Training. “Bringing students together from different health disciplines allows our future health-care workers to get hands-on training that reflects the realities of their future workplaces.”

“Together with our partners at RRC Polytech, we’re ensuring that the future of health care in Manitoba is in good hands,” says Uzoma Asagwara, Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care. “Innovative learning opportunities guarantee that future generations of health-care workers are well-equipped to offer top-quality care to Manitobans. I look forward to seeing how the Centre improves students’ education and how, as a result, Manitoba continues to be a top choice for folks wanting to study and work in health care.”

Designed with the future of health-care professions in mind, the Simulation Centre will continue to evolve alongside emerging technological and social innovations, as well as RRC Polytech’s commitments to reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion. The Simulation Centre was designed with Indigenous teaching and practices woven throughout. Each of the debriefing rooms are named after Indigenous healing plants, which are integrated through the Centre. The space also has an Elder’s Room and includes spaces for smudging and ceremonies.

The space was created to accommodate growth in these programs. It has the capacity to train up to 12,000 students each academic year, and up to six simulations can be run at a time in the various simulation spaces. The Simulation Centre is designed to replicate real hospital environments, including multi-patient rooms and an adaptable apartment space that supports a wide range of interdisciplinary scenarios.

The facility also includes a triage station for training health unit clerks, as well as an exam room designed to mimic a health-care practitioner’s space. Several flexible spaces with movable walls can be reconfigured to accommodate large group gatherings or simulations that require non-hospital settings.

Streaming and recording capabilities within the Simulation Centre will allow regional campuses to observe live simulations that can also be viewed in the large lecture theatre adjacent to the space. This will allow a larger audience to engage with and participate in the simulation experience.

Students will train with standardized participant actors to fill the role of patients. The Simulation Centre is also equipped with a diverse range of advanced mannequins, spanning from infant to older adult, to effectively simulate various stages of life.

The Simulation Centre will support new and existing students and provide opportunities for those currently in the workforce to upgrade their skills. A dedicated simulation educator will be available to support industry partners who wish to use the Centre. This educator will assist in developing simulations that align with learning objectives, provide exceptional student experience and uphold the highest standards in simulation.

Transformational gift — the largest in RRC Polytech’s history — positions the College to produce the talent and expertise vital to the continued success and growth of Manitoba’s creative industries.

For more than 70 years, creative thinkers have explored ideas and sharpened their skills at RRC Polytech. Today, a $15-million gift from the Schroeder Foundation paves the way for continued growth and opportunity in the creative arts for the College, its students and the province of Manitoba.

Creative industries are at the core of RRC Polytech, and they are growing in Manitoba thanks to a local talent pool that continues to thrive.

The Schroeder Institute of Entertainment and Media Arts has been created to support those industries — and the province — in reaching the next level in this period of growth by ensuring that a pipeline of newly skilled local talent continues to flow and fill crucial industry roles, while engaging more deeply with industry partners and undertaking exciting opportunities to foster innovation through applied research.

Manitoba is increasingly becoming more competitive in creative areas across the prairies, the country and beyond. More productions are being filmed in Winnipeg and throughout the province, and more creative businesses are opening their doors while local companies are making their mark beyond our borders. Local training and talent are crucial to the success of the businesses that choose to operate here, and that is where RRC Polytech — and the Schroeder Institute — come in.

“RRC Polytech and the Schroeder Foundation have a shared vision for the future and what we can make possible through education, collaboration and research,” says Fred Meier, the College’s President and CEO.

“The Schroeder Foundation’s decision to make this tremendous investment in RRC Polytech reflects that there are visionaries invested in our community who recognize the value of what we are doing here to support students on their way into careers in creative industries. This gift today will enable us to create so many more opportunities for Manitobans and our creative industries together.”

This partnership is a representation of the film-worthy story arc that the Schroeder family and RRC Polytech share — a history of humble beginnings leading to a path of advancing technology and industry, in Canada and beyond.

The Schroeder family and their foundation share the commitment to creating opportunity in Manitoba that RRC Polytech holds as a guiding principle.

RRC Polytech began as a small community college, and after almost a century of continuous growth and innovation, it is now a leader in producing creative talent that is ready to lead Manitoba into the future.

