The Assiniboine Effect - Winter 2024

The Assiniboine

EFFECT Winter 2024

AN ODE TO THE ODR

Media graduate, Randy Frykas, pays tribute to one of Canada’s most treasured hockey venues

INTRODUCING THE PETERS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Gord & Diane Peters, longtime business and community leaders, honour Assiniboine with their name

AALIYAH DOMINIQUE-TAYLOR

A graduate of both Culinary Arts and Baking Foundations recounts her journey to television 1

CONTENTS 3

Practical Nursing Dean recognized for leadership

24 An ode to the ODR

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Alumni Spotlight: Kelsey Hall

26 Students recieve nearly $700K in financial awards

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Introducing the Peters School of Business

A Culinary Arts and Baking Foundations grad’s journey to television

10 University grads can level up training at Assiniboine 11

Future career takes flight

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Rocking their inaugural season

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Alumni events calendar

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Celebrating 45 years of ag at Assiniboine

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Unveiling the Edwards School brand

Aaliyah Dominique-Taylor shares her story

29 Parkland Campus accepts ceremonial buffalo skull from Pine Creek First Nation

20 Edwards invests in student awards 21

More on page 28

30 Leech Group celebrates fourth generation in business with generous gift

Agribusiness: It‘s all in the family

22 Cenovus Energy supports Prairie Innovation Centre

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Fall graduates ready to bolster the labour market

23 Student successes made possible by donors

CONGRATULATIONS, GRANT NICOL Communications Engineering Technology instructor, Grant Nicol, has been awarded a lifetime membership to the Certified Technicians & Technologists Association of Manitoba (CTTAM) for his efforts building awareness and participation in the communications engineering technology field.

CTTAM. In past number of years, he has served as the president of the organization, in addition to spending 5-years as a national director for the group—all in a volunteer capacity. He holds a CET designation from CTTAM, as well as certification with the International Engineering Technologist certification (IntET).

Nicol was honoured at the groups AGM and awards evening in October in Winnipeg.

Recommendations for the award are made by unanimous decision of the Board of Directors, with the distinction going to those who have made exceptional contributions to the association and the work they hope to accomplish.

“I think it is a pretty great honour to be recognized by a group of my peers. The CTTAM is all run by volunteers that are all Certified Engineering Technicians or Certified Engineering Technologists, so we all have a vested interest in the success of the organization. I got involved with volunteering with the group because I wanted to give back. The college has been great in supporting me with this, and I’m proud to accept the award of membership” said Nicol following the ceremony.

First joining the Assiniboine 25-years ago, Nicol found his involvement grow approximately 13 years ago as he took on greater roles and responsibilities with

During his time with CTTAM, Nicol was also instrumental in developing a student chapter of the organization. Assiniboine is the sole post-secondary with students sitting as members of CTTAM, and Nicols feels it is a great opportunity for students to gain exposure to the organization and find supports and opportunities post-graduation.

PRACTICAL NURSING DEAN RECOGNIZED

p i h s r e for Lead Suzanne Nicolas, Assiniboine‘s Dean of Nursing, has received a Community Leadership Award from the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority (IERHA).

Nicolas joined the college in 2018 and has been an instrumental leader for Assiniboine’s Practical Nursing program. She helped establish the School of Nursing at Assiniboine and has guided a significant expansion of Practical Nursing programs across Manitoba.

“It is a tremendous honour to be recognized for this award. I think it speaks to how important nursing is to our province, and how Assiniboine continues to be a provincial leader in delivering nursing education,” says Nicolas.

“Our graduates are serving the communities they live in; they are having an impact on the health of their region and are committed to good healthcare outcomes in Manitoba.

This award reflects all those efforts and I’m honoured to celebrate that.”

By recognizing the need for education and training close to home, Assiniboine’s Practical Nursing program has been a key support in Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority’s approach to meeting their needs. Most recently, Assiniboine hosted a rural rotating

Practical Nursing site in Arborg, with intakes in January 2021 and September 2022. The Interlake-Eastern RHA was able to hire 16 graduates from the first intake, with more set to enter the nursing field as they graduate from the second intake this spring.

“Since 2010, Assiniboine has offered the Licensed Practical Nursing program more than 10 times in the Interlake-Eastern region in Ashern, Selkirk, Pine Falls and Arborg,” says IERHA CEO, Marion Ellis. “This award recognizes Suzanne Nicolas for her commitment to providing locally accessible education opportunities within the region.”

The college has permanent Practical Nursing programs in Brandon, Winnipeg, Dauphin, and Portage la Prairie, in addition to hosting rural rotating Practical Nursing sites across the province.

Upcoming rural sites will be hosted in Beausejour, Morden, Otterburne, Virden and Neepawa.

For more information about the Practical Nursing program and available intakes, visit assiniboine.net/nursing.

DO YOU KNOW AN

OUTSTANDING ACC ALUMNUS? Assiniboine Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for the following awards in each of the Westman and Parkland regions:

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

ONE TO WATCH

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

Nominations close May 31, 2024

Forms are available at assiniboine.net/alumniawards or for more information email alumni@assiniboine.net.

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

l l a H y e s l Ke From learning at Assiniboine to helping advance the next generation When Kelsey Hall was a student completing her education and practicum in Early Childhood Education, she was looking forward to what she would do following her graduation. A little more than a year and a half later, Kelsey is using the skills gained to help advance the next generation of kind, educated children.

From a young age, Kelsey knew she wanted to work with kids. After high school, she started working at an early learning centre in Virden, gaining valuable experience that she credits for helping her choose this career path.

“The staff, families and children all helped shape me into who I am today and motivated me truly to pursue the career as an ECE,” says Hall.

Kelsey takes her role as a mentor and role model to the children she educates seriously.

The most important thing I feel they teach you in school is the importance of communication and building/maintaining a positive and trusting relationship with staff, children and their families.

Without that relationship, it’s very difficult to do the rest successfully.

She transitioned from learning at Assiniboine to working at the Assiniboine Early Learning Centre (AELC) for her practicum, and following graduation, earned herself a full-time role as an Early Childhood Educator at the Centre.

She is thankful to have kept this connection to the college and looks forward to mentoring future students who, like her, will come through the doors of the AELC for their practicums.

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“I help raise the future generation, which is a very busy but important role,” she says. “I feel that not only do I have the important role of working with children, but I have the privilege of working closely with students in the Early Childhood Education program by modeling our abilities and mentoring them to be their best.“ Through her time as a student, Kelsey also learned the importance of process art, learning domains and how to design and arrange a classroom to indirectly guide children’s behaviours.

“We believe that children learn best through play. During play, we expand on teachable moments, ask open-ended questions, help children learn to problem solve, guide behaviours directly and indirectly, facilitate healthy social interactions, and assist them in risky play.”

Kelsey continually finds herself reflecting back to classroom discussions to help her problem solve, recognizing that no two children learn the same.

