To read the full article, please visit Radio-Canada ici Manitoba.

“We are so excited to welcome Métis thinkers and creators from all over to our homeland for this incredible gathering,” says Lucy Delgado. “These thinkers come from a range of academic disciplines as well as those outside of academia who theorize and create knowledge in other spaces.”

Forsythe continues, “Our aim at Mawachihitotaak is to create space that lifts up Metis scholarship and provides the community with a sense of belonging, pride, healing, and empowerment.”

The gathering will include keynotes from Kokum Charlotte Nolin, speaking about her experiences as a Two-Spirit Elder and Knowledge Keeper, Janelle Delorme and Shirley Delorme Russell, speaking about Métis residential school experiences, and Sherry Farrell Racette, whose research merges archival and oral history research with material cultures.

Another keynote will feature two panels of speakers include faculty members and graduate students from several institutions speaking to the pervasive issue of Indigenous identity fraud.

While non-Métis people are welcome to come and learn from the speakers, Mawachihitotaak prioritizes Métis presenters, and those who submitted abstracts were required to also provide Community Connection Statements, outlining their relationships to and within the Métis Nation. Niney-seven presenters will share their knowledge and expertise with the community, and time to visit and spend time building knowledge has been built into the conference schedule.

In-person registration has closed, but a virtual registration option remains open until September 28. The virtual registration will allow review of authorized recorded videos from sessions on a private website for 30 days, allowing participants to see things they missed in other sessions or tune in if they had not been able to make it.

With support from fifteen different faculties and departments at the University of Manitoba, as well as the Office of the Vice President (Indigenous) and Office of the Vice President (Research and International), Mawachihitotaak is an example of how academic institutions can work towards Reconciliation through elevating the voices of Indigenous scholars and thinkers.

Gaudreau says after this ordeal, he no longer trusts AI. Prof. David Gerhard, head of computer science at the University of Manitoba, says that’s wise.

“You absolutely should not trust AI. It is a very powerful tool that makes mistakes,” Gerhard, who has studied artificial intelligence and social media, said in an interview.

To read this full article, please visit CBC Manitoba. 

Anderson, who researches AI, says the technology serves an important role in our society, but as its use grows, we also need to be better aware of how it can be used negatively.

“The worst of the bad actors are nation-states, and they are doing that to further their own interests,” said Anderson.

But as we continue to not only rely more on but also invest in AI, a problem that Canada is already facing might just be exacerbated­­­­­: a lack of skilled workers.

“We have a lot of talented students that graduated with high skills in AI,” said Vahab Khoshdel, an assistant professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Manitoba. “The issue is that, at least for now for Canada, is that usually U.S. companies pay more. Talented students are probably going to find a job in the U.S. Right now, most jobs in AI are remote, so they don’t have that kind of (immigration) condition anymore.”

For the full story, please visit CityNews Winnipeg.

Yinka’s talents on the track are undeniable, and he was recently invited to join the St John’s student membership by his sister, Enny Odeleye, who is also the Bison track team and SJCSA member.   

What made you join the St John’s student membership?    

“I found St John’s through word of mouth. When I heard about it and the benefits it had, I knew I had to take advantage and not leave this opportunity on the table.”   

 “I’ve found a place to belong to on campus and a place to go.”    

As a track athlete who is always on the go, Yinka has found St John’s to be critical in his academic success and meeting new friends.    

“I met an international student at Jumpstart when I first joined, and we started talking immediately and clicked. It shows that the community here is for everyone, and you can meet students from anywhere on campus.”    

What parts of the student membership have helped you the most in your studies?    

“The library has given me a place to study and be productive. It’s helped me succeed in midterms, tests, and finals preparation. I always have a spot and know I can get work done there.”    

 Whether it be a quick study session before practice or in the evening after practice, Yinka knows his best place to study is at St John’s. Aside from the library and study carrels, he’s also found the convenience of the discounts on food helpful during his study sessions at the Daily Bread Cafe and Soup4U.    

“The discounts on food I use a lot. The food is affordable, and it’s a homemade meal that makes you feel full afterwards. It’s convenient too because I can get my food from the Daily Bread Cafe, then go up to the library or my study carrel.”    

The first-year student is preparing for the USports Track and Field nationals in March and concludes his first year of studies, where he looks to continue his academic and track success.    

To learn more about the St John’s student membership, visit our website.