Here’s what to expect: 

Doors open at 12:00 p.m.

• Enter through Gates 1, 2 or 3 at Princess Auto Stadium
• Free parking in U lot off Chancellor Matheson Rd.
• New Bisons apparel, along with the Mondetta x UM collaboration, will be available at the Merch Pop-up on the concourse!

Bisons Homecoming Football Game 

• Kickoff at 2:00 p.m. at Princess Auto Stadium 
• Cheer on the Manitoba Bisons vs. Alberta Golden Bears! Be part of the excitement and celebrate the NEW Bisons logo! 
• Enjoy music from Morgan Grace at halftime!

Kid’s zone  

• Billy the Bison’s B-day Party
  • 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on the concourse near the Gate 3 entrance
  • Join UM’s beloved mascot, Billy the Bison, and mascot friends from around the city! Kids can enjoy carnival games, face painting, and loot bags. Arrive early and get a free cupcake!

Community and alumni engagement 

• Alumni Lounge  
  • 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Pinnacle Club 
  • Reconnect with fellow alumni and faculty over bar service and live music.

• Speaker Series powered by the Free Press  
  • Join us in the Pinnacle Club for these exciting speakers!  
    • 12:15 – 1:00 p.m. – Southwood Circle
    • Greg Rogers, President and Chief Executive Officer, UM Properties, will lead a presentation about the future of the Southwood Circle development. 
    • 1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Homegrown Drones with UM Knowledge Exchange
    • Join Annemieke Farenhorst (AVP Research) and Andrew Bowman (UM STARlab) and discover the drones and satellites built and used in Manitoba research on land, in the sky and in orbit. Get an up-close look at the ArcticSat, nanosatellite, research rovers and high-tech attachments like thermal cameras and radars which will all be on display.  
    • Halftime (approximately 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.) – Mondetta x UM
      Hear from UM alumni and Mondetta co-founders, Prashant and Ash Modha, as they discuss building a global brand from Winnipeg, rooted in sustainability and ethical production. Learn more about how Mondetta went from its iconic flag designs and retro flair, to its newest luxury boutique and partnerships with the Jets and now UM!

• Campus Tours and Scavenger Hunt  
  • Hourly from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
  • Register ahead of time to secure your spot for a guided campus tour or scavenger hunt.
  • Meet outside Gate 1 at Princess Auto Stadium for campus tours and the scavenger hunt. 

Educational and interactive activities on the concourse 

• Visit the following UM faculties and programs for engaging activities: 
  • UM School of Art: Craft table for creative fun 

• • Desautels Faculty of Music: Try a new instrument and make some noise! 

• • UM Heart Garden: Fill out orange hearts in support of the Heart Garden at UM 

• • UM Extended Education: Enjoy a game of cornhole 

• • UM Libraries/Archives: Discover historical photos and insights into UM’s history 

• • Price Faculty of Engineering: See drones and robots from UMUAS (Drone Team) and UMRT (Robotics Team) in action 

• • Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources: Pick up fun stickers 

• • IDEA START: Play a fast-paced board game themed around innovation, showcasing UM’s Innovation Hubs and I-VIC community outreach 

• • St. John’s College: Enjoy games for all ages, alumni nostalgia activities, and the chance to win SJC gear! 

• • UM Student Recruitment: Apply before December 1 for a chance to win a $5,000 tuition prize 

• Visit the faculties and programs on the concourse to learn more about: 
  • UM Faculty of Social Work 

• • Asper School of Business 

• • UM College of Nursing 

• • Faculty of Arts 

• • Indigenous Engagement & Communications 

• • Indigenous Student Centre 

• • Indigenous Leadership Programming 

• • Indigenous Birding Club 

• • Indigenous Student Recruitment 

Support our campus community 

• Bring a Tin for the Bin! 
  UMSU and the UM Food Bank are partnering for a food drive at the Bisons Block Party. We’ll be collecting food donations to support students in need and raise awareness about food insecurity on campus. Learn more about the most needed items. 

“This is what being a Bison is all about,” says President and Vice-Chancellor Michael Benarroch. “Homecoming gives us the chance to come together, celebrate our community and show what makes the University of Manitoba so special.”   

Tickets for the Bisons Block Party are free and available through Ticketmaster. For groups of 10 or more, please register here. 