The lesson plans that were taught in the program provided activities to

support children’s individual physical, cognitive, social, language and emotional development while supporting or expanding on learning experiences through their current interests. These lessons have proven to be very valuable tools for her daily toolbox.

“I had incredible instructors that made learning fun and memorable for me; they taught me in such a way that reflecting back is easy and puts a smile on my face. I also know if I was to need further guidance or if I had questions with real-life situations today, they would respond or find a way to give me the tools and advice I need, which is a wonderful feeling.”

Through consistent pursuit of upskilling her learning, Kelsey seeks out courses through the Institute of Child Psychology and other courses and workshops offered in her field.

She hopes to continue this pursuit and enrol in the Early Childhood Program Management advanced diploma at Assiniboine in the future. When asked what advice she has for anyone interested in pursuing a career in Early Childhood Education, she says that “It’s important to have an open mind about all that you learn, have patience and overall have passion for what you do. It’s so much more than just playing with children all day.“ “This career is a huge and busy responsibility. It is also a very rewarding and heartwarming job because of the children, knowing that we are playing a part in shaping our future generation, raising kind and educated children.”

For more on ECE programs, visit assiniboine.net/eceprograms.

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THE PETERS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

With their transformational $10M gift, Gord & Diane Peters advance the vision for School of Business

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Gord and Diane Peters

g n i c u d o r Int

Gord and DIane Peters with their grandaughter and son.

Assiniboine’s School of Business took a major leap forward in December, with the introduction of the Peters School of Business.

As part of the plan for continued growth, Assiniboine‘s Board of Governors made the decision to name the School of Business in honour of well-known community and business leaders, and long-time champions for Assiniboine, Gord and Diane Peters.

“Gord’s success in building a hugely successful business, born in Manitoba, is inspirational and a great example for students coming through the Peters School,” said Assiniboine President, Mark Frison. “Marrying our brand to a couple who have built this business in a way that’s both socially conscious and innovative is extremely meaningful. This naming represents the synergy between the Peters’ reputation and ambition and Assiniboine’s.”

The Peters are life-long residents of Westman. Gord’s most notable success

We are honored to be able to establish The Peters School of Business and give students the opportunity to achieve the success we’ve been fortunate to have experienced.

- Diane Peters

came from co-founding Cando Rail & Terminals, a small rail line dismantling and salvage company, in 1978. He has been a leader in the Manitoba business community for more than 45 years, serving on many Chamber of Commerce boards, both locally and nationally, and being recognized with a number of awards for his success in business.

Diane is an alumnae of the College’s Practical Nursing program and Gord was the first recipient of an Honorary Diploma from Assiniboine in 2009.

Incredibly hardworking, yet modest in his success as an entrepreneur and generosity as a lifelong philanthropist, Peters believes in setting up those around him for success.

“I co-founded Cando Rail & Terminals right here in Brandon, and believe with the right tools, education and support, the next industry business leaders will come from right here at the Peters School,” said Gord.

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Gord and Diane Peters also announced a gift of $10 million toward the Schoolin December—the largest donation ever received, both by the college and in the Westman region, from an individual, family or business.

Assiniboine President Mark Frison

“We are grateful to be in a position to be able to give back to the school, and support future business leaders,” said Diane. “We are honored to be able to establish The Peters School of Business and give students the opportunity to achieve the success we’ve been fortunate to have experienced.”

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Marrying our brand to a couple who have built this business in a way that’s both socially conscious and innovative is extremely meaningful. This naming represents the synergy between the Peters’ reputation and ambition and Assiniboine’s.

- Mark Frison

Dean, School of Business Terry Burgess

“One success story of the business I was especially proud of was the employee share ownership program that we implemented at Cando. It gave employees a way to invest in themselves and truly own a part of what they did every day. It became quite rewarding for employees who opted in.”

The Peters believe in giving back, whether it be to employees, the community, or education facilities. They are lifelong entrepreneurs and community builders and have been instrumental in many college initiatives, from the development of the Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts, to the Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, and now the School of Business.

“This generous donation from Gord and Diane Peters will make a real and significant difference in the lives of Manitoba business students,” said Renée Cable, Minister of Advanced Education and Training. “This philanthropic investment by the Peters family will ensure that ACC is a world class facility with quality education supporting the advancement of commerce education.”

Gord and Diane continue to share their business knowledge by mentoring young entrepreneurs. Alumnus and friend Charlie Baessler and his wife Jesce at Corcelettes

Gord and Diane Peters with Minister of Advanced Education and Training, Renée Cable and Assiniboine President Mark Frison.

Winery in BC, along with Hailey and Cale Jefferies of Prairie Fava, a growing business out of Glenboro, are entrepreneurs who are benefiting from their mentorship and support.

“They see our vision, and have stepped in to help us transform the lives of our students in a big way,” said Terry Burgess, the newly appointed Dean of the Peters School of Business. “This transformational gift from the Peters will have such an impact on the advances we are making for the future of our School.”

The School of Business has been building momentum for several years, responding to industry needs with new and renewed programs and new avenues to advance its reputation. It was accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)— one of only 11 business schools in Canada to be accredited; introduced several new post-graduate opportunities in the form of one-year advanced diploma programs; welcomed its third intake of the Master of Business Administration in Community Economic Development this year, in partnership with Cape Breton University; maintains agreements and affiliations with several industry associations; and welcomed students to a brand new, leading edge space in the Centre for Creative Media.

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UNIVERSITY GRADS CAN

p u l e v Le g n i n i a tr

Through a variety of post-graduate programs, experienced learners have the next chapter of their lives and careers waiting for them at Assiniboine. As a bonus, they could receive their next level of training with tuition fully covered, thanks to Assiniboine‘s new Elevate Award.

“Our post-graduate credentials are a great opportunity for new university graduates who want to hone their practical skills in a chosen field, or for those who’ve been working in their industry for any number of years and want to sharpen or expand their skill set,” said Mark Frison, President at Assiniboine.

Jeremy Lennon-Gibson graduated from Assiniboine’s Public Safety advanced diploma program after receiving a degree in rhetoric, writing and communications from the University of Winnipeg. He now works as a Community Safety Officer in Ste. Anne, Manitoba, and says that his university experience provided him with transferable skills that aided his success at Assiniboine.

“The advanced diploma program works really well because your degree will prepare you more for the classroom work. And it gives you that sense of “okay, well I’m working towards a legitimate career,” he says.

“I wouldn’t be where I am now without the Public Safety program. It’s been, honestly, the best decision I’ve ever made, I would say…. If you’re looking for something that’s going to give you purpose, if you’re not quite sure that the path you’re on is the one for you, it’s never too late to try something new. You’re never wasting your time with education.”

To find out more about the awards and post-graduate programs, visit assiniboine.net/elevateaward.

