Happy New Year! I hope you had a restful break and are ready for another big year.

We’re starting 2026 with a significant  moment in our university’s history. Join me on January 20 as we launch Building Bold: UM’s Capital Plan for People, Place and Possibility, the University of Manitoba’s new 30-year capital plan and prioritization framework.

For over a century, the University of Manitoba has adapted and grown to meet the needs of students, researchers, and our community. Today, however, we face a different challenge. How do we build for the next 150 years while honouring our commitments to Reconciliation, sustainability, and academic excellence?

Building Bold is our roadmap that will guide how we renew, enhance, and expand our campuses to match the ambitions of our teaching, learning, and research mission. You can learn more about it at digital displays located in the Brodie Atrium on the Bannatyne campus and in the Fireside Lounge on the Fort Garry campus. 

During this launch event, I will be joined by Raman Dhaliwal, Associate Vice-President (Administration), who led the plan’s development and will speak about our community’s bold vision for the short and long term, and how we get there. We’ll also share digital renderings and take your questions.

Register now and please join us in person or online on January 20. The event runs from 9:45 – 11:15 a.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room of UMSU University Centre.

If you have questions about the event, please email rsvp@umanitoba.ca or visit our intranet page. 

I look forward to seeing you there. And here’s to a big year full of bold ideas!

Thank you,
Michael Benarroch, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor

The University of Manitoba is closed today, Thursday, December 18 due to extreme weather conditions. 

The university will reopen on Friday, December 19 and resume regular business.

While conditions may continue to prove challenging, members of the UM community are encouraged to leave ample time for travel and to use caution when coming to campus.

UM has rescheduled affected exams to Saturday, December 20. 

Exams scheduled for Friday, December 19 will proceed as scheduled. 

Please stay informed about road conditions and local weather updates.

Anti-racism: Moving beyond acknowledgment toward meaningful, systemic change

UM student Sammi Oni calls anti-racism work at UM “essential.” She is in her third year of the finance and accounting major in the Asper School of Business.

She says the strategy is important to her because “it recognizes the everyday realities that racially-marginalized students navigate and commits to doing better. It pushes our community to move beyond acknowledgment toward meaningful, systemic change.”

Sammi Oni.

“It gives me hope that we’re building a university where inclusion isn’t just a principle but a practice.” – Sammi Oni, student

Oni is also a Fellow in Equity, Anti-Oppression and Social Justice, a student program offered by the Office of Equity Transformation. Her Fellows project focuses on supporting the development of Black Studies at UM and contributing to institutional work that advances equity and social justice on campus.

Oni says this anti-racism work gives her hope. It “helps shape a campus environment where belonging isn’t something you have to fight for,” she says.

“It gives me hope that we’re building a university where inclusion isn’t just a principle but a practice.”

A strategy to support our commitments to equity and social justice

The UM Anti-Racism Strategy sets an ambitious goal of combatting institutional racism and moving towards racial justice. It advances anti-racism and Reconciliation for transformative change and to foster a vibrant community.

Roy Albright Obah.

Student Roy Albright Obah is another participant in the Fellows in Equity, Anti-Oppression and Social Justice program. For his project, he is working with Human Resources in the review of the Employment Equity Policy.

He says, “As a Black international student, this work reassures me of the institution’s commitment to meaningful change and to ensuring that all students feel seen, supported, and valued. It affirms my confidence in UM’s efforts to address inequities in a practical and intentional way.”

Tina Chen, Vice-Provost (Equity), says that an institutional endorsement of the strategy is also a significant step at a time when some post-secondary institutions are shrinking away from anti-racism, anti-oppression and equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) work. Chen leads UM’s Office of Equity Transformation (OET), which oversees the strategy.

Learn more about the UM Anti-Racism Strategy The strategy is informed by past and ongoing work by many community members, including: Office of Equity Transformation, the UM Anti-Racism Task Force, Anti-Racism Policy Committee, Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management, and Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Dismantling all Forms of Racism Policy.

A commitment to ‘being the kind of institution our community deserves’

Michael Robertson is the current chair of the UM Board of Governors, which endorsed the strategy.

He says, “The Anti-Racism Strategy is an expression of the University of Manitoba’s commitment to being the kind of institution our community deserves — one where dignity and opportunity are shared by all.”

“The strategy moves us closer to the equitable, responsive university Manitobans expect and need.” – Michael Robertson, Chair, Board of Governors

Michael Robertson.

Robertson is a passionate advocate for equity and community service and sees the new strategy as integral to the university. A former partner at Cibinel Architecture Ltd. for over a decade, he currently works as a consultant as an expert in Indigenous design and community development. In 2024, he was awarded the UM’s Distinguished Alumni Award in Community Service.