To explore the full schedule of events and register, visit the Homecoming page. 

See you there! 

In its first year, the Social Justice Hub is supporting three groups of student organizers in developing campaigns that build community and address challenges faced by the QTBIPOC community (queer and trans Black, Indigenous, People of Colour), anti-xenophobia, and accessibility/disability community.

At the Social Justice Hub Open House on December 10, UM community created artwork for the theme, “A different world is possible,” which invited students and staff to portray the just world they hope to work towards.

Through the Social Justice Hub, students gain knowledge on how to put anti-oppression and EDIA into action and develop skills through training workshops and hands-on campaigns. Organizer teams are exploring how they can create safer spaces for QTBIPOC, challenge xenophobia and racism experienced by international students, and advocate for a sensory-friendly campus for neurodivergent students.

Having the chance to address inequities that directly affect students and their communities is one of the most impactful parts of the Social Justice Hub, and plays an important role in the development of future leaders and change-makers.

Elinam Okae-Yeboah, a fourth-year student in Women and Gender Studies and English, reflected on the impact of participating in the QTBIPOC team: “The university has many commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusion, but it seems like the administration falls short when it comes to making material change or decisions that will support marginalized students. I think the Social Justice Hub is important because it provides marginalized students with the training that can help them advocate for themselves.”

The wider UM community is invited to participate in the Social Justice Hub by attending our upcoming events. Join us for the Social Justice Hub Drop-Ins on the last Thursday of each month from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. to engage in critical conversations on community organizing and social justice work. Register in advance or drop-in.

Upcoming Social Justice Hub Drop-Ins:

• February 27, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Self-care is community care, community care is self-care (CEL Office 203 – 55 Chancellors Circle)
• March 27, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Group agreements, safer spaces, and relational accountability (CEL Office 203 – 55 Chancellors Circle)
• April 24, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – The revolution will be from bed (virtual) 

To receive notifications about other Social Justice Hub events, sign-up for our mailing list and follow @CELumanitoba on Instagram to learn about more upcoming workshops, programs and events from Community Engaged Learning.

“We really want to grow the sport of squash in Manitoba and make Manitoba a centre for squash excellence,” said Peter Reimer, President of Squash Manitoba. 

The new squash courts will serve as a hub for students, faculty, and the wider community, offering a space for players of all levels to participate, train, and compete. 

Why UM?

Squash Manitoba has identified UM as the ideal location for this project due to its strategic positioning and large, diverse community. There are currently no squash courts in the southern part of Winnipeg, and UM’s accessibility makes it a prime location for new squash facilities that the entire community can enjoy.

UM is home to over 30,500 students and 9,400 faculty and staff, providing an untapped potential for growing the sport. Moreover, the location —right next to the Active Living Centre on campus — offers easy access to public transportation and is situated near a large population of new Canadians, many of whom have an interest in the sport.

This project is largely supported by Michael Nesbitt, who has close ties to both UM and Squash Manitoba. Nesbitt, an avid supporter, notes, “Squash is a very popular sport. The fact that there will be an internationally sized court at UM, with its diverse population, will be a game changer. It has the potential to totally change squash in our province.” Supporting this project means expanding access to a sport that promotes both health and community.

“Beyond the financial aspect, he has really worked hard to make this happen. And never once did he think we can’t do it. It was always, ‘Let’s find a way. Let’s do this.’” said Lynn Colliou, Executive Director, Squash Manitoba.

With this support in hand, Squash Manitoba in partnership with UM, has committed to raising the remaining $550,000 to fund the development of the new courts.

The vision: a world-class facility in south Winnipeg 

The upgraded squash centre at UM will feature four international-standard courts with glass backs, offering a modern, open feel that encourages participation and spectator engagement. The renovation will transform the current outdated North American courts, which are in poor condition and underutilized, into a state-of-the-art facility capable of hosting tournaments, leagues, and training programs.

Key features of the new facility will include:

• Four international squash courts designed to the highest standards;

• Glass-back walls for improved spectator viewing and coaching opportunities;

• A spacious and open design with improved lighting and flooring; and

• A dedicated viewing area for tournaments and events.