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Carlie Johnston, a Sustainable Food Systems graduate, came to Assiniboine after receiving her Bachelor of Medical Science with honours on biochemistry from the University of Western Ontario. Following three summers of employment at the Brandon Research and Development Centre, she realized she was passionate about agriculture and sustainability.

“The instructors are all so knowledgeable and professional. They have really taken the time to ensure we’re ready for employability when we graduate. The handson learning I feel has really prepared us for employment compared to what I’ve mostly experienced in the past with post-secondary, which always involved a lot of theory and studies,” she said while she was in the post-grad program.

She added that “I figured once I got my university education that I was set on my path. I was caught off guard about the program and how much I’m learning.

It’s a perfect fit for me, and I never expected to be here, but I’m so glad I am. It’s a great transition from my biochemistry background to the agriculture field that I want to be a part of.“ Assiniboine’s Elevate Award is a new opportunity for students looking to enhance their professional skills, specialize their expertise or focus their career-relevant training. It provides recipients with the cost of full tuition for the college’s advanced diploma programs.

“Many sectors throughout Manitoba report a labour shortage—skills and knowledge are in high demand,” Frison said. “We hope this will open a door for post-secondary grads that they may not have previously contemplated, to enhance their employability, increase knowledge in their existing field or dive into a new area of expertise.”

FUTURE CAREER TAKES

lf ight

We caught up with Civil Technology student Aidyn Pearce, as he embarks on his second year at Assiniboine.

Boxes I was looking to check when looking at future career paths: » In demand field which I’d easily gain employment post completion » A program with a co-op placement to gain hands-on work experience » Opportunity to try a program without a huge time commitment » Opportunity to transfer my credentials to advance my education afterward

I have countless positive things to say about my time at Assiniboine. The high calibre of instructors here at the college have been instrumental to my success.

Second, the expansive variety of software programs and tools really helped me excel in the program and my co-op placements. Learning with the hands-on approach you’ll find here at the college has helped me become proficient in CAD software, survey equipment, as well as being able to apply the theory taught in the classroom to real life situations.

I was encouraged to enroll in the Civil Technician certificate program as it was a one-year program with a co-op placement, which would allow me to gain some hands-on experience, and really get a feel for the profession. Check… check… check. The program was a way for me to see if engineering was the right fit for my future. I also liked that this was a stepping stone with advancement opportunities to upgrade my education to eventually become an engineer, should my path go in that direction. Check.

My favourite course has been AutoCAD. I really enjoy being able to use technology to replicate and design in a creative, yet technical manner. I also really enjoyed statistics as I could apply math principals to solve physics-related problems that we see in everyday life.

After completing the certificate program, I decided to enroll in the two-year Civil Technology (Municipal Engineering Specialization) diploma program as I have future aspirations in becoming an engineer.

Municipal engineering offers a variety of roles and areas where you could focus your career, such as structures, roadways and waterways. With so many job opportunities and career paths to take in the field, municipal engineering felt like the best fit for me.

One of the top highlights from my time at college by far was being able to represent Assiniboine on the world stage at the World Congress put on by the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) in Montréal. It was such an honour to learn and share how our education systems are run, and how to improve them while respecting sustainability goals set out by the United Nations.

Once I complete my three years at Assiniboine, I plan to attend Lakehead University with a goal of obtaining my Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree, with an emphasis on Aviation.

Lakehead University will acknowledge my credentials from Assiniboine, and transfer me into year three of a Bachelors of Engineering degree program. To have the opportunity to have hands-on work experience, a college diploma and a university degree within the span of five years is amazing!

As a past air cadet with a pilot’s license, I really would love to eventually work in the aviation industry. Even though it’s a bit of a shift from Civil, Assiniboine will have taught me large amount of core engineering principals applicable in all fields of engineering. With the wide variety of courses taught within the Civil Tech program, I could see myself using the knowledge I’ve gained to get into design, provide technical assistance to contractors, and contribute to an engineering team‘s ability to solve real life problems. As a“ people person“, I feel like I could effectively lead a group as well as being a good team player.

For future students who want to pursue the Civil Tech program, I highly suggest you do it. It’s a limitless program with so many opportunities to advance with career opportunities that are in very high demand. Work hard, apply yourself and make connections within the industry. You may surprise yourself with what you can accomplish.

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g n i k Roc Curling teams hurrying hard to College Championships.

The college introduced curling to the Cougars Athletics repertoire in the fall of 2023, with MB Curling Hall of Famer Maureen Bonar as coach of the men’s and women’s teams. The resurrection of those teams comes decades after strong showings at the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) championships in the late 80’s.

“We are excited to bring curling to Cougars Athletics, to expand our outreach and provide more opportunities for our students,” said Cougars Athletics Manager, Lindsay McLaughlin. “Maureen is a great candidate to lead this program to success, bringing vast knowledge, experience and connection to the Westman curling community.”

Originally from Deloraine, Manitoba, Bonar grew up playing many sports, but curling is where she excelled. She has extensive experience as a player, having won multiple provincial championships, first as a junior in 1982, then in the women’s division in 1983, 1993, 1996 and 2004. In 2015, her team won the Provincial Senior Women’s Curling Championship and Canadian Senior Women’s Curling Championship. They were the runner-up in 2016 at senior provincials but went on to win the 2016 World Senior Women’s Curling Championship. In 2009, Bonar was inducted into the Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame as an individual in the curler category and again in the team category, in 2016.

“I’m very excited to give back through coaching to the next generation of elite curlers,” said Bonar. “Being part of the curling program at ACC is truly an honour.”

In October, Assiniboine President Mark Frison was able to surprise the teams with the news that both the men’s and women’s curling teams will head to

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Fredericton, New Brunswick this spring to compete in the 2024 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA)/Curling Canada College Curling Championships from March 12-16.

“I was thrilled to come on board as coach of the Cougars curling program this fall,“ said Bonar. “To know we’re now preparing the team for an opportunity on the national stage certainly adds to the excitement. I’ve seen great strides in the initial weeks with these athletes. ” We can’t wait to keep working and represent Assiniboine and Manitoba in Fredericton in a few months.”

Between 1986 and 1989, the Cougars curling teams won two gold medals, three silver and two bronze at the national championships. This year‘s teams are hoping to follow in those impressive footsteps.

The CCAA voted to grant Manitoba a spot at curling nationals, and with no other institutions in the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC) establishing curling teams to date, Assiniboine has been acclaimed the Manitoba representative.

“We’re fortunate to see our newest student athletes get this national opportunity and exposure to competition at that level,” said McLaughlin. “We look forward to this sport continuing to grow at the Manitoba college level and continuing to compete to return to the national stage in the future.”

The teams continue to compete in a weekly league at the Brandon Curling Club and a selection of bonspiels to help prepare them for nationals. We wish both teams luck as they represent the college out East in March, and look forward to cheering them on here at home.