“This work matters deeply to me because universities only fulfill their mission when everyone can learn, teach and thrive without barriers,” he says. “The strategy moves us closer to the equitable, responsive university Manitobans expect and need.”

Vice-Provost (Equity) Tina Chen agrees. She says, “It’s important to be intentional and specific in taking meaningful anti-racist actions to dismantle systemic racism and to mitigate the harms caused by all forms of racism.”

She notes that the UM Anti-racism Strategy is based on enduring principles of human rights and is informed by community input and ongoing work done at the community level over many years. 

Amplifying the significance of racial justice for the entire UM community

Going forward, Chen says, “Our commitment to anti-racism and Reconciliation is a collective responsibility; all community members have a role to play.”

She adds, “We want to enhance the visibility of ongoing anti-racism efforts and provide a framework to continue this work.

“The strategy foregrounds shared humanity, equity, and care, as it calls people in through a focus on learning, dialogue and actions necessary to advance anti-racism at UM.”

Learn more about the UM Anti-Racism Strategy 

UM Anti-Racism Learning Framework

Earlier this year, UM introduced the Anti-Racism Learning Framework, a comprehensive educational pathway designed to support our community to participate in dismantling racism in all its forms.

As part of this commitment—and in alignment with provincial legislation—all UM employees are required to complete annual anti-racism training. The provincial anti-racism course, launched in April, is a foundational component of the framework. Faculty, staff, and student employees must complete the course no later than December 31, 2025.

Office of Equity Transformation (OET)

Find resources and opportunities to get involved and learn more about work being done by or in partnership with the Office of Equity Transformation (OET), which was established in 2023. The office supports UM’s commitment to accessibility, diversity and meaningful participation for all by providing leadership and coordination to address systemic inequities and to build community that’s rooted in equity.

This festive caravan is hard to miss. 

It includes lights, music, colourful displays, a full holiday photo setup, and free drinks.

AND Santa Claus himself — the Coca-Cola version — will also be making an appearance.

Grab your friends, family or roomies and snap your holiday photo!

Have a little seasonal fun with the legendary holiday caravan and drink in that festive feeling.

Where: Curry Place Pedway (close to the entry of the Extended education complex)
When: Dec. 4 | 4:30–6 p.m.

While you’re there, help spread cheer a little bit of extra cheer!

UMSU will be there raising awareness and collecting donations for UMSU Holiday Hampers, supporting students in need this season.

Coca-Cola Santa Claus is coming to town!

Born from the work of the TRC and release of the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action, the NCTR is a permanent place of learning and dialogue where the truths of the residential school experience are honoured and kept safe for future generations.  

Elders, Survivors and supporters gather outside the NCTR for its opening in November 2015.

As host of the NCTR, UM is more than a safekeeper of records, it is a partner in advancing truth and Reconciliation through education, research and community-led initiatives. To reflect on this milestone, we turn to the voices of those who have helped shape the NCTR and its deep connection to UM over the past decade.

“When the NCTR was first established, we knew this work would be generational. Over the past decade, we’ve seen how truth-telling is healing and creates space for real change. It has been humbling to witness Survivors guide and inspire a shared path forward,” said Stephanie Scott, Executive Director at the NCTR and Associate Vice President (Indigenous) Reconciliation at UM. “Ten years later, our responsibility remains the same, to honour the truths Survivors continue to share and ensure their voices are heard.”

Survivors, Elders, NCTR and UM leadership and government officials at the ceremonial sod turning at the future grounds of the NCTR.

Honouring the past as we look to the future

With this milestone anniversary, we honour the Survivors who have shared their truths and guided us to where we are today. Their courage continues to light the path forward.

“At UM, we carry the trust of Survivors the Indigenous community, and all Canadians. This trust is reflected in our commitment to preserving and sharing the documented truths of the residential school experience. These truths support ongoing learning for students, faculty and the entire university community,” says Angie Bruce, Vice-President (Indigenous).

As we look to the next generation, she reminds us of the impact on future leaders. “The impact of our future generation is huge as they have the invaluable opportunity to engage with truth and Reconciliation in deeply personal and meaningful ways. Whether through visits to the NCTR, participation in ceremony or learning directly from Survivors.”

This is a place where learning is guided by Indigenous voices and where students can take part in research and opportunities that honour those truths. These experiences help shape future leaders who carry this work forward.

