“My time at UM taught me that university is one of the best places to get a sense of who you want to be in an increasingly complex world.”

Talia Smith

An elective course “fundamentally changed the way I think,” Talia Smith says. She was pursuing psychology at UM when she took the optional philosophy class with Dr. Carl Matheson.

“He presented philosophy as a discipline where creativity and curiosity collide…where you’re encouraged to challenge the ideas that have built the very foundation of our lives,” Smith says. “I recognized that philosophy was the best avenue for me to explore and reconceptualize how we exist in the world.”

Now Smith is graduating from UM and has already begun graduate studies at the University of Oxford, something they never thought would be possible. They were encouraged to apply by Dr. Steve Lecce, a key mentor during their time at UM.

At times, Smith questioned their capacity to excel in academic spaces. They initially reached out to Dr. Lecce for help on a paper. The political theory professor became a consistent voice of support and encouragement over the course of three years. He “helped me find opportunities to challenge myself in new ways to build my confidence,” she says.

Smith received an Undergraduate Research Award to explore the politics of gifted education alongside Lecce and presented their work at a conference for political theorists from across Canada, an experience that was both enriching and illuminating, she says.

So far, their career path has been non-linear. They hope to use the diverse experience they’ve gained to build bridges between academic and professional spaces, generating new ways of thinking. Environmental governance is Smith’s current focus, specifically our relationship to wildlife in places and contexts where humans are considered primary stakeholders.

 “My time at UM taught me that university is one of the best places to get a sense of who you want to be in an increasingly complex world,” she says. “As long as you remain actively engaged, open to new opportunities, and take classes and build relationships with professors who challenge you to think deeply, you’ll emerge a more thoughtful version of yourself who can hold nuance and tackle challenges with equal parts grace and rigour.”

UM Bisons are at the center of it all, making a difference here in Manitoba and around the world. 1,395 students are graduating this Fall, bringing the number of graduates in the class of 2025 to 5,586 so far. Many of these new alumni will stay in Manitoba, contributing high-demand skills to the labour market and injecting nearly $300 million into the province’s economy each year.

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

My name is Emma Cowman (she/they) and I grew up in Treaty 4 & 7 territories, in Regina, Saskatchewan and Calgary, Alberta. I have a BA honours in Psychology, and a BA in Women & Gender Studies from the University of Regina, and I am a volunteer with the Regina Abortion Support Network, Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada, and am a board member on Action Canada’s National Youth Advisory Board. Currently, I live in Regina, with my partner, cat, and two dogs.

I moved to Winnipeg to attend the University of Manitoba’s foundational MSW program. I have since completed my coursework for the foundational and advanced years and returned home to Saskatchewan, where I have been conducting my research virtually. I am deeply interested in Reproductive Justice research, specifically relating to the topics of abortion, reproductive coercion, and 2SLGBTQIA+ reproduction.

What is your research about and why did you choose to focus on reproductive justice for 2SLGBTQIA+ people?

My MSW thesis uses the Reproductive Justice conceptual framework to explore the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ people who have accessed or sought access to abortion care in Manitoba. My project has come out of Dr. Lindsay Larios’ project Abortion in Manitoba: An intersectional analysis of care, in which I have been working as a research assistant on this project for nearly two years. Throughout the data collection phase of the Abortion in Manitoba project, I had the honour to hear abortion stories from many Manitobans, including a few queer and trans Manitobans. Their stories stood out to me as a queer person as they spoke about the challenges they uniquely faced as non-heterosexual-cisgender people in abortion spaces. Abortion research tends to be focused on cisgender-heterosexual experiences, as there remains to be an underlying assumption that only cisgender-heterosexual women can become pregnant. Through my MSW thesis, I hope to not only challenge these normative assumptions, but also advocate for more inclusive and affirming abortion care spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ in Manitoba.

Do you have any advice for MSW students who are just starting their program?

My advice for MSW students who are just starting their program is to build relationships with their classmates, advisor, and instructors. I met some amazing friends and have had some amazing mentors throughout my time in the MSW program who have supported and cheered me on. From helping me understand class concepts to being a soundboard for my thesis ideas – these people have made my time in the program so meaningful, and I could not have come this far without them!

What is your vision for the future and what do you hope your research accomplishes?

My vision for the future is to stay in the Canadian prairies and keep showing up as a reproductive justice advocate and researcher for my communities. This fall, I’ll be submitting PhD applications so I can keep learning, growing, and exploring new ways to encourage change. I hope that this project, and the ones to come, can spark conversations, shift policies, and improve healthcare in ways that truly reflect the principles of reproductive justice. More than anything, I want my work to help create prairie communities where everyone can make decisions about their bodies, families, and futures free from stigma, coercion, and systemic barriers.