March 16th VS Michigan State University (W 10-0) March 17th VS University of Vermont (W 5-0) March 18th VS Adrian College (W 7-0) March 19th VS Semi-Finals: Northeastern University (L 1-2)

Women’s Curling

Men’s Curling

Left to Right: Kristen Carlson, Neveah Witherspoon, Ashlie Jewar, Jada Ricard

Left to Right: Jack Lyburn, Mateo Otto, Brendan Chubaty, Avery Smart, Ryder Chetyrbuk 13

ASSINIBOINE ALUMNI EVENTS AND UPDATES Alumni events are a great way to stay in touch, and keep in the know of what‘s going on here at the college.

There are always ways to stay engaged, and give back to current students and future alumni.

We have an exciting winter filled with Alumni events. Connect with your former classmates over a coffee or pint, and see what they've been up to. To be sure you don't miss out, email alumni@assiniboine.net with the subject line "Alumni Adventures" to get event details as soon as they're released.

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Stay up to date on alumni events Visit us online at assiniboine.net/alumnievents

EVENT

DETAILS

Aggies Mixer

Tuesday, January 16 » Keystone Centre, Brandon

Ag Days Breakfast

Wednesday, January 17 » Dome Building, Brandon

Advancement Dinner - Parkland

Wednesday, February 7 » Credit Union Place, Dauphin

International Wine and Food Festival

Thursday, February 15 » Manitoba Institue of Culinary Arts

Welcome to the Alumni Association Mixer - Brandon

Thursday, February 29 » Victoria Ave E Campus, Brandon

Winter Agronomy School

Tuesday, March 5 » North Hill Campus, Brandon

Legacy Gala Dinner

Thursday, March 21 » Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts

Aggie Alumni Zoom Coffee Catch Up

Spring (Date TBC) » Email alumni@assiniboine.net to get Zoom link

Alumni Mixer - Winnipeg Alumni

Spring » Date, time and location TBC

Great Grey Owl

April 8 - 26 » Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts

Parkland Graduation Ceremony

Friday, June 7 » Parkland Campus

Brandon Graduation Ceremony

Friday, June 14 » Keystone Centre, Brandon

Retirees BBQ with Staff Gathering

Tuesday, June 18 » Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts Grounds

Cougars Classic Golf Tournament - 9th Annual

Thursday, June 20 » Shilo Country Club

CELEBRATING 45 YEARS OF AG AT ASSINIBOINE Bringing alumni on board to fuel the future of ag at Assiniboine The Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment is celebrating 45 years of agriculture-related programming here at the college. There is a lot of pride when it comes to being an aggie, as you are recognized in the industry as being highly sought-after employees.

We at the Alumni Association believe that what we do now as alumni impacts the future of not only Assiniboine’s students, but also the ag industry, which will provide aggies with job opportunities for the entirety of their careers.

Agriculture contributes 62,000 jobs to the economy here in Manitoba. By 2029, the province is at risk of having one in three ag jobs go unfilled. There is growing a labour gap to fill, and we are calling on Aggies to help us ensure the future of ag education and innovation stays right here, in Western Manitoba.

Assiniboine is working hard to fill this gap by introducing a superior ag training facility and programming to the college’s North Hill campus.

“As the past Dean of the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment here at Assiniboine, I understand how crucial the need for advanced industry training is here in Manitoba,” said Derrick Turner, VP of Advancement at Assiniboine.

The Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture will create an enhanced agricultural training capacity, increasing seats in agriculture, environment and related technology programs

from 300 to more than 800 to fill the growing agricultural labour gap.

The Centre is Assiniboine’s vision for the future of ag education here in Western Manitoba, and will be a world-class facility that will support this education.

“I became involved in this campaign because of what the Prairie Innovation Centre will do to solve these complex challenges the world is facing, right here at home in Western Manitoba,” said Jeff Vassart, President at Cargill (Agribusiness Class of ‘96). “It’s an exciting project to be a part of, and I look forward to seeing this world class facility attract future leaders in Agriculture from across the country and around the world to study here at Assiniboine.”

We can’t do it without your support.

The Prairie Innovation Centre project has an estimated cost of $118 million dollars. So far, the remarkable fundraising efforts of the Foundation have raised $18 million of the $20 million private fundraising goal that’s been set.

“The Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment is the place to get expertise to grow and change with all industries, keep up with the demand and learn about new technologies,” Tichit added. “The possibilities for an enriching, successful career in agriculture are limitless for aggies. Help give future aggies the outstanding educational experience you had in your time at Assiniboine.”

With your help, students will graduate from the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment with the skills required to be at the forefront of the ag iindustry, equipped to lead the growth and evolution of agriculture over the coming decades.

Assiniboine is poised to play vital leadership and educational roles in charting the future of agriculture in Canada and throughout the world. Please help us secure that future by giving to the Prairie Innovation Centre Alumni campaign, in celebration of 45 years of Ag programming at the college.

- A message from Aggie Alumni campaign co-chairs Rhonda Oakden (Agribusiness class of 1997) and Evan Keller (Agribusiness class of 2004).

“This education belongs here in Westman, and you can help,” said Danielle Tichit, who has been an ag instructor at Assiniboine for 17 years.

Whether you have a little or a lot, your donation will go a long way to help us reach our fundraising goal from Aggies and alumni from across the college.

Donate today 15

YOUR EDUCATION FROM THE GROUND UP Assiniboine unveiled the new brand for the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment this fall.

The Edwards School brand reflects Edwards’ love of the land. The agriculture lifecycle is represented in the logo through visuals connected to water, plants, and harvest. The open Prairie skies and bodies of water are symbolized by a deep blue that represents Assiniboine’s environmental programming and vision, and is complemented by an earthy colour and seed and swath imagery to represent crop and plant growth.

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THE EDWARDS SCHOOL AT ASSINIBOINE Cultivating a Legacy of Ag Innovation 18

Left to Right: Derrick Turner, VP Advancement at Assiniboine; Paul Cunningham, President and CEO at Westman Group; Gary and Judy Edwards; Tim Hore, Dean, Edwards School; Mark Frison, President at Assiniboine. Front: Edna and Russ Edwards.

“Assiniboine is thrilled to establish the Edwards School. Agriculture is key to the Manitoba economy and has long been a foundation of our programs.”

- Mark Frison, President of Assiniboine

Assiniboine unveiled the new brand of the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment in September, alongside Edwards and family, Edwards School staff and students, and agriculture and community partners.

“Russ Edwards is an icon when it comes to ag-related industries in Manitoba and Canada,” said Tim Hore, Dean of the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment. “We’re very similar in the values that we share with Russ. Having his name connected to the school is an honour and will have along-lasting impact as our college continues to advance its vision for leadership in agricultural education.”

“Being brought up on a farm since I was four years old, you learn to love the land. If there’s one thing you cannot manufacture, it’s land,” said Russ Edwards, Founder of Westman Group Inc (WGI).

In fall 2022, Assiniboine announced the first-ever naming of one of its academic schools after Edwards.

