Ralph’s safety leadership has supported students and colleagues across academic generations. Known as a reliable and approachable resource, Ralph has supported coworkers through chemical safety updates, hazard identification, WHMIS training, and equipment use guidance. He frequently assists new technicians with safe chemical disposal, regularly answers protocol questions, and has helped ensure that all laboratory groups follow requirements and guidelines.

A long-time advocate for laboratory safety, Ralph has gone above and beyond his formal duties by organizing and delivering annual WHMIS presentations for the Plant Science Department, ensuring all lab members stay informed of current regulatory requirements. His leadership has ensured that the department keeps current with safety legislation standards, and his presentations are a trusted part of the department’s safety culture.

Quotes from colleagues illustrate the depth of his influence. Colleagues noted,

• “Ralph would visit me in my lab to update me on hazardous chemical updates and help me prepare for safety inspections.”
• “He makes himself approachable with regard to any question, whether it be from graduate students or coworkers unsure of how to proceed.”

Notably, this nomination was a collective effort, submitted with the signatures of multiple staff members from his department, all attesting to the role Ralph has played in shaping a safer workplace. The nominations for Ralph strongly empathize his leadership, consistency, and genuine care for the well-being of others has left a lasting mark on the University of Manitoba community.

Please join us in congratulating Ralph Kowatsch on this well-earned recognition and thanking him for his contributions to keep our campus safe.

She is a Red River Métis doula, artist, MSW-IK student, sundancer, cedar bath conductor, and community helper from Treaty 1 Territory, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her spirit name, Leads With Light, guides her in her community work, and is grounded in her relationships with her family and her community. She comes from a long line of fierce aunties and carries on the tradition with her 13 nephews and nieces, and 1 great niece.

In this Q&A, Candace talks about her work as an experienced doula, and shares insight about the Master in Social Work based in Indigenous Knowledges program (MSW-IK).

Why did you decide to focus your research on Indigenous women who are pregnant and living with HIV?

I have been doing community work for the past 20 years and Indigenous doula work for the past 10 years. A couple years ago, I started working on the Indigenous HIV Doula program through Ka Ni Kanichihk and the Village Lab. As a birth worker, what stood out for me, were the stories shared by Indigenous women who had experienced pregnancy while living with HIV. Although everyone’s experiences were unique to their journeys, there was a common thread of relationships, sharing of stories, and cultural and land connections that were powerful. I wanted to do research that honoured this.

Besides research, what other ways are you sharing your talents?

Alongside Indigenous midwife Melissa Brown, I co-founded Zaagi’idiwiin Indigenous Doula Training. Together we have trained hundreds of doulas from Indigenous communities across Turtle Island. As a doula, I volunteer my time to support Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQIA+ birthing people whenever I can.

Why did you choose the MSW-IK program as part of your post-secondary journey?

I chose the MSW-IK program because a very good friend of my recommended it to me. My work is focused on my community, as well as other Indigenous communities across Turtle Island and the focus of Indigenous knowledges in this program seemed to be in alignment with that.

Do you have any insight for prospective students interested in the program?

For any students considering applying for this, I would say that the elders make this program. They are so knowledgeable, supportive, and are the heart of the program.

Candace Neumann is currently working on her research thesis in the MSW-IK program and hopes to defend this summer.

“As part of my volunteering experience with HealthyU, I meet with students one-on-one to talk about physical, mental, and sexual health questions and needs. This experience has helped me develop important communication skills such as attentive listening, as I help students think through their situation and refer them to helpful resources.”

The Student Experience and Development (SEAD) team wants to hear more stories and reflections like this — how getting involved has helped you grow, your achievements, and how we can support your journey and improve the student experience.

Applications are now open for the Experiential Learning Award, available to all students and recent alumni who have participated in co-curricular activities listed in the Experience Catalogue. The application process involves reflecting on how an activity has contributed to your personal and professional development.

Recipients will get a chance to receive one of three $100 UM Bookstore gift cards and an opportunity to share their get involved stories in the broader campaign to get other students excited about being involved. They will also receive an Experiential Learning Award certificate and a notation on their Experience Record.

Application closes on Friday, May 2 at 4:30 p.m. (CDT)

For more details and to apply visit the Experiential Learning Award website.

Dr. John Sinclair sitting in a boat on a river, looking out at the nature surrounding him.

On February 7^th, Dr. John Sinclair from the Natural Resources Institute at the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources was announced as the winner of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. This award will be presented to Dr. Sinclair at IAIA’s annual conference event in Bologna, Italy during May of this year.

The IAIA Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded to long-term supporters and members of IAIA for major contributions to the field of impact assessment.

Spanning more than 30 years, Dr. Sinclair has been recognized by his colleagues as a champion of impact assessment, working tirelessly to expand and strengthen both its theoretical foundations and practical implementation. He is driven by his passion for furthering what he refers to as “the sustainability project”, where he considers impact assessment one of the most fundamental tools for ensuring sustainability considerations to inform planning and decision making, while simultaneously promoting democratic participation and facilitating social and transformative learning.

Dr. Sinclair’s academic work prominently focuses on learning and public participation in impact assessment, which has led to: over 140 peer-reviewed journal publications and refereed book chapters and reports, 85 conference presentations, dozens of reports for government agencies and environmental organizations, and the training and supervision of over 100 graduate students.