When designing the new squash facility, every detail was carefully considered to meet the high standards of competition-level play. As Simon Wang, Director of the Facilities and Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation, explains, “As the facility will be used for competition, much of the design of the courts themselves (flooring, glass, walls, lighting) is dictated by World Squash Federation guidelines. We were allowed to have a little more fun with the entry and lounge areas – the wood ceiling was chosen for its warmth and acoustical properties, while the rubber flooring was chosen because it is non-porous and easy to keep clean. We took inspiration from squash ‘line markings’ for the flooring’s pattern. The selected furniture adds warmth and sophistication, and can be easily re-configured for competitions or everyday use.” 

These new courts will provide endless possibilities for programming, from beginner lessons and university leagues to provincial team training and national competitions. This facility will not only serve the university but will be a major asset for the entire squash community in Manitoba.

Inclusive programs for all levels 

The new squash courts at UM will cater to a wide range of programs, ensuring that there is something for everyone. Squash Manitoba is committed to making the sport accessible to all, with programs that focus on inclusivity and diversity. Some of the tentative offerings include:

• Junior Programs: Junior team practices, try-outs, and summer camps.

• Beginner Lessons: Free group lessons for university students and staff, as well as introductory programs for children and new Canadians.

• Leagues and Tournaments: Mixed leagues, women’s leagues, university leagues, and tournaments for all skill levels.

• Specialty Programs: Indigenous squash, wheelchair squash, and LGBTQ2S+ squash programs.

• Coaching and Development: Private lessons, high-performance training, and programs for aspiring coaches.

With over 1,800 hours of programming scheduled annually, the new squash centre will become a vibrant hub of activity, fostering the growth of the sport and creating opportunities for players at all levels to improve their skills.

A brighter future for squash in Manitoba 

Squash is more than just a sport; it’s a way of life. It promotes physical health, mental resilience, and a sense of community. The new squash courts at UM will inspire the next generation of players, offering them an accessible world-class facility to hone their skills and compete. “These courts will help us achieve our mission to grow and promote the game of squash in Manitoba. We are lucky to have a pretty good membership base for a small sport, and a passionate group,” said Reimer. “That will grow this sport in Canada and add players to us in the future, so we’re very excited about that.”

The projected completion for the court upgrades is August 2025, introducing a vibrant, state-of-the-art hub where the energy of the community and campus unite. This inclusive space is designed to inspire connection, foster competition, and create memorable experiences for all who walk through its doors. Dr. Doug Brown, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, shares, “The renovation represents the type of beautiful collaboration that amateur sport needs to thrive. We are grateful to our partners Mike Nesbitt and Squash Manitoba for their passion and willingness to invest in this sport and the University of Manitoba.” For more information about the squash courts upgrade, please visit  Squash Manitoba or visit UM’s Squash Court Renovations donor page.

Johnny Ouero is no exception to that.

A motivated person who makes a difference in our community, Johnny notes his love for community around the people he interacts with.

“Working here doesn’t feel like work. It’s a place where I’ve built many friendships and learned many skills I apply daily.”

The Daily Bread Cafe staff member has worked around St John’s College food service for nearly thirteen years, enjoying every minute. With his outgoing personality and caring attitude, Johnny is one of many food service staff members who connect with UM students and staff daily, ensuring the food they receive is a delicious part of their day.

To learn more about the Daily Bread Cafe and events, visit our website.

On June 20, ten student, staff and faculty honourees were recognized for their exceptional contributions at the 2024 Honouring our Indigenous Campus Community recognition ceremony.

Formerly the Indigenous Awards of Excellence, this event strives to reflect the diverse gifts of the Indigenous community at UM. This is the eighth year of recognizing honourees in a blanketing ceremony.

Meet the 2024 Honouring our Indigenous Campus Community recipients: 

Student Honourees  
Brad Albert, Faculty of Science
Elora Cromarty, Faculty of Arts
Monica Cyr, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Charlene Hallett, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Lauren Hallett, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Kiana Tait, Max Rady College of Medicine

Staff Honourees 
Elder Charlotte Nolin, Ongomiizwin Institute of Health & Healing
Marla Robson, College of Nursing

Faculty Honouree
Dr. Lisa Monkman

Legacy Honouree
Ken Paupanekis

New this year, the Legacy category honours former, or in the case of this year, outgoing, self-declared Indigenous UM faculty or staff who have made a positive impact on the campus community.