The September 2023 event launched the brand identity of the Edwards School that will represent the college as a leader in hands-on education and training, using technology and innovation to effect change for agriculture and the environment for years to come.

“Assiniboine was thrilled to establish the Edwards School. Agriculture is key to the Manitoba economy, and has long been a foundation of our programs,” said Mark Frison, President of Assiniboine. “When you look at the amount of private sector investment we’ve had in Manitoba, we know that we need to have more people prepared to take those jobs, work in that sector and continue to leverage that investment for the future of the Manitoba economy.”

“We looked at the project very closely, as to what the plans and intent were, and what the theme of the college was going to be. The Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment is the legacy that my wife, myself and my family wish to leave for Western Canada,“ said Edwards. “We believe that the proper education students will receive in this school will be tremendously important going forward.

Brandon is an agricultural centre of the West and this school is right in the heart of Canada.”

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Investment in student awards enhance

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Russ Edwards and WGI Westman Group Inc. invest additional $300k for student awards in the Edwards School.

Attendees at the launch event for Assiniboine’s Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment heard from Russ Edwards and Westman Group Inc (WGI) that companies under the WGI umbrella are investing an additional $300,000 in student financial awards.

The announcement came as a welcome surprise at the brand launch event in September. It reinforces the confidence that Edwards and his companies have in the programming offered at ACC, and emphasizes their commitment to overall student success.

“We are very excited about the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment, as this is the legacy the Edwards family want to leave,” said Paul Cunningham, President and CEO of the Westman Group, when making the announcement. “In conjunction with that legacy, we wanted to announce today a series of scholarships for students entering their second year of studies at Assiniboine Community College (ACC) on behalf of the Westman Group of Companies.”

“We are truly thankful for this remarkable gift and the recognition we have received from Russ and Edna Edwards and WGI,” said Derrick Turner, Vice President of Advancement at Assiniboine. “This gift will have such an impact on the futures of students in both the Edwards School and Assiniboine overall, and will help set them up for success as they embark on in-demand careers in the industry.”

WGI intends to distribute a $5,000 annual award on behalf of each of it’s six divisions, for a total distribution of $30,000 per year for a 10-year period. The 20

awards will be given to students entering their second year in programs that correspond to the industries in which each of the six WGI divisions operate.

“Our group of companies are here to help students achieve their education and further be able to enter what we know from experience will continue to be in demand industries in Manitoba for a long time,” said Cunningham.

“It is essential for students seeking a future in ag to have the opportunity to get the best agriculture education that is available as we depend on the sector for our food and our future,” said Russ Edwards, Founder of Westman Group Inc (WGI). “The Edwards School will be able to provide the opportunity for these students to advance their education in this crucial industry.”

Edwards has been a leader in the business community for nearly 50 years, and a champion at the forefront of the agricultural sector across the Prairies. His business roots stem back to his first business in Winnipeg in 1976, constructing culverts, steel roofing, and siding. Since then, WGI has carved out a remarkable path under Edwards’ leadership. It has grown into one of Canada’s largest manufacturers of steel products.

This gift adds to a contribution of $4 million from Edwards and his family, announced last year, for the college’s Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture.

AGRIBUSINESS IT’S ALL IN THE FAMILY From Rhonda Oakden’s perspective, it wasn’t part of a plan. It just turned out that way, and it’s turned out great. She is one of four Nykoliation women – including her sister, Donna Adam, and cousins Kim Kimpinski and Jennifer Askin – who were raised on farms north of Virden and have each graduated from Assiniboine’s Agribusiness program.

“Donna was the first one and I was the second,” says Rhonda. “And then Kim and then Jennifer.

When I was in my second year, Kim was in her first year. It never really dawned on me until later that there’s four Nykoliations that took Agribusiness.

That’s kind of cool.”

It’s more than cool. It’s a great story about the range of opportunities that come with an Agribusiness diploma – a reflection of the variety of careers in and intersecting with this growing industry - and how those opportunities have transformed lives for the better.

Donna entered the Agribusiness program in 1990.

“I was always interested in the finance side,” she says. “I had always, in my mind, thought that I would be helping, whether it was farmers, farm families or businesses in some way in finance.”

After her graduation in 1992, she joined a John Deere dealership in Brandon and then transferred to a dealership in Neepawa a few years later. It was there that she met a senior manager with RBC and, after serving as a branch manager in Souris, she will soon celebrate her 30th year as a financial planner with RBC in Winnipeg.

Rhonda, who is Donna’s younger sister, was the second of the Nykoliations to enter the Agribusiness program. “When I graduated, I knew I wanted to stay fairly close to Brandon and surrounding area,” she says. “And observing my sister’s career path, she was enjoying being on the finance side.”

“Finance was sort of the natural fit for me,” she adds, “and I took the courses to become a financial planner and an insurance advisor. I’ve been with Westoba Credit Union as director of financial planning for the past three years.”

Kim Kimpinski graduated from the Agribusiness program in 1998, the year after Rhonda. “I grew up on a farm,” she says. “It was just kind of the area that I had interest in, and I liked the idea of the agribusiness program. Just from hearing from past graduates, the job opportunities that they had after they completed their diploma, there was lots out there.”

For Kim, that opportunity was a position with John Deere dealer S.H. Dayton Ltd. in Shoal Lake.

“I’m in the admin side of things, and I do like it,” she says. “My job has changed and evolved over time. What I first started doing is not what I’m doing now, and with Enns Brothers taking over, my job has changed again. So, I’m getting that change internally.”

Jennifer Askin graduated from Agribusiness in 2005. She and her husband, Jeff – also an Assiniboine Agribusiness graduate – operate a 2000-acre farm near Portage la Prairie, growing soy beans, wheat, canola and edible beans. She also helps with Jeff’s seed business.

Why did she choose the Agribusiness program?

“Probably because of what my cousins had said.

We grew up in agriculture, so for me, it was like my comfort thing. I kind of already grew up with that.

It was like second nature to me.”

When asked why the four Nykoliation girls each enrolled in the Agribusiness program, Donna says: “We were a family that got together with family Christmases and whatnot. It wasn’t that we sought each other out to talk about it, but it was known that we were each taking it and it was of interest to the next ones.”

Rhonda recalls it this way: “For Donna and I and Kim and Jennifer, I think our dads were proud that we all went into the program. Our dads were brothers, and I remember when Kim was looking to get into it, I remember her dad saying to my dad, ‘Well, Kim should do what Donna and Rhonda did.

That’s a good program.’ I think they had a sense of pride, knowing that their girls, who were farm kids, went onto that path for education.”

Though they may have had different reasons for entering the program, Donna, Rhonda, Kim and Jennifer are each convinced that they would do it again.

“There are multiple job opportunities and if you find your passion, you stick with it. But if you start one job and find that’s really not for you, that Agribusiness diploma will give you opportunities to branch off into a different direction,” said Kim. Donna agrees. “I couldn’t even start to put my finger on all the opportunities. It’s a huge range, and agriculture jobs, it stems far past that. Ag careers are all over the world,” she said.

