Red Deer Polytechnic Indigenous Services

We are excited to welcome students back on campus this fall!

📆 Join us September 8th for our Indigenous Student Welcome Smudge event! Find more information on the poster below! 📚🧡

Join Red Deer Polytechnic Indigenous Services!

We’re excited to share an opportunity to join our team as Dean, Indigenous Initiatives.

This leadership role will help advance Indigenous education at RDP and support the institution’s ongoing work in reconciliation, anti-oppressive education, and Indigenous student success.

If you’re passionate about Indigenous education, relationship-building, and creating meaningful institutional change, we encourage you to learn more about the position.

🔗 View the full posting and apply: employment.rdpolytech.ca/postings/7627

Red Deer Polytechnic and Red Deer Polytechnic Indigenous Services are seeking to fill the position of Dean, Indigenous Initiatives, reporting to the Associate Vice President, Student Experience. This role is responsible for the strategic, academic, and administrative leadership for prioritizing the infusion of Indigenous epistemologies and ways of knowing across curriculum and service areas.

The position sets the vision and direction for Indigenous education and provides leadership to Red Deer Polytechnic’s institutional response and commitment to decolonization, truth and reconciliation, anti-oppressive education, and the development and organization of services and initiatives that support excellence in post-secondary Indigenous education and the success of Indigenous students at Red Deer Polytechnic.

This position provides leadership as a conduit to many relationships internal and external. From students to Indigenous communities and stakeholders, this position ensures that institutional initiatives and engagement are implemented in a way that supports these communities and the strategic direction.

Red Deer Polytechnic’s main campus is located on Treaty 7, Treaty 6 and Métis ancestral lands. This is where we will strive to honour and transform our relationships with one another.

Whatever brings you to Red Deer Polytechnic, we are glad you are here. And we look forward to having you as a valued member of our polytechnic community.

Find out more info here: employment.rdpolytech.ca/postings/7627

✨ Faculty Spotlight ✨

There's always someone with an inspiring story to share. This month, we're excited to introduce one of the incredible faculty members who helps make our Indigenous community at RDP so welcoming and impactful.
This month, we're excited to recognize Lindsay Hawrylak, a Cree–Métis Indigenous Studies Instructor and Indigenous Scholar at Red Deer Polytechnic. Through her teaching, Lindsay is passionate about fostering cultural understanding, meaningful learning, and creating spaces where Indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing are celebrated.

Beyond the classroom, Lindsay is an active member of the Indigenous Events Committee, helping plan and support Indigenous events throughout the year. She was an invaluable part of this year's Culture Camp and is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for students to engage with Indigenous cultures, perspectives, and community.

When she's not teaching, Lindsay enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and boating, as well as making the most of her time with her family and dog. Whether in the classroom or out in the community, she values creating meaningful connections and sharing experiences with those around her.

Lindsay's dedication to Indigenous education, student success, and community engagement continues to make a meaningful impact across Red Deer Polytechnic. Thank you, Lindsay, for everything you do to inspire, educate, and uplift those around you!

We are pleased to share an upcoming opportunity for those interested in Early Learning and Child Care, Indigenous knowledge, and strengthening connections through education.

The Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Conference is a collaboration between Montana First Nation (Treaty 6) and Red Deer Polytechnic, bringing together Indigenous ways of being, knowledge sharing, and early childhood learning.

This conference will provide an opportunity to learn from Nêhiyawêwin (Cree) and Niitsítapi (Blackfoot) perspectives while exploring how Indigenous knowledge can continue to enrich early learning and child development programming.

We encourage those interested to learn more and connect with the event organizers.

For questions or additional information, please contact Charlene Bruno at [email protected].

Please note: this event is being shared as an opportunity and is not hosted by Indigenous Initiatives.

This month has been filled with incredible opportunities to connect with youth from across Alberta and Canada! 🌿🥍

We were proud to welcome many young people to our campus, where they had the chance to experience hands-on learning and explore Indigenous culture and future educational pathways.

Highlights:
✨ Learning how to create dreamcatchers using tree branches and sinew.
🥍 Discovering and playing lacrosse, Canada's National Summer Sport.
📚 Indigenous story time with Grade 2 students from Red Deer Public School's Reading College
🎓 Welcoming Indigenous youth from the MESC Indigenous Career Camp and Samson Cree Nation's Career Exploration Group for campus tours, presentations about our programs, and conversations about what makes our learning community unique.

Thank you to all the students, educators, and community partners who joined us. We look forward to continuing to inspire, support, and empower the next generation as they explore their futures!

Interested to learn more about Indigenous services? Connect with one of our RDP Indigenous Services staff at https://rdpolytech.ca/information/indigenous-students/indigenous-student-services ☀️

✨ Introducing our Student Spotlight Series! ✨

We're excited to launch our new Student Spotlight series! Each month, we'll introduce an Indigenous student from our community, sharing their story, experiences, and advice for others. To kick things off, meet Dianne Danielson!

🪡🧵Dianne is one of our Métis students who spends her time balancing her studies in the Business Certificate program while sharing culture, creativity, and community with those around her.

Originally from Manitoba, Dianne moved to Red Deer with her family in 2011 and is currently reconnecting with her Métis heritage. As a descendant of the original Red River Métis, Jean Baptiste Lagimodiere, and Marie Ann Gaboury, she takes pride in learning more about her family's roots from both Manitoba and Alberta.

When she's not studying, Dianne is building toward her dream of owning a long-arm quilting business with a dedicated Indigenous section that celebrates culture and craftsmanship. During her time at RDP, she has expanded her cultural knowledge through beading with the Indigenous Student Centre and has even shared her own skills by leading ribbon skirt workshops.

Dianne's advice for fellow students: "Knowledge is power. The more you learn, the more opportunities you create for yourself and the less likely you are to be taken advantage of. Stay curious, stay connected, and make time for the people who matter. Awareness is key."

Thank you, Dianne, for sharing your story and helping create community at RDP. 💚💜

Meet the team!

Meet the team!

On National Indigenous Peoples Day, RDP acknowledges the traditions, cultures and profound contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. To celebrate, we want to highlight RDP's dedicated Indigenous Student Services team! Meet Justice Soosay, Indigenous Student Success Coordinator! She is proud Nehiyaw iskwew (Cree woman) from Samson Cree Nation and an alumna of Red Deer Polytechnic, where she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration.

In her role at Red Deer Polytechnic, Justice is dedicated to supporting Indigenous learners through academic advising, connecting students with funding opportunities and resources, and helping them access supports both within RDP and throughout the broader community.

Guided by a commitment to student success and Indigenous ways of knowing, Justice works to create welcoming and supportive learning environments where students feel empowered to achieve their educational goals. She is passionate about building relationships, fostering connections, and helping learners navigate their educational journey with confidence and cultural support.

Words of Advice: “As you begin your journey, be open to making new connections and building relationships with peers, faculty, and staff. Don't hesitate to reach out for support when you need it - there are many people and resources available to help you succeed. Most importantly, make a full commitment to your goals and personal growth, as your dedication and perseverance will be key to achieving success.”

Check back on our socials to meet the rest of the team!

RDP Community! Come out and join us for loom beading! 🙂