Media Release
www.assiniboine.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Manitoba Collaboration Pulls Together and Launches
Regionally-Specific Indigenization Foundational Guide
BRANDON, Man. (September 15, 2021)— Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members, and
Indigenous organizations across Manitoba have ‘pulled together’ to work alongside Assiniboine
Community College (ACC), Brandon University (BU), and Campus Manitoba (CMB) to adapt the Pulling
Together Foundations Guide for Manitoba.
Originally created in British Columbia as part of a larger Indigenization project, the Pulling Together:
Manitoba Foundations Guide (Brandon Edition) will provide a starting point for those who want to learn
more about Indigenous Peoples in the Prairie region of Canada and those who wish to begin their journey
of understanding Canada’s colonial legacy.
In 2019, the stars aligned for this unprecedented community collaboration when Assiniboine’s Vice
President Academic, Dr. Deanna Rexe, brought the original B.C. resource to the attention of the
Assiniboine community for consideration of adopting for the college’s cultural diversity training
objectives. Not long thereafter, Assiniboine was approached by BU and CMB, who were looking at
adapting the foundation guide for Manitoba.
“We all need to pull the load together. The time has come to recognize differences, acknowledge them
and accept that we are stronger together. We are a blend. We have heard it so many ways. Think of the
blades of sweetgrass braided together and how strong it becomes. We want to share our stories and get
everyone thinking about how we live, how we interact and how we could strengthen our communities if
we are all pulling the load. We can do better,” said Leah LaPlante, Vice President at Manitoba Metis
Federation.
One recurring theme throughout is that this guide is not a definitive resource, as First Nations, Metis, and
Inuit perspectives, stories, and approaches are diverse across Turtle Island. This is meant to be a starting
place where people can continue their learning off the page and into the communities in Manitoba and
beyond.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to work with community partners, Brandon University, and Campus
Manitoba in adapting this resource,” said Kris Desjarlais, Director of Indigenous Education at Assiniboine.
“The guidance we received from Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Indigenous organizations authenticated
the process. We look forward to sharing the resource with staff, students and the broader community.”
The Pulling Together: Manitoba Foundations Guide (Brandon edition) is an open educational resource.
The resource can be found at pressbooks.openedmb.ca/pullingtogethermanitoba. For more information
about open education in Manitoba, visit openedmb.ca.
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About Assiniboine Community College
Assiniboine Community College has been providing exceptional learning experiences for more than 55
years and offers certificate, diploma and post-graduate programs across a variety of disciplines including
culinary arts and hospitality, business, agriculture and environment, health and human services, and
trades and technology. The college also delivers apprenticeship programming in a range of skilled trades
disciplines.
With more than 3,600 full-time students and campuses in Brandon, Dauphin and Winnipeg, Assiniboine
provides comprehensive educational opportunities throughout Manitoba. The college also partners with
many communities and organizations across the province to deliver customized education and training.
Assiniboine’s annual provincial economic impact is $612 million.
Assiniboine Community College campuses are located on the traditional territories of Treaty No. 1 and
Treaty No. 2, the shared traditional lands of Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene and Anishinabek/Ojibwe
peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. We acknowledge their welcome to the students who
seek knowledge here.
For more information, please contact:
Kris Desjarlais
Director, Indigenous Education
Assiniboine Community College
desjarlaisk4@assiniboine.net
204.725.8700, ext. 6045