Education is key

For 10 years, Kaila Johnston has been part of the team shaping how the NCTR delivers educational programming across the country, and right here at the Fort Garry Campus. Currently serving as Director of Education she says the NCTR is a living resource for students and faculty across disciplines.

Kaila Johnston, Director of Education & Public Programming at the NCTR

“Students can book the space anytime—for study groups using meeting rooms or the gallery,” shares Johnston. “We have a non-circulating library and archivists who help researchers learn to use the database. We host open houses, lunch-hour lecture series and online courses, which faculty and students can join anytime,” she explains.

Johnston underscores both the progress and the ongoing challenges of Reconciliation in academic spaces, reflecting on the unique responsibility UM carries as host of the NCTR.

“First, I want to emphasize that UM is the only university in Canada that formally apologized for training teachers who went into residential schools. The President [Barnard] gave that apology in 2011. But Reconciliation has no end point, you have to renew your commitment every year. As Justice Murray Sinclair said, ‘Education is what got us into this mess and education is key to getting us out of it.’”

Remembering Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair

Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair. Photo by Ian McCausland.

As we reflect on 10 years of truth-telling and healing, we also pause to honour the man whose courage and conviction made it possible, the late Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair [LLB/79, LLD/02] (Mazina Giizhik-iban — the One Who Speaks of Pictures in the Sky).

“Justice Murray Sinclair gifted us so many teachings and ideas that continue to guide our Reconciliation journey, and our university is committed to honouring his legacy,” says Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor. “His leadership helped create NCTR, and it is our university’s great privilege to help build a new, permanent home for NCTR—one that reflects Survivors’ vision and helps NCTR fulfill its mission and mandate. Like Justice Sinclair’s work, this new home will be a beacon to the world, guiding us in the essential work of understanding our true history so that we can advance Reconciliation.”

As Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair led efforts to gather more than 6,500 testimonies from residential school Survivors, resulting in the landmark 94 Calls to Action that continue to guide Canada’s journey toward Reconciliation.

Students leading the way in Reconciliation

Logan Nadeau, former Education Coordinator at the NCTR, continues his studies in the Faculty of Law at UM. Currently in his final year of the Juris Doctor program, Nadeau says he feels deeply connected to the NCTR, which sits just steps away from the Faculty of Law building.

Logan Nadeau attending the Anishinaabemowin Star Wars premiere at the Centennial Concert Hall.

As Nadeau transitioned from his role at NCTR into his first year of law school, he says he remained overwhelmingly inspired by the work of the NCTR. “The NCTR fueled my drive to pursuing a law degree so that I could become the best representative I could for my people.”

Harnessing this inspiration, Nadeau introduced an important tradition of ensuring all first-year law students visit the NCTR on their very first day of class.

For Nadeau, introducing this practice is about informing his new peers of the history of Canada’s Residential School System—grounding future lawyers in truth and the responsibilities of Reconciliation before they enter the field.

He says it also deepens his own understanding of what Reconciliation looks like in action, “Working at the NCTR fulfilled my need to become more involved with the community both at the University of Manitoba and in the city of Winnipeg.”

A pivotal time, a sacred place, a permanent legacy

As the NCTR marks its first decade, attention is turning to its future. The NCTR is preparing to move into a new permanent home on lands returned to Survivors by UM.

“The generosity of our funders and allies, and our partnership with the University of Manitoba have all been a vital part in helping us carry this sacred responsibility. Together, we now look ahead to building the Centre’s new home—a place where learning, research and community will continue to center the truths of Survivors and preserve their powerful legacy entrusted to us,” says Scott.

This space will be an international attraction where history and Indigenous cultures come to life, offering room for archives, programming and community gatherings.

“The NCTR has grown so much since its inception from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. From modest spaces at the U of M’s Research Road to its foundation at Chancellor’s Hall, the NCTR now plants root in a space that will allow its mandate to flourish and its influence to grow into the future,” Nadeau shares.

The new home of the NCTR will offer a safe and welcoming space for Survivors, families and visitors to share knowledge, find healing and reconnect. It will also create more opportunities for students, staff, faculty and the wider community to come together, strengthening NCTR’s role as a national and international leader in truth and Reconciliation.

What’s your commitment to truth and Reconciliation?

The anniversary calls on all of us to reflect on what it means to have such a significant place for truth-telling, learning and healing right here on campus, as well as the collective responsibility we share. The work of Reconciliation is ongoing, and it belongs to every one of us.

Scott reminds us that we all have a role in addressing truth and Reconciliation.

“As with any enduring partnership, there are moments that test our shared resolve. In those times, we must continue to stand together, steadfast in truth, united in purpose, and unwavering in our commitment to confront denialism and uphold Survivors’ truths.”