Emma’s project is still recruiting participants for interviews. If you identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, have sought or accessed an abortion in Manitoba in the last five years (2020-2025), are 18 years or older, and are interested in participating, you can contact Emma via email at emma.cowman@umanitoba.ca.

Participation entails a 1-1.5-hour interview via Zoom, and all participants will receive a $40 honorarium as a thank you for participation.

Through the Diversifying the UM Art Collection program, 15 artworks by 11 artists were procured during the summer of 2025. The program is the second project of this type at UM, following the Indigenous Student-Led Art Purchasing Project (ISLAPP) launched in 2023, and is a partnership with UM’s Office of Equity Transformation (OET).

Kay Maskiw-Connelly (they/them) [BAHons/12, MA/16, MBA/25] coordinated the 2SLGBTQIA+ cohort as part of their fellowship in Equity, Anti-Oppression and Social Justice through the OET, and they were also part of the art selection committee. For the master’s student working on their third degree at UM, being involved was more than a leadership opportunity; it was a way to make space and a chance to help others feel seen.

“An art project is really the perfect way for the university to normalize and raise awareness about queer identities, and queer relationships,” Maskiw-Connelly says. “There are still some folks who are not very accepting, and I think a lot of the time, it’s just this fear of the unknown.”

Kay Maskiw-Connelly

Maskiw-Connelly believes engaging with 2SLGBTQIA+ art can help inform new perspectives. “When there are these beautiful paintings like “Embrace” by Laura Lewis [BFAHons/18] which shows a female couple embracing—I think that shows people who haven’t witnessed a queer relationship that [they’re] very similar to a heteronormative relationship in the sense that there is this loving, respectful relationship between two people. Hopefully seeing that shows them that the university is an inclusive space and there are different forms of love and all of them are valid. Hopefully that creates more understanding and respect between people.”

The project recruited eight people who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to sit on the art selection committee— primarily students and a couple of non-academic staff members. Each person researched artists individually and then the group met virtually to make recommendations and view artist portfolios together.

According to Maskiw-Connelly: “The committee feels like it was an honor to get to choose these artworks collaboratively…that they were part of such a big project where the administration is investing this money and saying ‘we trust you enough to decide for us to represent your own community.’ That’s really empowering.”

With their selections, the group focused on queer artists who are local or Canadian. Their goal was to acquire a variety of artworks of diverse mediums, and some of the themes they explored were identity, relationships and representation.

Once they had narrowed down their considerations, Maskiw-Connelly would reach out to see if the artists were interested in selling their artwork to the university and having it displayed on campus. They also confirmed that all the artists were comfortable with being identified as members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

“I think every single one of them said they were honoured to have their artwork on campus,” Maskiw-Connelly says. “Especially those who had studied at UM; it really felt very personal for them.”

The final selections include a wool blanket, photographs, digital drawings, paintings, prints, pottery and beadwork on canvas. The pieces are now with the UM Art Collection Registrar to go through the formal acquisition process and when that step is complete, they will be installed in secure areas on campus.

While the 2SLGBTQIA+ version of the project is wrapping up, the legacy will continue— through the increased representation of queer art on UM campuses, and through the relationships developed during the project.

“I was bullied a lot for my identity and really hid it for many, many years and for various reasons in various spaces,” Maskiw-Connelly says. “Meeting a lot of different [2SLGBTQIA+] people creates a sense of community and a sense of safety because the more people you know on campus, you feel like, oh— I could always go check in with that person if I needed support, and I know there are people on campus who are safe people to go to. I think for a lot of students—especially if they are undergrads who may not know a lot of people, may not have come out until recently or may still be living kind of secretly or quietly— joining projects like this is a really great opportunity to connect with other community members.”

Help create transformational change: apply for the 2025-26 committee

The 2025-26 Diversifying the UM Art Collection committee will consist of 5 to 7 students and non-academic staff who identify as Black or racially marginalized. Committee members will meet artists and curators, visit studios, and select artwork by Black or racially marginalized artists to be acquired by the University of Manitoba University Art Collections. These new acquisitions will be placed on display in public and semi-public spaces at UM.

Deadline for expression of interest: October 3, 2025

Apply now

Have questions? Please contact equity@umanitoba.ca.

The 2SLGBTQIA+ Emerging Teachers and Educators webpage, now live on the Faculty of Education site, brings together a wide range of teaching resources, practicum support, and community links, providing a centralized hub for those learning about or working toward 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in educational spaces.

Dr. Robert Mizzi and Dean Jan Stewart championed the creation of the new Faculty of Education webpage dedicated to 2SLGBTQIA+ resources for teachers and educators.