Vice-President (Indigenous) Angie Bruce welcomed honourees, friends, family members and colleagues with opening remarks and shared these words: “We cannot impact change on our own. Doing this work – creating space for Indigenous people, uplifting Indigenous voices; and integrating Indigenous ways of knowing and being into the fabric of the University of Manitoba – requires a community. And today, we honour that community. We hold events like this to recognize the staff, students and faculty that are leading the conversations, advocating for policy and structural change and inspiring others to continue this important work.”

The 10 honourees were presented with Star Blankets, by Kookum Leslie Spillett and Isca Spillett. Being wrapped in a Star Blanket is an honouring experience and a showing of gratitude from the community. 

Congratulations and miigwech to the 2024 honourees!

During our recent conversation, Raihanah (currently a fourth-year psychology student) spoke of finding a home in the residence community both as she’s worked towards her academic degree and during her three years as a Don. As she’s found her voice and become part of the community, she’s experienced the residence as a place where she could try new things and build life-long friendships. 

“The college residence has allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and build leadership and community skills. I was nervous yet excited about what it offered when I walked into the college. From the benefits students receive at the residence, like the delicious Daily Bread Café food, accessibility to events and academic help, it’s an accessible accommodation for all students.” 

Living at St John’s college residence offers students more than just a place to live. Students are welcomed into the community through events, connections with staff, and the following benefits that come with your stay:   

• Weekly meal plan from the Daily Bread Café, including snacks on Sunday night and during exam periods 
• Affordable laundry services   
• Student council opportunities to build professional development   
• Access to monthly events planned by the student residence council   
• Access to St John’s college services, including St John’s library, Daily Bread Café, lockers, college classrooms, and Chapel and Chaplaincy services.   
• Dedicated lounge 
• Housekeeping services include cleaning, vacuuming, dusting, and garbage removal.   

Whether you’re an international or domestic student, everyone is welcome to St John’s college residence. In hosting students from all over the world, we are a diverse community that looks to bring people together to build community.   

For residence rates and information, click here to visit our website.   

To submit your application and join our residence, click here to apply!   

For more information about our residence, contact Matthew Bowman, Dean of Residence.   

We are excited to share MOMENTUM: Leading Change Together, University of Manitoba Draft Strategic Plan, 2024-2029. Informed by our community consultations, this draft plan is accompanied by an updated mission, vision, and core values, which has directed the Strategic Planning Committee in its work.

Before the Committee moves forward with presenting a final plan to Senate and the Board of Governors for approval, we invite you to read and share your thoughts and comments on this important document. This plan will guide our shared work over the next five years. We want to ensure that it resonates and that the diversity of voices and perspectives that strengthen our UM community are reflected in our plans to achieve our collective aspirations.

The draft plan is now available on the UM Strategic Plan Website and an online form is available to provide your thoughts. The form will be available until 4:00 on Wednesday December 13, 2023, and will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. The Committee will be presented with your feedback to inform the final plan.

Thank you for the time and energy you have given to help us reach this important milestone. We want to continue to hear from you and look forward to receiving your feedback.

Miigwech. Thank you.

Michael Benarroch,
President and Vice-Chancellor

Diane Hiebert-Murphy,
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

We express our immense grief and sadness for the evolving crisis. The growing loss of life, including many civilians, is tragic and alarming. We join the international community in condemning terrorist violence and the kidnapping of civilians and call for a de-escalation of the violence and a peaceful resolution to the conflict through dialogue.

The university is actively working to check on and support students and employees who may be affected.

We encourage anyone who needs to talk or seek support to reach out to our counseling services, which are available to all students and staff.

The safety and well-being of our campus community are of utmost importance. The university has implemented a comprehensive safety and security plan to help ensure everyone feels and is safe on our campuses. If you are concerned for your safety or have reason to be concerned for the safety of others, please contact Security Services.

As in any conflict, members of our community will hold strong views and we urge our community to engage in respectful dialogue.

We continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates and resources as needed. We ask everyone to take care of yourselves and one another during these trying times.