For more:

To learn more about the NCTR and available programming, visit their website.

Read the 94 Calls to Action.

To learn more about UM’s commitment to truth and Reconciliation, explore the Truth and Reconciliation Framework webpage.

Toby Le speaks at the TEDxWinnipeg event in 2024 as a PhD candidate in medical microbiology at UM.

TEDxWinnipeg is a platform to elevate individual stories and contribute to a global dialogue on meaningful issues. Alumni, faculty, staff and students, this is your chance to bring your ideas to the global audience and inspire collaboration.

The 2025 event was a big success and included talks from UM researchers and alumni, and a musical performance by Victoria Sparks, a renowned percussionist in the Desautels Faculty of Music. 

UM is excited to host this event again at the beautiful Desautels Concert Hall, and TEDxWinnipeg provides exceptional speaker training to prepare you for this stage.

Anyone with an idea worth spreading is encouraged to apply. Applications close December 12.

The motion picture, called “Sticks & Stones”, is an underdog story about a curling team going for gold at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Filming will begin once it gets dark outside but during the day you may notice changes to some of the banners lining the filming areas.

These areas impacted include: 
1.  Curry Place walkway between Princess Royal Walk and University Crescent

2.  Maclean Crescent between Dafoe Road and Freedman Crescent

If you are nearby, you may be advised to temporarily wait at times for everyone’s personal safety. The company has agreed to do its best to redirect pedestrian traffic and keep hold times to a minimum. 

The company greatly appreciates being able to utilize the University of Manitoba campus for its movie production, and thanks the community in advance for understanding.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the on-site location manager Michael Cowles at (204) 955-7525 on the filming day.

Foxes tend to keep to themselves and generally pose no risk to people or pets. In fact, they help control rodent populations and contribute to a healthy urban environment. The best approach is to simply give them space and let them go about their business while we go about ours.

Please don’t feed the foxes

While it can feel like an act of kindness, feeding wildlife can cause real harm. When foxes start to associate humans with food, they can become bolder and approach people or populated areas more frequently. Human food can also make them sick or even lead to death if their bodies cannot tolerate it.

By resisting the urge to feed foxes or any wildlife, we help them stay wild and self-sufficient.

How you can help

• Keep your distance. If you see a fox, enjoy the sight from afar.
• Do not feed or try to pet them.
• Secure garbage and outdoor food sources so wildlife is not tempted to scavenge.
• Report unusual behaviour, such as an injured or aggressive animal, to Security Services at 204-474-9341.

Together, we can ensure the university remains a safe, respectful place for people and for the wildlife that share our campus.

For more information, contact: Jessica.norman2@umanitoba.ca

International Cello Festival of Canada

Artistic Director Paul Marleyn and the Agassiz Chamber Music Festival are bringing the International Cello Festival of Canada to Winnipeg once more. This five-day long festival is set to highlight cello music in a plethora of styles and musical genres including baroque, jazz, classical, and contemporary.

The festival also celebrates many of Winnipeg’s finest musicians through partnerships with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, and Dead of Winter.

The spotlight will also be on young artists with the Zara Nelsova National Cello Competition Finals, various masterclasses, and concerts showcasing the Desautels Faculty of Music’s (DFOM) very own cello students.

The Desautels Concert Hall welcome cellists

Many of the festival’s events will take place in the Desautels Concert Hall, showcasing the hall as Winnipeg’s premiere chamber music venue, with multiple concerts scheduled in the hall each day.

Minna Chung, Professor of Cello at the DFOM, shares how important this festival is for the DFOM community:

“Having many concerts performed on our campus makes it especially meaningful for both our students and the community as we celebrate the acoustical gem of the Desautels Concert Hall. It’s a thrill to welcome the world’s most dynamic and engaging cellists, innovators, and educators to our vibrant city in the heart of the prairies. I’m incredibly grateful to Artistic Director Paul Marleyn and the Agassiz Chamber Music Festival whose collective vision and generosity reflect the spirit of the prairies: vast, welcoming, and alive with music!”

The festival boasts many free events happening on campus and throughout the city. All events in Eva Clare Hall are free for current DFOM students, alongside offering reduced student rates that ensure the concerts are as accessible as possible for students.