The College’s reputation in creative arts is the result of the relentless creativity and innovative teaching approaches that generation after generation of faculty and staff have brought to their programs.

This gift, and the creation of the new institute, further cements RRC Polytech as a trusted partner that industry can rely on to produce job-ready grads and support existing employees with opportunities to expand their skills.

The Schroeder Institute launches today with 12 core programs and continues to enhance its offerings. Two new programs — Animation and Entertainment Production Management — are poised to launch in the fall of 2025, while industry-informed micro-credential programs designed for current professionals to increase their skillsets will soon be added to the suite of offerings.

The Schroeder Institute is where students push the limits of their skills and build their networks and industry connections. They are taught by instructors with a wealth of industry experience who support them as they learn the skills necessary to break into careers in their chosen fields.

Developed with a 14-person advisory committee deeply entrenched in creative industries to guide programming, the Schroeder Institute will have an edge on what the industry needs.

“In my career in the film industry I have seen some incredible progress that is only going to continue,” says Carole Vivier, Advisory Committee Co-Chair and former CEO and Film Commissioner of Manitoba Film and Music.

“I have hired many RRC Polytech grads, and the possibilities that come from the creation of this institute are beyond exciting. I’m happy to be a part of bringing this to life and eager to see how the Schroeder Institute further supports and grows these industries in the years to come.”

The Schroeder Foundation is an ongoing partner of RRC Polytech, supporting student success through such initiatives as scholarships for their “Schroeder Students.” Now, this latest — and largest — investment of $15 million to ensure top creative-arts programming is a continuation of that support and legacy of giving in the spirit of furthering education.

“Maria and I grew up in Manitoba and will always be Winnipeggers. We believe in the work that RRC Polytech is doing to support students and the industries they aspire to be a part of,” says Walter Schroeder.

“We have lofty goals for the Institute. We believe it can attract creative sector industry partners — and students — from across Canada and around the world to Manitoba and Winnipeg, where they will discover the advantages of working, studying and living here.

“And we believe the Institute can create pathways for secondary learners — like the students we support through Sisler’s CREATE program — to accelerate their careers in their home province. We can’t wait to see these relationships grow with other Winnipeg high schools and we are excited to support the Institute.”

The Schroeder Institute will create a pipeline of newly skilled employees and foster deeper collaboration with industry. For the first time, RRC Polytech is creating an applied research program to foster innovation in emerging technologies in creative sectors.

The College’s ACE Project Space, alongside its Research Partnerships & Innovation team, will undertake projects aimed at establishing Canada’s leadership in animation, virtual production studios and user-experience testing.

Areas of applied-research opportunity within the Schroeder Institute are diverse and immense, from leveraging AI in media creation, to exploring how to best utilize immersive technologies like virtual or augmented reality in productions, and how to reduce the carbon footprint of production.

“Creative industries are thriving across the country, and Manitoba is proving that big things are happening in the heart of the prairies,” says the Hon. Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs. “This investment at RRC Polytech to support post-secondary education and our economies is welcome news.”

Creative arts contribute $1.6 billion to Manitoba’s GDP and comprise more than 3,400 businesses and 20,000 workers. The industry is now supported by the Manitoba Film and Video Production Tax Credit and the Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit.

“I am thrilled to celebrate the launch of the Schroeder Institute, which will allow students to pursue their passions right here in Manitoba,” says the Hon. Renée Cable, Minister of Advanced Education and Training.

“My deepest gratitude to RRC Polytech for their unwavering commitment to student success and their leadership in fostering collaboration with community and industry partners.”

Headquartered in Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, and located in the heart of the Exchange District, the Schroeder Institute gives students direct access to the creative core of Winnipeg, while they learn in state-of-the-art facilities with top industry-grade equipment and tools.

“This is an exciting time for Winnipeggers looking to break into creative fields,” says Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham. “From film production to video game design to the arts, Winnipeg is a hub for creative industries, and RRC Polytech is nurturing the talent that makes our city an attractive home for these companies and productions.”

“This gift from Walter and Maria through the Schroeder Foundation towards RRC Polytech’s comprehensive campaign, In Front of What’s Ahead, is a rare example of truly transformational philanthropy that uplifts our community, industry partners and students for generations to come,” says David Petis, the College’s Executive Director, Advancement.