For those considering the Agribusiness program, Rhonda has some advice.

“Don’t restrict yourselves to a specific area.

There is a bias that when you take agribusiness that you’re maybe going to work for a seed company or a grain company, or a chem company.

Don’t limit yourself to that. Understand that there’s the business aspect too, and the skills that you’re learning are transferable.”

“Open your eyes to other areas that could add value in your career path and chase the learning.

Don’t ever stop the learning.”

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PRAIRIE INNOVATION CENTRE SEES $300K BUMP FROM

INDUSTRY PARTNER Cenovus Energy has donated $300,000 toward Assiniboine Community College’s Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Chemical Engineering Technology program.

This partnership aligns with two of Cenovus’s key social investment focus areas – Future-ready youth and Resilient communities – and will help provide for the development of lab space within the Prairie Innovation Centre to enhance specialized agriculture programs and learning at the college.

“We have a strong connection to the agricultural community in southwestern Manitoba through our Minnedosa Ethanol Plant,” says Keith Chiasson, Cenovus’s Executive Vice-President & Chief Operating Officer. “Our partnership with Assiniboine College will provide people with improved access to education and skills training for their future careers, whether that’s in agriculture or working for companies like Cenovus.”

Bell Fibe TV1: Camcorders Our Centre for Creative Media received a generous donation of 3 Sony NX5U HD camcorders and their related accessories from Bell Fibe TV1 (@fibetv1). Knowing the impact the college has on the community and the thousands of graduates who pass through its doors, Kim Bell, a former Brandonite, was pleased to see the equipment go to students in the Media and Communications program.

Since 2012, TV1 (formerly known as MTS Stories From Home) has engaged second year students to produce content from Westman for their on-demand platform. Kim works with the instructors and students to produce ideas that fit with the curriculum, as well as Bell’s community TV mandate, to create short series to air on Fibe TV, channel 1 and the Fibe TV app. Look for the latest series, Prairie Hearts, now on air.

Thank you to Kim and Bell Fibe TV1 for the thoughtful donation of equipment that will help the college continue to create exceptional learning experiences for our students.

Cenovus has been a long-time supporter of the college, participating in one of our Program Advisory Committees and providing work placement and employment opportunities to Power Engineering students at the company’s Minnedosa plant. Assiniboine recently expanded its Power Engineering program to include 3rd Class training, and Cenovus was a supporter of that expansion.

“We value our relationship with Cenovus, and this partnership is a great addition to their long history of support,“ said Assiniboine President, Mark Frison. “We appreciate that they recognize the value of investing in our students and the future of agriculture in the Prairie Innovation Centre. This facility and its programs will help to ensure students looking for careers in agriculture have opportunities here at home, and that they can enter the work force confidently.”

A vital part of the Prairie Innovation Centre vision is integrating education and connection, providing a venue where producers, industry, researchers, government and students can come together, solve problems and share ideas.

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Interested in supporting our students in a unique way?

Donors

STUDENT SUCCESSES MADE POSSIBLE BY

The success of our students relies on the generous connections we make with donors. There are many ways to give: through time, monetary donations and equipment. Here are a few of the unique donations we received in 2023.

Excel-7: Robotic Total Station

Our second year carpentry students were able to test out a new Robotic Total Station, generously donated by Excel-7, a local General Contractor.

This equipment is used to survey and lay out building information on job sites. It can be used both indoors and outdoors and requires only one operator. With the use of a 360 degree prism, it replaces the need for a tape measure. This is great for measuring large building sites and the layout of complex building components that may require millimeter-precise accuracy in areas like a foundations, structural steel components and anchor bolts. The device captures a signal from the prisms and follows the operator, then the handheld data logger either records the information or shows where to move the prisms location to give the desired pin-point accuracy. Information can either be exported from the data logger into AutoCAD or imported from AutoCAD into the data logger, eliminating costly errors and improving efficiency.

Thanks again to Excel-7 for this generous donation, and for keeping our students up to date with the latest technology found in our modern, competitive construction industry.

Portage Mutual: Student Awards

Westoba Credit Union: Laptops for NAT We are so thankful for our community partners who support our mission to help our students “Learn by Doing“. Westoba Credit Union‘s donation of 24 laptops will assist our Network Administration Technology(NAT) students in their hands-on learning for years to come.

Connect with the Advancement team at foundation@assiniboine.net.

A big thank you to Portage La Prairie Mutual Insurance for their recent contribution to student awards. These funds will help one student in Business Administration and one student in Network Administration Technology focus on their college experience with less concern for their finances.

Siere: Business Family Bursary What an honourable way to celebrate 15 years in business!

Cathy Snelgrove and Jeff Roziere of Siere have established a new student bursary - the Siere Business Family Bursary - which will provide $1,000 in funding, awarded annually, to a second-year student who was inspired by growing up in a family business.

Congratulations on 15 years of success, Jeff & Cathy! Thank you for supporting our students.

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AN ODE TO THE ODR

Media Production graduate, Randy Frykas, recognized for documentary It would be inaccurate to describe his career as an “overnight sensation twenty years in the making”, but Assiniboine Media and Communications graduate Randy Frykas is now receiving well-deserved recognition after 20 years of outstanding work.

The Winnipeg-based filmmaker’s documentary Outdoor Hockey Club – his ode to outdoor rinks (ODR) and the people who play on them – has been crowned as the winner of the “Purpose” category in the inaugural Outside Awards. The award comes with $5,000 USD in prize money and is part of a collaborative effort between Outside Magazine and renowned outdoor adventure multimedia company, Warren Miller Entertainment.

Randy Frykas skates on Echo Lake, YT. Photo by Ray Marnoch.

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The Outside Awards have three categories: Purpose, Awe and Inspire. The winning films are shown across Canada and the US as part of this year’s Warren Miller film tour, and will then be shown in Europe.

“What’s been awesome,” says Randy, “is the fact that since mid-October, my film has been playing in theatres all across the United States. I’m here in Winnipeg and my film has grown legs, and it’s doing its thing. So, the next day I will wake up and I will have a message from someone who watched it in Scottsdale, Arizona or New Hampshire.”

“Being able to connect with people from Warren Miller Entertainment and Outside Magazine, and the crews and all the audiences, it’s such an energizing experience. It’s neat to see how it’s gone from basically the second bedroom in my condo to movie screens all across the US and Canada right now.”

The Outside Magazine award for Outdoor Hockey Club was actually Randy’s second award nomination. In 2020, he and a colleague were nominated for a Canada Screen Award (formerly known as the Gemini Awards) for their work on an APTN television series, First Contact.

They didn’t win, but Randy says “There’s the cliché that it’s just an honour to be nominated, but it was. That’s something I can always hang my hat on. I didn’t win, but I was recognized.”

