Photo courtesy of RDP.
Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) celebrated the completion of the Pónokaisissáhta Indigenous Student Centre on Jan. 23.
The Pónokaisissáhta Centre provides a welcoming environment where Indigenous students, and all members of the Polytechnic community, can access personalized advising, cultural programming, and opportunities for connection.
The celebration featured a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, an open house with storytelling, live music from Métis Fiddler Billy Joseph, and a tour of the newly completed space.
Guests could also connect with RDP’s Indigenous Initiatives team to learn more about the services offered and the centre’s role in supporting student success.
“By having our student centre, it allows us as an institution, myself as a Dean and our staff members to address the unique needs of the Indigenous student population here at RDP,” said Lloyd Desjarlais, Dean of Indigenous Initiatives.
Photo courtesy of RDP.
The Pónokaisissáhta Indigenous Student Centre is designed to be a place where students can feel a sense of belonging, access resources, and celebrate Indigenous culture.
The centre is part of RDP’s Reconcili-Action Plan to foster reconciliation through education, engagement, and community-building.
“Part of our responsibility to Indigenous students is not only bringing more Indigenous students into our learning environments but ensuring they are successful,” said Stuart Cullum, RDP president. “This space does so many things, but it also ensures that Indigenous students have a space to go to study, to learn, to meditate, and to do ceremony.”
Students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to visit the Pónokaisissáhta Indigenous Student Centre on RDP’s main campus.
**With information provided by RDP
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