Events taking place on campus

October 28, 2025 | 1:30 p.m, | Desautels Concert Hall
Zara Nelsova National Cello Competition: Finals
$20 General | $15 Under 30 | FREE for DFOM students*

October 28, 2025 | 4:00 p.m. | Desautels Concert Hall
Two Cellos, Two Worlds: Beyond the Classics
$20 General

October 29, 2025 | 9:15 a.m. | Desautels Concert Hall
The Bach Café: Suite No. 1 & 2**
$20 General | $15 Under 30 | $10 DFOM students*

October 29, 2025 | 10:30 a.m. | Eva Clare Hall
Masterclass with Santiago Cañón Valencia
$10 General | FREE for DFOM students*

October 29, 2025 | 12:30 p.m. | Eva Clare Hall
Cellists of the Future: Featuring the C-String Collective, Juliana Moroz, and Jacob MacDonald
FREE

October 29, 2025 | 2:00 p.m. | Desautels Concert Hall
Force of Nature: The Beethoven Cello Sonatas
$30 General | $20 Under 30 | $5 DFOM students*

October 29, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. | Desautels Concert Hall
The Ocean in a Drop: Dead of Winter, choral ensemble, under the direction of Mel Braun and Andrew Balfour,
Conductors with three festival cellists
$35 General

October 30, 2025 | 9:15 a.m. | Desautels Concert Hall
The Bach Café: Suite No. 3 & 4**
$20 General | $15 Under 30 | $10 DFOM students*

October 30, 2025 | 10:30 a.m. | Eva Clare Hall
Masterclass with Alban Gerhardt
$10 General | FREE for DFOM students*

October 30, 2025 | 6:30 p.m. | Desautels Concert Hall
Cello Chat: A Conversation with A Festival Artist | I’ve Got the World on a String
$45 General | $22 Under 30

October 30, 2025 | 6:30 p.m. | Desautels Choral Arts Room
Cello Chat: A Conversation with Richard Gillis WJO AD and festival cellist Zander Howard-Scott
FREE

October 30, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. | Desautels Concert Hall
I’ve Got the World on a String: The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra and four festival cellists
$45 General | $22 Under 30

October 31, 2025 | 9:15 a.m. | Desautels Concert Hall
The Bach Café: Suite No. 5** | Cello Chat: with Matthias Bartolomey
$20 General | $15 Under 30 | $10 DFOM students*

October 31, 2025 | 10:30 a.m. | Eva Clare Hall
Masterclass with Bryan Cheng
$10 General | FREE for DFOM students*

October 31, 2025 | 12:30 p.m. | Eva Clare Hall
Zara Nelsova National Cello Competition Winner in Recital
FREE

November 1, 2025 | 9:15 a.m. | Desautels Concert Hall
The Bach Café: Suite No. 6** | Cello Chat: with Alban Gerhardt
$20 General | $15 Under 30 | $10 DFOM students*

November 1, 2025 | 10:30 a.m. | Eva Clare Hall
Masterclass with Colin Carr
$10 General | FREE for DFOM students*

November 1, 2025 | 1:30 p.m. | Desautels Concert Hall
No Muse Required
$20 General 

Festival Pass ($200) Grants full access to the entire festival, including concerts that have already sold out.

Single tickets and full events list available on the Agassiz Music website.

*With valid student ID at the doors or contact event staff directly

**Complimentary pastries, coffee, tea from local vendors La Belle Baguette, The Empty Cup and the Bakery at Safeway Saint-Boniface.

Two Bisons are displayed on the banners: one a vibrant red and blue design from our original group of Bison illustrations; the second displays the “Nîpîy Iskôtêw – Water Fire,” illustration by Ininew (Swampy Cree) and Anishinabe (Ojibwe) artist Peatr Thomas, the first of four new Bison designs by Indigenous artists that will be introduced throughout the year. A third banner states “We are all Bisons” highlighting that—no matter our unique path—we are each a part of the UM community.

The lightweight mesh banners are installed with tension to not impact the masonry and printed purposely on one side to allow additional light to shine through. The banners are now part of numerous focal points being installed on our campuses, part of a multi-phased effort to create a vibrant and inclusive campus experience for all students, staff, alum and visitors. The installations also share our ever-evolving story of who we are as a community.

The tunnel from the BookStore to the engineering complex now has illustrated Bisons adorning one wall, together with facts and figures.

New pedestrian banners along Curry Place, William Norrie Walkway and Princess Royal Walk, as well as new streetlight banners on both main campuses have also been installed. A new mural highlights “We are bold and brilliant” on the tunnel connecting the BookStore and Engineering complex, and vibrant Bisons designs adorn the Brodie Centre downtown.

Illustrated Bisons are shown applied above the elevator doors in the Brodie Centre on the Bannatyne campus.

We hope you enjoy the new campus installations and share your Bison pride in being part of the UM community – there is even more to come!