“It demonstrates what is possible with the support of community partners who believe in the value of a polytechnic education and providing opportunities for young people looking to break into industries they are passionate about.”

This week, RRC Polytech unveiled its new Indigenous entrepreneurship acceleration and incubation initiative, Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah (Mittohnee), in the Roundhouse of Manitou a bi Bii daziigae — the College’s downtown hub for technology, collaboration and community.

A first of its kind in Manitoba, Mittohnee transforms experiential learning, entrepreneurship and innovation into business opportunities for Indigenous Peoples in Manitoba.

“Creating opportunities to advance Indigenous entrepreneurship is a role that RRC Polytech must play as we continue to support student success in Manitoba,” says Jamie Wilson, the College’s Vice-President, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development.

“Lifelong learning is second nature and something we pass down from generation to generation. Mittohnee Pogo’otah (Mittohnee) is such a lesson, one my father learned in his youth from an older member of our community on a hunting trip. It means ‘If you are going to do it, do it right. If you don’t know how to do it right, learn how.’ This is where we can bring together the discipline and innovation to learn how.”

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, leveraging existing capacity and addressing relevant recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 96 Calls to Action.

It also supports established Indigenous entrepreneurs or band-operated businesses looking to pivot, scale up or enter new joint ventures by serving as an experienced, independent third party.

The College’s ability to remove barriers and create better access for Indigenous entrepreneurs to become successful and drive the province forward is made possible by the power of partnerships with the federal and provincial governments, and generous corporate partners like TD Bank Group and Canada Life.

“Through Mittohnee, we will create the space and provide the right resources and mentorship to help transform the business ideas that Indigenous students develop in the classroom into successful ventures that can positively impact their community,” says Wilson.

“This is a uniquely Manitoba example of economic reconciliation in action, and with support from the province, alongside other funders, this will be the first post-secondary institution to offer this unique initiative here in the province.”

Mittohnee is one of six projects sharing $3.9 million of federal funding toward economic reconciliation and cultural diversity in Manitoba.

RRC Polytech received $1.5 million of the total announced yesterday by Dan Vandal, minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, and Northern Affairs.

“Our government is committed to creating economic opportunities and ensuring everyone gets a fair shake,” Vandal said in a news release. “By making strategic investments that support Indigenous entrepreneurship and communities, we open up new opportunities.

“Today’s investments will provide training and mentorship, assist entrepreneurs to take risks, and help businesses grow.”

The province’s Department of Indigenous Economic Reconciliation contributed just over $773,000 to help ensure Indigenous students and entrepreneurs have the supports and connections they need to stay in Manitoba to build their careers and their businesses.

“The Manitoba government is proud to support RRC Polytech’s new incubator and accelerator program for Indigenous students,” says Ian Bushie, Minister of Indigenous Economic Reconciliation.

“The Mitthonee Pogo’ohtah program will help Indigenous entrepreneurs make connections with business leaders, drive made-in-Manitoba innovation, and create good jobs.”

Mittohnee is a natural but significant extension of everything RRC Polytech has to offer, and especially of its experience in supporting Indigenous students and communities with social innovation education and programming.

While much of what will be delivered will be based on an extensive stakeholder consultation, the plan currently includes the delivery and/or co-creation of:

• an entrepreneur-in-residence/mentorship program
• acceleration services, seminars and networking events
• student competitions
• applied research and innovation projects
• dedicated spaces for meeting and incubation of Indigenous entrepreneurs

Yesterday’s event also marked the announcement of Mittohnee’s first director. Amy Jackson, a member of Opaskwayak Cree Nation, and a dedicated community connector and entrepreneur who founded online business Nativelovenotes, will lead this new initiative for the College.

For more than a decade, Jackson has worked alongside provincial and federal governments in northern Manitoba, and through these experiences has deepened her understanding of public service and community advocacy.

RRC Polytech has become the first post-secondary in Manitoba to the sign the SDG Accord, committing to embed the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its education, research, leadership, operations, administration and engagement activities.

The 17 SDGs represent an ambitious call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. They align with the values in RRC Polytech’s strategic plan and directly support the College’s commitments.