Dr. Sinclair joined the IAIA public participation section in the early 2000’s, and since 2017 has served as section co-chair. This area of work has led to a recently published book, Handbook of Public Participation in Impact Assessment (2024). The book was written with an international group of authors, many of whom are IAIA members.

Leading to research projects in Canada and internationally, Dr. Sinclair’s academic output has led to work in India, Thailand, and Kenya. His current group of 11 Master’s students includes work in: India, examining approaches to community-based strategic assessment; Colombia, considering the local implementation of essential elements for meaningful public participation, and Canada, exploring national carbon offsets in impact assessment.

One recent PhD graduate extended their work on community-based approaches and an incorporation of next generation IA elements in two live assessments of water development projects in Kenya.

Many of Dr. Sinclair’s graduate students have gone on to careers in the impact assessment field with all levels of settler governments, Indigenous governments and governance organizations, consulting firms, and environmental organizations. One of his Master’s students went on to found Narratives Inc., recognized with the 2024 IAIA Corporate Initiative Award for developing a harmonized impact assessment model in partnership with Niiwin Wendaanimok, an Indigenous construction and environmental monitoring firm.

Dr. Sinclair’s colleagues are continually impressed by his tireless dedication to his life’s work, both inside and outside the academy. His achievements have made significant contributions to the understanding and promotion of best practices for impact assessment.

Congratulations, Dr. John Sinclair!

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About the Person Who is Named in the Scholarship: David J. Paterson (1879-1975)

David J. Paterson

David J. Paterson immigrated to Canada with his family in 1888. They settled near Helston, Manitoba, where they established a homestead. By the early 1920s, they had developed a large farm named Forest Home, reflecting their Scottish heritage. However, the farm faced challenges, including devastating crop failures and diseases that wiped out their cattle.

Around 50 years later, David J. Paterson successfully built a new farm along the Whitemud River in Westbourne, Manitoba. Here, he dedicated himself to his passion for the prairie landscape and created the Perry Park on a 10-acre stretch of riverbank. This public park became a local destination, attracting up to 100 cars every weekend as families enjoyed swimming, boating, and picnicking under the canopy of ancient elms.

In the spirit of his dedication to the community, David later donated the park to the municipality and 80 acres of adjacent prairie refuge to the Manitoba Nature Conservancy.

About the Philosophy and Legacy of David J. Paterson

According to his son, David J. Paterson was guided by the belief that “There are no pockets in a shroud. The things you give away are the things that you keep forever.” His contributions to farming and various charitable causes earned him numerous accolades, including being named “Manitoba Citizen of the Year” by the Winnipeg Tribune in 1956 and receiving the title of one of Manitoba’s original “Golden Boys” in 1960.

About the Scholarship Donor: Douglas Paterson

Douglas Paterson at the 2024 CSLA Congress

Douglas (Doug) Paterson [B.Sc/64], the donor of this new scholarship, is an Associate Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia’s Landscape Architecture Program. We met him at the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) congress in Winnipeg in June 2024. He spoke fondly of his inspirational father and caring mother, life on a prairie farm, and the joy he still experiences when he leaves the house barefoot for a stroll on a sunny morning, greeted by goats and damp meadows.

Growing up in Manitoba, Doug Paterson earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba in 1964 and a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan. He began his professional career in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He joined the young firm of Man, Taylor, and Muret, now known as The Lombard North Group, and led the Winnipeg office until 1980 before transferring to Vancouver. He has held numerous academic and professional leadership roles, including the headship of the Landscape Architecture Program for three terms at the University of British Columbia, the presidency of the CSLA from 1981 to 1983, the chairmanship of the CSLA College of Fellows, and the regional directorship of the North American Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA). Doug Paterson was also the first president of the Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects (MALA), established in 1973. In addition, he has served on several advisory and editorial boards, including Landscape Architecture Magazine and the Journal of Landscape and Regional Planning. Throughout his academic career, he has maintained an active small practice. He now celebrates life by farming on a small scale on Salt Spring Island.

In 2024, at the CLSA congress in Winnipeg, he was honoured with the CSLA Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment and contributions to the landscape architecture profession. 

About the Importance of the New Entrance Scholarship

This entrance scholarship honours David J. Paterson’s legacy and fosters a new generation of landscape architects at the University of Manitoba, dedicated to preserving and enhancing rural landscapes. It will nurture a deep understanding and love for the land and rural areas. This new scholarship will also assist the Department of Landscape Architecture with branding and outreach. It may attract and encourage students to pursue an education in landscape architecture, which they may otherwise not have access to. In honour of David J. Paterson, it will significantly aid in recruiting passionate students about being immersed in the outdoors, which has become extremely rare due to the digitalization of our lives.

Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the David J. Paterson Entrance Scholarship, candidates must meet the following criteria:

1. Enrollment as a full-time graduate student in the first year of the Master of Landscape Architecture program.
2. A minimum admission grade point average of 3.0 based on the last 60 credit hours (or equivalent) of study.
3. A demonstrated interest in rural landscapes, rural field studies, and/or the land, which must be articulated in a written statement of no more than 500 words.

To apply a written statement (maximum 500 words) outlining the applicant’s interest in rural landscapes, rural field studies and/or the land is required by January 31^st.