Looking toward the future, Randy plans to continue working on the Outdoor Hockey Club project for the rest of his life. “The ultimate dream is to work on whatever you want to work on,” he says. “It was a conscious effort of mine to become the ‘outdoor hockey guy’. If someone has an outdoor hockey story, I want to be the one who tells it. If some company or TV channel have outdoor hockey content and need a filmmaker for it, I want to be the first person they think of.”

Last year, Randy travelled to locations in Yukon, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario to record footage for Outdoor Hockey Club. Last winter, his focus was Canada, but in less time, he‘s already made more progress with building an audience in the States, mainly because of the film tour.

“This winter, I’m going to be filming in the US, and really digging into the communities and audiences that I’ve been connecting with,” he adds. “I’ve scouted a location in Duluth and I’ve got a story in Wisconsin. I’ll go do those at the end of January, and I heard some great things from some of the audiences in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.”

“This is an ever-evolving project, but where I’m at right now is I’m going to shoot as much as I can this winter. My hope is to use this spring and summer to edit a feature length film together, and then release it at the beginning of next winter.”

For aspiring filmmakers hoping to follow in Randy’s footsteps, he has some advice: “Take the time to experience different roles in media and communications. The more you understand all of the pieces, the better you will become at focusing on one. Once you find the one you are most passionate about, work towards it.”

“I love hockey and filmmaking and I couldn’t be happier with where I am today.“

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STUDENTS RECEIVE NEARLY $700K

IN FINANCIAL AWARDS At this year’s #HumbleBrag Student Award recognition event, Assiniboine Community College announced that it has distributed $677,550 in financial awards for the 2023-24 academic year.

“We are grateful to be able to gather with our student award recipients to celebrate their achievements, while also showing gratitude to our donors who make it possible,” said Vice President of Advancement, Derrick Turner. “We continue to see increases in the number of new awards created, and the amount of money dispersed to our students. It shows that the community supports the important work we are doing here at the college.”

“The goal of our fundraising is always to enhance the student experience,“ he adds. “Whether it’s through learning tools and facilities or student financial awards, our efforts are student-focused.”

This year‘s financial awards will help more than 400 students who are pursuing training at Assiniboine this year. The awards are given to students based on a variety of indicators, including financial need, academic performance, athletic participation and emergency needs.

Assiniboine has a strong community of supporters with a long history of giving to support student needs. Since 2017, the Foundation has more than doubled the amount of money disbursed to students.

New this year is the D.R. Nankar Bursary for Indigenous Education and The Meenakshi Krishnan Memorial Scholarship. The awards are for students who are looking to further their education and make a positive impact in their communities.

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“Mayur and I both come from humble beginnings,” said donor Archana Krishnan.

“Our education has played an integral role in getting us where we are and we firmly believe that education holds the power to transform lives. Both of us have benefitted from scholarships in our educational journey and if it were not for those, our lives would have looked really different.”

“Being first-generation immigrants, we had our share of challenges integrating into a new country and workspace, but our community supported us through it and is now our family away from home. Education brought us to Canada and our community made us stay. Because of this, when we had the opportunity to do something for our beloved community of Brandon, we decided to do it through educational scholarships.”

Attendees of this year’s #HumbleBrag Student Award Recipient Celebration heard about Carlie Tkachuk, this year’s recipient of the Meenakshi Krishnan Memorial Scholarship. Carlie is a Practical Nursing student at Assiniboine’s Parkland campus, currently completing her practicum.

“I would like to express my gratitude to Archana Krishnan and Mayur Nankar for their generosity,” she said. “As I walked out of college with my first term supplies, I was taken aback. It means a lot to me to receive this financial support towards achieving my dream of becoming a nurse. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Archana Krishnan and Mayur Nankar once again for awarding me this scholarship.”

The #HumbleBrag event was held on Giving Tuesday at the newly renovated Students‘ Association space at Assiniboine’s Victoria Avenue East campus.

g a r B e l b m #Hu

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SO NICE, SHE GRADUATED FROM ASSINIBOINE TWICE A two-time Culinary Arts and Baking Foundations grad’s journey to television Aaliyah Dominique-Taylor has been a culinary enthusiast from a young age. What started as time with her mom in the kitchen, cooking the Christmas turkey, has evolved into being responsible for the pies and sweets at family gatherings. Thanks to her training from Assiniboine, they are coveted additions and a testament to her passion for the art of cooking.

Aaliyah graduated from the Culinary Arts program in 2021, and completed her Baking Foundations program the following year. Both programs were delivered at the Manitoba Institute for Culinary Arts at Assiniboine‘s North Hill campus.

My favourite instructor was Chef Jo; She became my school mom. After some losses in my family 6 months apart, I was ready to quit and drop out. Chef Jo connected every single day to check in on me, and gave me the strength to keep going, for them. Without her support, I wouldn’t be where I am now.

Her most unforgettable moment in the industry came this September, and is going to be hard to top – Aaliyah entered the culinary spotlight when she appeared on the popular cooking show, “Chuck and the First Peoples Kitchen.” The show’s host, Chef Chuck Hughes, travels to Indigenous communities from Quebec to Saskatchewan to interview Indigenous people and learn about their traditional recipes and ancestral hunting and fishing techniques.

On the show, Aaliyah was part of a demonstration on how to traditionally cook bison. Bison was a staple in her culture for generations, and she was fortunate to share the rich culinary traditions of her people with a wider audience.

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Using a mix of traditional methods and culinary skills gained through her education at the college, Aaliyah cooked the tongue of the bison, and presented it to the show’s host, Chuck, who was amazed by her expertise and the delicious flavour of the dish.

Aaliyah’s journey to the culinary world hadn’t come without its intimidations. She recalled her high school days when the prospect of going to college felt daunting.

“I remember when I was in high school, I was scared to go to college. I was filled with so much anxiety and fear, making myself think I wasn’t going to make friends, I was going to be the worst one in my class,” she said.

However, her fears dissipated on her first day of college during the orientation.

A friendly classmate leaned over and asked, “Are you scared too?”

Aaliyah’s anxiety and fear melted away as they connected over their shared apprehensions. Both young and fresh out of high school, they had each moved away from their families for the first time.

Her new classmate, she learned, was also Indigenous, and their friendship marked the beginning of a transformative journey for Aaliyah. She learned that

college was not only about education but also about building lifelong friendships and creating unforgettable memories.

Aaliyah’s culinary pursuits thrived in this supportive environment and her passion for cooking blossomed.

Aaliyah’s family is always eager to savour her delicious creations. Her signature pies, cookies, and cheesecakes have become family favorites. Baking, in particular, has become her forté, and she takes immense pride in sharing her skills with her loved ones.

Aaliyah’s appearance on “Chuck and the First Peoples Kitchen” feels like it is just the beginning of her journey. She knows that she had a unique opportunity to promote the traditions and flavors of her heritage, and she is determined to continue sharing her passion with the world. As she looks back on her college journey, she has a piece of advice for those who were afraid to take the leap into higher education.