“Our primary objective is training the workforce of today and tomorrow, so we are uniquely positioned to lead transformative change and build a more sustainable future — and the SDGs are a valuable tool to help us focus our efforts,” says RRC Polytech President Fred Meier.

“Sustainability is a journey without a final destination, so we’re prepared and excited to build on the current initiatives led by our Environmental Stewardship and Campus Renewal team and broaden our approach to include research, academics and all areas of College operations.”

The SDGs are a global blueprint for all people around the world to improve health and education, reduce inequality, spur economic growth and tackle climate change. They aim to achieve peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. While each goal has its own separate objective, they are indivisibly linked and interdependent.

“We can’t have good health and well-being without clean water, and we can’t have sustainable, inclusive communities without reducing inequality,” says Sustainability Specialist Stephanie Fulford. “So while the goals are ambitious, they reflect the scope of our global challenges, give us real targets to strive toward and a pathway to achieve them.”

“We also recognize that to achieve these goals will require all of us, in every sector of society, to work together — which is why formally signing the accord is so important.”

The SDG Accord is a commitment that learning institutions are making to one another to do more to deliver the goals, to annually report on progress, and to do so in ways that share learning between institutions, both nationally and internationally.

It is a worldwide partnership, representing 361 institutions and 85 countries, designed to inspire, celebrate and advance the critical role that education has in delivering the goals and the value they bring to governments, business and wider society.

In signing the accord, RRC Polytech pledges to:
• Align all major efforts with the SDGs, targets and indicators.
• Aim to involve members from all key stakeholder groups in this endeavor, including students, academics, professional staff, local communities and other external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with other signatory institutions as part of a collective international response.
• Share its learning.
• Annually report on its progress toward the SDGs by answering the questions “how does my institution contribute to the SDGs and what more can we do?”

To demonstrate the SDGs’ impact in the classroom and in the community, Ginger Arnold, Indigenous Education instructor, presented the course material she’s developed based on the global blueprint.

Arnold teaches Social Innovation and Community Development at the College, and after joining an internal panel exploring the interconnected nature of the SDGs at RED Forum — a staff and faculty professional development day — last spring, she identified them as an excellent opportunity to connect with her students, many of whom attended the on-campus signing ceremony last week.

“We can naturally braid Truth and Reconciliation with the Sustainable Development Goals because each of the goals have environmental, economic or social benefits that can be aligned within the six categories outlined in the 94 Calls to Action: child welfare, education, language and culture, health, justice, and reconciliation,” Arnold says.

“Having a better understanding of these relationships will help our graduates drive change in their communities as they work to plan alternative tomorrows with hope.”

Sustainability is much more complex than just overcoming environmental challenges. It also means continuously adapting resource use for maximum efficiency with minimal environmental impact and collaborating to expand the reach of the College through connection and communication.

See the full list of signatories.

RRC Polytech and Siemens, a global digital technology leader, have partnered to deliver the first courses and programs available to Manitobans through the College’s new Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics.

The Level 1 Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification program — the first of its kind in Manitoba — is accepting registrations and is open to recent graduates of RRC Polytech’s manufacturing programs, as well as workers in the manufacturing industry who are looking to upskill and reskill. Students who complete the Level 1 program will also have the opportunity to enrol in Level 2 later in 2024.

“The Price Institute was established to meet the emerging needs of Manitoba’s manufacturing sector by providing opportunities for students and those currently employed in the sector to access leading-edge training and applied research,” says Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech.

“These first offerings from the Price Institute present an exciting first step in answering the call for training that advances technology adoption across all areas of manufacturing and embeds Industry 4.0 concepts.”

Alongside the first offering of the Siemens program in Manitoba, the Price Institute will offer a suite of micro-credentials starting later this fall with an Introduction to Ethical Hacking and more offerings beginning in 2024 that include Cloud Computing, Data Analysis and Intro to IT Automation.

“Finding and retaining skilled talent is a priority for industries across the country,” says Joris Myny, Senior Vice-President, Digital Industries, Siemens Canada.

“To meet this demand, it is crucial that the tools, opportunities and networks are made available to students and to a current workforce looking to upskill. We congratulate RRC Polytech on the establishment of the Price Institute, and look forward to partnering in support of industry in Manitoba.”