At the heart of the project is Dr. Robert Mizzi, Canada Research Chair in Queer, Community, and Diversity Education and a professor in the Faculty of Education. The site, also strongly supported by Dean Jan Stewart, was created to address gaps in accessibility and visibility of supports for 2SLGBTQIA+ students and educators. 

“Dean Jan Stewart and I recognized that while important work around 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion was happening, it wasn’t always easy to access or well-known among students. This platform brings together queer knowledge, community resources, and real-world tools in one accessible place,” said Mizzi, who also presented at TEDx Winnipeg (at the University of Manitoba) on the “Power of Rural LGBTQ+ Pride”.

A resource for educators—and beyond 

While the website is tailored to emerging teachers and practicing educators, Dr. Mizzi emphasizes that it has value for a broader audience, including school administrators, counsellors, parents, and community organizations. 

“Inclusion is a collective responsibility,” Mizzi stated. “Even those who are already grounded in equity work may find new insights and tools here. The goal is to foster understanding and action across all levels of education.”

Supporting safer schools and courageous teaching 

Beyond its practical offerings, the site represents a public commitment by the Faculty of Education to create safer, more informed, and affirming educational spaces. It is both a teaching tool and a declaration of values. 

“We hope the website sparks open dialogue and helps educators feel more confident leading conversations about sexual and gender diversity,” said Dr. Mizzi. “It’s about creating space for courageous teaching.”

Features that inform and empower 

Key features of the website include: 

• Support for 2SLGBTQIA+ students on practicum, including guidance on navigating identity in school settings 

• Curated local and national resources, such as links to the Rainbow Resource Centre and the Manitoba Teachers’ Society 

• A glossary of key terms to support foundational learning 

• Balanced academic and applied content on topics like wellness, inclusive curriculum, and sexual health 

Dr. Mizzi notes that for many, simply having access to a centralized, affirming platform can be transformative in supporting inclusive practice. Says one current B.Ed. student after after reviewing the webpage, “As a queer Bachelor of Education student, finding resources that affirm 2SLGBTQ+ identities in education isn’t just helpful — it’s essential. Tools like this remind me that there’s a place for me in the classroom, and that inclusion isn’t an add-on, it’s the foundation for truly equitable learning.”

Bridging research, teaching, and advocacy 

One unique aspect of the site is a digital teaching resource developed in tandem with the 2SLGBTQIA+ History Mural now displayed in the Education Building. The mural, created as part of Dr. Mizzi’s ongoing research and public education work, illustrates key moments in Canadian queer history. 

One section of the webpage is dedicated to the 2SLGBTQIA+ History Mural at the Faculty of Education.

Through the website, users can interact with the mural and learn about the significance of each image, linking past struggles with contemporary classroom learning. 

“This is part of a broader effort to make queer history visible and teachable,” said Dr. Mizzi. “It’s a visual and educational anchor that supports our broader goals for inclusion.” 

Faculty support 

The website was funded through a grant from the Faculty of Education.  

“I’m deeply grateful to the Faculty for supporting this project,” said Dr. Mizzi. “This site reflects our shared commitment to equity, research-informed practice, and building inclusive communities inside and outside the classroom.” 

UM celebrates Pride to reaffirm our commitment to be a welcoming, inclusive environment for all. It’s a time to show visible allyship and support for two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual and gender identities (2SLGBTQIA+).

Let us know what you’re planning

If you are organizing events for Pride Week (May 23 to June 1) or throughout Pride Month, please let us know. Submit your event details through the UM Pride Events form so we can promote a comprehensive calendar of celebrations happening across our campuses.

Pride Winnipeg Parade – Save the date!

Join the UM community as we once again walk together in the Pride Winnipeg Parade on Sunday, June 1. Sign up today and show your UM Pride!

For information about all UM Pride community events, visit the 2SLGBTQIA+ community webpage.

UM is committed to fostering research by, for and with Indigenous Peoples, as demonstrated in the institution’s Strategic Research Plan, 2024-29. Each of the four new Canada Research Chairs are either Indigenous scholars or are engaging in research involving Indigenous researchers and/or communities. Their work incorporates Indigenous perspectives, knowledges, paradigms and tools that represent First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples and honours their distinctions.

“UM is excited to welcome the newest group of incredible CRCs,” said Mario Pinto, Vice-President, Research and International. “These researchers represent a cross section of exciting research in various disciplines – from physics to social justice – advancing critical work from an Indigenous perspective. UM has invested wisely!”

