Red Deer Polytechnic Indigenous Services

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

Need help navigating post-secondary?

Join us for Walk-in Wednesdays at the Pónokaisissáhta Indigenous Student Centre. No appointment needed.
🕘 9AM–4PM

We can support you with:
• Applications
• Academic advising
• Funding applications
• Connecting to RDP student resources

Student Hi-Lite: Wizdom Smith

This week, we’re excited to highlight Wizdom Smith, a student-athlete at Red Deer Polytechnic from Winnipeg, Manitoba, with family roots in Hollow Water First Nation.

Wizdom came to RDP after previously attending Niagara College, where he played volleyball. When deciding where to continue both his academic and athletic journey, RDP stood out because of the strength and success of the Kings volleyball program. Since arriving, he has already been part of an ACAC Championship and a National Championship team — an experience he says means a great deal, especially at just 19 years old.

Being part of the RDP Kings Volleyball team means being part of a strong and respected legacy. For Wizdom, it’s an opportunity not only to win as a team, but to continue growing as an individual athlete and leader.

Wizdom is currently studying Arts Psychology. His interest in psychology comes from wanting to better understand people and why emotions can look so different from one person to the next. He is especially interested in how success, struggle, and wellbeing can show up in unexpected ways, and wants to continue learning more for both academic and personal growth.

When reflecting on what it means to be an Indigenous student, Wizdom shared that his journey is about much more than himself. He spoke about the sacrifices his mom made for their family, the support of his older brother, and the way his community encouraged him toward sports, growth, and opportunity. For him, post-secondary is a chance to carry his family forward and give everything he has in return.

Wizdom also shared how important the Pónokaisissáhta Indigenous Student Centre has been in helping him feel supported while living and studying in Red Deer. The centre, staff, and mentors he has connected with have played a big role in helping him feel welcomed, encouraged, and equipped to succeed.

His advice to other Indigenous students considering post-secondary is to get involved, ask for help, and not try to do everything alone. He believes some of the best parts of college life come when you allow yourself to connect with others and access the support around you.

A few things people might be surprised to know about Wizdom:

He describes himself as humble, kind, and quiet

His go-to study snack is a vanilla dip donut from Tim Hortons

He’s a big anime fan, especially Bleach, Naruto, Death Note, Cowboy Bebop, and My Hero Academia

A quote he identifies with is: “I have answers to the test, but I gotta see the questions first.”

Thank you, Wizdom, for sharing your story with us. We’re proud to celebrate your journey and all that you bring to the RDP community.

Looking for something to check out in the community?

The Built for Adventure Year-End Show is opening at The MAG! 🎨 This is a great opportunity to support student creativity, explore local art, and celebrate the incredible work coming out of our community.

We’re especially excited to share that a couple of our Indigenous students are highlighted in this exhibition. Be sure to check out their work!

🔗

Built For Adventure: RDP Year End Show Opening at the MAG - Tourism Red Deer | Official Travel Website Red Deer, Alberta, Canada Featuring the work of students in the Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Visual Arts Program, Built for Adventure celebrates the bold, unpredictable journey of

We’re excited to host a Loom Beading Workshop at the Pónokaisissáhta Indigenous Student Centre 🧡

Join us for a creative and welcoming session led by Blaine Noble. This workshop is open to all skill levels, whether you’re trying beading for the first time or looking to build on your skills.

📅 March 31
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Room 1007B, Pónokaisissáhta Indigenous Student Centre

Come learn, create, and connect with community. We’d love to see you there!