The Manitoba chapter of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) reported having 2,130 job vacancies in the third quarter of 2022, citing a shortage of advanced skills. These initial and future offerings through the Price Institute are essential to upskilling and reskilling to narrow the skills gap in this vital sector in Manitoba’s economy.

While these offerings are just the beginning, they represent the leading-edge subject matter and collaboration between industry and academia that Dr. Gerry Price envisioned would occur at the Price Institute.

For more information on RRC Polytech’s Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics, visit rrc.ca/priceinstitute.

To register and learn more about the Price Institute’s Siemens Mechatronics Systems and Certification program or our upcoming micro-credentials, visit rrc.ca/amm.

RRC Polytech has partnered with Graphic Design graduate Leticia Spence — an Ininew artist and entrepreneur from Pimicikamak in Treaty 5 Territory — to create an original design for Orange Shirt Day and Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is tomorrow, Sept. 30.

“Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters is a solemn day where we recognize and honour residential school survivors and those who never made it back to their families,” says Carla Kematch, Director, Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement at RRC Polytech.

“It’s a day where we take action and raise awareness of the efforts that Indigenous communities and advocates make to find Indigenous children and bring them home. The world needs to know what happened at residential schools and why this work is important. Expressing our message through Indigenous art, teachings and symbolism is how we can heal.

“We’re so honoured to have worked with artist and alumna Leticia Spence. She shared her knowledge and skill to help convey this message of justice and created such a striking and meaningful representation of Every Child Matters.”

Spence graduated from the College in 2019 and has done work for Indigenous Tourism of Canada, the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, among many other organizations. She created the new Orange Shirt design in consultation with a committee of Indigenous staff members at RRC Polytech.

Spence’s design is intricate and intentional. As with the beadwork she observed family members creating while she was growing up, she wanted to ensure that the Orange Shirt design incorporated the intended energy represented by the Every Child Matters movement.

“I want whoever is wearing this t-shirt to feel a sense of hope and strength as they honour those who are currently being found, while also knowing that it’s okay to create space to honour themselves, as either direct residential school survivors or intergenerational survivors,” says Spence.

The design features a tree made up of florals, medicines and roots. Hummingbirds flank the tree, surrounded by rosehips, rosebuds and berries. First Nations, the Métis Nation, and the Inuit Nation are represented by symbols deeply intertwined with each nation: the cardinal directions, a wild rose forming an infinity, and fireweed flowers.

Every stroke and line forms a deliberate connection to Indigenous People — even the physical linework reflects Ininiwak beadwork, a traditional artform passed down through the generations. Every purchase of the shirt includes an artist’s statement, written by Spence, outlining the many representations present in the design.

This year, RRC Polytech also partnered with Red Rebel Armour — owned and operated by Indigenous Social Entrepreneurship graduate Sean Rayland-Boubar, of Peguis First Nation — to produce the shirts.

“My Brothers’ and Sisters’ voices were silenced for too long,” says Rayland-Boubar. “To me, Orange Shirt Day means giving a voice to all the children who were robbed of their culture, family, strength and song. A song that never had a chance to be heard, a drum that never found its rhythm.

“A celebration of spirit that should have had a lifetime to flow with the rivers, run with the wind, connect their spirit in ceremony and follow the path that Creator had laid out. It’s about Reconciliation, bringing the darkness to light and talking about the truth.”

Shirts are available for purchase at the RRC Polytech Campus Stores, with all proceeds going to support the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award when applications open in January 2024.

Mínwastánikéwin is a Cree word meaning to set it right; the award, valued at $1,000, is intended to alleviate some of the financial burden Indigenous students may experience each year.

In 2022, artist Peatr Thomas created the first RRC Polytech Orange Shirt, the proceeds of which, along with a $1,000 donation from the RRC Polytech Students’ Association, allowed for two students to receive the award in February 2023.

This year marks the fifth annual Truth and Reconciliation Week at RRC Polytech. Events span over two weeks, including nearly 20 student-, staff- and community-led sessions and self-guided resources aimed at educating the College community about the many different facets and responsibilities of Truth and Reconciliation.

This year, nearly 90 volunteers from all areas of the College joined the TRC Week Planning Committee to help organize events, activities and learning opportunities.