The CRC program recognizes world-class researchers to reinforce academic research and training excellence in Canada and attract top talent. Chair holders are focused on humanities, social sciences, engineering and the natural sciences, and health sciences. UM has a total allocation of 50 CRCs.

New Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs

Lucy Delgado – Faculty of Education

Lucy Delgado

Michif and Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer Education as Wellness 

Delgado is focusing on Michif (Métis) youth identity, Indigenous education, queer theory and will be building on her research program by partnering with educators in Manitoba. Through a Métis conceptual framework, emphasizing “Being a Good Relative,” grounded in wahkotowin (kinship relations) and kiyokewin (visiting) and informed by antiracist and anti-oppressive theories, this research will be grounded in joy and community building amongst 2S/IQ Michif peoples to amplify community voices.

Delgado’s research will:            

• Determine the ways Michif and 2S/IQ perspectives, histories and stories are addressed in Manitoba K–12 education.
• Develop tools and techniques for different educational safe spaces in both formal and informal learning settings to improve the experiences of Michif and 2S/IQ learners.
• Design research and gathering spaces that prioritize joy and celebration of self and culture to re-claim knowledge and co-create research that meets Michif ethical commitments.

Delgado was recently awarded a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Project Grant to fund her work on the impact of Métis-specific spaces on the health and wellness of Métis women and Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer people.

Learn more about Lucy Delgado.

Jeremy Patzer – Department of Sociology and Criminology

Jeremy Patzer

Comparative Indigenous Rights 

Patzer is engaging in new collaborative work with Indigenous communities from Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and Finland to study the complexities and barriers faced by Indigenous rights activities.

Patzer’s CRC program aims to use sociolegal data and interviews with Indigenous rights advocates to deepen understanding through comparative study. This work will emphasize a transdisciplinary approach based on Indigenous experiences and will compare Indigenous rights, not only by jurisdiction or group, but also by activity and the type of struggle. This approach recognizes diverse avenues for rights assertion within law and politics.

Patzer is Métis, Saulteaux and German with roots in the West Interlake region of Manitoba. (Indigenous family names are Spence, Monkman, Pottinger, and Dumas.) A citizen of the MMF, Patzer co-owns the family farm in the Vogar Métis Local, just outside Lake Manitoba First Nation, and has family ties to members of Peguis and Sagkeeng First Nations.

Dr. Patzer’s work will:

• Compare different types of struggles.
• Identify opportunities for and obstacles to success.
• Examine their effects on strategies and aspirations of advocates.
• Collaborate with Indigenous peoples to co-produce knowledge and equip and empower for more effective rights advocacy.

Learn more about Dr. Patzer.

Warren Bernauer – Department of Environment and Geography

Warren Bernauer

Energy Transitions and Social Justice in the North

Barnauer’s CRC program will examine inequities, conflicts and the social justice effects of moving away from fossil fuels, focusing on Northern Indigenous communities and conflict over critical mineral extraction and electricity generation.

Using participatory action research methods, Barnauer will work with Indigenous partners to explore the possibilities and challenges of a just transition away from fossil fuels. He will focus on conflicts and injustices in current energy transition approaches and identify alternatives that emphasize improved resource management and economic development. Specific projects will support Indigenous involvement in decision-making about mineral extraction, waste management, electricity production and alternative economic approaches. The North is changing, and this research ensures Indigenous peoples will influence this transformation.

Dr. Bernauer’s research will:

• Examine conflicts and injustices in the current approach to energy transition.
• Identify alternative approaches to energy transition policy in Northern Canada.
• Work in partnership with Indigenous communities and advisors with expertise to highlight the complexity at the heart of pressing social, economic and ecological issues.

Learn more about Dr. Bernauer.

Kyle Shiells – Department of Physics and Astronomy

Kyle Shiells

Nuclear Femtography

The study of nuclear femtometers, which are a million times smaller than an atom and are used to describe tiny dimensions, has become a frontier involving researchers in multiple disciplines. Shiells’ research focuses on better understanding protons. He will use advanced statistical and mathematical methods to address complex challenges and help solve the mysteries of the proton.

Shiells’ CRC program aims to merge cutting-edge theory with new and existing data to answer important lingering questions about protons, including:

• How does the proton acquire its spin?
• How are the quarks and gluons distributed within the proton?
• How does the proton acquire its mass?

Learn more about Dr. Shiells.

Canada Research Chair Renewals

Britt Drögemöller – CRC in Pharmacogenomics and Precision Medicine. Learn more about Dr. Drögemöller.

Andrew Halayko – CRC in Lung Pathobiology and Treatment. Learn more about Dr. Halayko.

Lisa Lix – CRC in Methods for Electronic Health Data Quality. Learn more about Dr. Lix