Along with his literary publications, Jaeger is also involved with the interdisciplinary use of language within a visual arts setting, and he has performed and/or exhibited his work at various internationally prominent galleries and art festivals, including the Venice Biennale of Art, the Whitechapel Gallery in London, the Istanbul Biennale of Art, and the MACBA Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona. 

From Europe, specifically England, to Ontario and various places in between, Peter is excited to bring his knowledge to the Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture as he begins his role as the Writer in Residence.   

With his extensive writing experience, Peter will bring this value to students through workshops, talks about his research, and sharing his experiences with students of all faculties until December.  

Join us in welcoming Peter next Thursday, September 21, at 10 a.m. in room 108 in St John’s College as he discusses “Creative Recycling for Writers.”  

Following Peter’s welcome next week, he will also be hosting six free writing workshops that will help students foster writing skills and better themselves for their careers in the future.  

In the first workshop, Peter will focus on mindfulness and writing.  

If you want to learn more about the Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture, click here!   

If you’d like to learn more about Peter, find more here.   

On Thursday, May 4, Indigenous Engagement and Communications and the Centre for Human Rights Research are holding An Event in Honour of Red Dress Day: Seminar and Red Dress Pin Workshop.

Kayla Lariviere, Engagement Lead for Indigenous Engagement and Communications and one of the event organizers, says it’s meaningful for UM to host this event and demonstrate its support for MMIWG2S+.

“With a growing Indigenous community on campus, there are members who have been personally impacted by this,” says Lariviere. “And as Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people continue to go missing and murdered in our communities, we’re reminded of the ongoing racism, mistreatment and marginalization that continues in Canada.”

Gerri-Lee Pangman will lead the red dress pin workshop at Thursday’s event. A member of Peguis First Nation, Pangman has tragically lost two family members to violence.

“My personal connection to this day began when I was six,” says Pangman. “My Aunty Jennifer Johnston was murdered in 1980 in front of me and my sister while we were sleeping in our home. In 2013, my sister Jennifer McPherson was murdered in B.C.”

Pangman says she turned to art and ceremony to help her cope with the loss in her family and continues working to raise awareness on the issue.

“This is a day to pay respect to these beautiful souls that walked this earth and were tragically taken and stolen from us. They deserved to live their lives just like everyone else. All the time that was lost with them, we will forever think of the what ifs we could have shared with them. And the love that they gave us, we will miss forever,” says Pangman.

Guests who attend the event can expect to be welcomed into an inclusive and safe space for a half day filled with learning, engaging and understanding.

The event will begin with a seminar from community builder Sandra DeLaronde, who has made it her life’s work to end violence and support families of missing and murdered women, girls and 2-Spirited persons. Following lunch from local Indigenous business Brownees Urban Bistro, guests can gather in community for the red dress pin workshop led by Pangman. This event is open to all students, staff and faculty at the University, and is intended as a way to honour and connect while opening a dialogue on UM campuses.

Lariviere hopes to welcome a diverse group to the event, with people in various stages of learning and understanding of MMIWG2S+.

“For those who are not as familiar with the on-going crisis, I hope this will provide them with new knowledge and leave them encouraged to further their learning,” she says. “For those with a deeper understanding and even personal connections to MMIWG2S+, I hope they leave with some new insights from our speaker and that they feel supported knowing there are folks in our campus community who care about MMIWG2S+ and that we can all work together on moving forward.”

For more details about the event, visit the Indigenous Events Calendar. Registration is required.

In addition to the on-campus event on May 4, the UM community is encouraged to attend other events happening across the country on May 5 like the Red Dress Round Dance at Portage and Main (12:00 p.m.), followed by the Memorial March to The Forks.

For Support: 

• Toll free 24/7 support line, 1-844-413-6649, in English, Anishnaabemowin (Ojibway), Cree, Inuktitut and French. 
• Indian Residential Schools Help Line, 1-866-925-4419. Available 24/7 for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience.  

To Learn: 

• National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, two volumes, 2019: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/ and 

• 2SLGGBTQQIA+ Sub-Working Group, MMIWG2SGBTQQIA+ National Action Plan Final Report, 2021: https://mmiwg2splus.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NAP_Report_EN.pdf  
• A Human Rights Crisis at Home: MMIWG2S+ by Dr. Adele Perry, CHRR: https://chrr.info/blog/a-human-rights-crisis-at-home-mmiwg2s/