“Don’t be scared to do what you love because you could be making history,” she said.

PARKLAND CAMPUS ACCEPTS

CEREMONIAL BUFFALO SKULL

FROM PINE CREEK FIRST NATION “What does reconciliation and reciprocity look and feel like?” This question is often asked when we are discussing Indigeneity here at Assiniboine. It’s a great question to ask because many of us have not experienced this before, until now.

On Thursday October 5th, at a ceremonial feast in Dauphin,

Aaliyah Dominique-Taylor is certainly making her mark, not just as a two-time college graduate, but also as a culinary artist dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage through her delectable creations.

Assiniboine accepted the responsibility of hosting and keeping safe a buffalo skull from Chief Derek Nepinak from Minegoziibe Anishinabe (Pine Creek First Nation).

The buffalo skull is being shared with Assiniboine to bring positive energy, resilience, safety, strength and spirituality to students, staff and faculty at the Parkland Campus.

Carol Stewart, Director at the Parkland campus, hosted the ceremonial feast. She warmly welcomed invited guests and introduced the North Wolf Ojibway Drum group from the Ebb & Flow First Nation, who opened with a song of welcome.

Kris Desjarlais, Assiniboine‘s Director Indigenous Education, acknowledged the land and our responsibility to move truth and reconciliation forward through education and reciprocity.

Elder Reg Nepinak then said a prayer and lit the smudge, clearing the way for Chief Derek Nepinak to share the story of the buffalo and the significance to the people from his nation. He spoke eloquently about how the buffalo’s spirit can help students on their learning journey, and the responsibility we will have to nurture and care for the skull.

He then transferred stewardship to Michael Cameron, Dean of Community Development. The ceremony closed with a feast and an honour song by the drum group. The buffalo skull will be present at the Parkland Campus over the next year for all students, staff and faculty to see and experience.

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LEECH GROUP CELEBRATES FOURTH GENERATION IN BUSINESS WITH Assiniboine’s Centre for Creative Media (CCM), one of the college’s newest learning spaces has received a $100,000 donation from the Leech Group and family, commemorating their upcoming 100th year in business.

This generous contribution, made by the local print and digital media company and the Leech family, includes $75,000 for the Centre for Creative Media space and $25,000 to support financial awards for students in Digital Art and Design, and Web and Interactive Development, two of the programs delivered within the Centre.

“We’re very excited to invest in the Assiniboine Community College’s Centre for Creative Media,” said Meredyth Leech, Sales & Marketing Director at Leech Group. “Our hope is that this contribution further enhances an already impressive program as it continues to grow and evolve. Our company has benefited greatly from the talent coming out of ACC for decades and we look forward to continuing our partnership into the future.”

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y t i s o r e Gen

At the donation event held in December, the college revealed a space named on behalf of the donor— the Leech Group Collaboration Classroom.

Construction on the 10,050 sq. ft. Centre for Creative Media started in early 2021 and was completed later that year. The college held a grand opening for the space for community and industry partners, staff, students and alumni in early 2023.

“The Centre for Creative Media is an incredible new space for students to learn the skills they’ll need to enter the workforce, some of which are current employees at Leech Group,” said Gillian Leech, General Manager at Leech Group. “We really want to play a role in the success of these students, so we are proud to be contributing to this innovative new learning space.”

“The Centre for Creative Media is a one-of-a-kind space for Western Canada, and was developed with industry needs and standards at its core,” said

Jana Sproule, Chair of Media and Office Technology at Assiniboine. “The training we are able to provide our students will prepare them to confidently enter the industry. The support we have received from industry partners like Leech Group solidifies the work we are doing.”

“This contribution from Leech Group further enhances the college’s longstanding relationship with this local business leader,” said Terry Burgess, Dean, School of Business. “As a local employer to many graduates of our creative media programs, we are greatly appreciative of Leech Group’s support and look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come.”

Leech Group, founded in 1927 as The Leech Letter Co. by Michael Leech’s grandfather, has transitioned into its fourth generation of family ownership.

s e t a u d a r G l l Fa

READY TO BOLSTER THE LABOUR MARKET

Assiniboine recognized graduates at a ceremony in the Keystone Centre’s Manitoba Room in October, with more than 460 graduates from 30 different programs celebrated.

“This celebration is the culmination of the efforts of hundreds of students, and we are pleased to see these students cross the stage with their families and friends in attendance,” said Mark Frison, president of Assiniboine.

Last year, we had our largest graduation class in the college’s history, as we celebrated 1,648 graduates. With more than 460 having graduated this fall, the college is on pace to top last year’s numbers come June 2024.

Practical Nursing (LPN) program representing the largest single program offered at Assiniboine.

Another 103 students have enhanced their specialized expertise with post graduate diploma from programs including Human Resource Management, Marketing, and Early Childhood Program Management.

October’s ceremony also celebrated graduates from Assiniboine‘s tuition-free Heavy Duty Equipment Technician certificate program designed for Indigenous students between ages 18 and 30, offered in partnership with Algonquin College.

Among this cohort of graduates was Portia Settee. Originally from Wabowden, a community in northern Manitoba, she first found her interest in the trade while attending programming at University College of the North (UCN). She initially intended to attend an electrician course, but a change in programming availability landed her in a heavy-duty technician course.

“We have an incredible depth of programming here at Assiniboine, and we are proud to prepare graduates for a wide variety of careers,“ said Dr. Deanna Rexe, Vice President Academic at Assiniboine. “Today’s ceremony is representative of that, with certificates, diplomas, and post-graduate diplomas being presented across disciplines, in programs including Practical Nursing, Civil Technician, Horticultural Production, Mechanical and Construction Trades, Food Processing, Early Childhood Education and more.“

“My instructor there thought I did well and encouraged me to follow through with the trade in the future,” said Settee.

She adds that “We are pleased to see such a positive launch to our 2023-24 academic year and are proud to recognize an important step in the careers and lives of these students.”

Now employed full-time as a technician at Zenith Paving in Brandon and looking to return to Assiniboine in fall 2024 to pursue apprenticeship, Settee has some encouraging words for her fellow graduates.

Assiniboine continues to bolster important and in-demand areas of Manitoba’s labour market. The fall graduation featured more than 50 Practical Nursing graduates, ready to enter the healthcare field across the province. The college continues to be a leader in educating nurses in Manitoba with the Licensed

“Crossing the stage was a big accomplishment for everyone. Whether you are from a small community like Wabowden or a big city, never give up because you might be surprised what can happen.“

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Celebrating over 45 years of agriculture at Assiniboine Help us make a difference.

As the Prairie Innovation Centre project continues to move closer to becoming a reality, we‘re calling on our alumni to help us reach our fundraising goals.

Whether you have a little or a lot, your donation will go a long way to help us reach our fundraising goal and support the future of agriculture-related training in Manitoba.

Donate today!