At the annual Pitblado Scholars Program reception and Student Achievement Awards reception, the community within Robson Hall comes together to recognize excellence, share gratitude, and celebrate the bright futures of Manitoba’s next generation of lawyers.

Community members like Jim and Sandra Pitblado, Max Steinkopf, David Nemy [JD/24], and the family of the late Darius Maharaj Hunter [JD/21] have all joined us this fall to meet this students who benefit from their generosity.  At these warm receptions, held annually, they gathered with law students and their very proud families for an evening dedicated to the transformative impact of community support.

The Pitblado Scholarships: Recognizing excellence and rewarding resilience

On September 26, the annual Pitblado Scholars reception welcomed the 20 student recipients of the prestigious Pitblado Scholarships. For the past 24 years, the Pitblado Scholarships have been awarded to the top students on the Faculty of Law Dean’s Honour List.

Each year, Jim and Sandra Pitblado join the celebration, and this year their daughter Diane Pitblado also attended with her family.

Before any awards are given out or names are called, the scholarship winners receive boutonnieres that match the Pitblados’ own. These adornments help donors and students find each other in a room filled with families, faculty, and community members. Striking up conversations, the Pitblados take great interest in getting to know their scholarship recipients and encouraging their career goals.

“Repeats are encouraged,” Sandra exclaimed, encouraging Dean’s Honour Roll students to keep their marks up in order to earn a second scholarship and see the Pitblado’s again at next year’s reception.

Sandra and Jim Pitblado congratulate Dean’s Honour Roll student Cori Lee. Little ones always welcome!

The 2025 Student Achievement Awards: Honouring family and legacy

In November, 40 students received scholarships, prizes, and fellowships at the 2025 Student Achievement Awards.

Max Steinkopf (Bond Capital Partners London) personally presented the Max Steinkopf Entrance Scholarship and the Maitland Steinkopf [LLB/36] Entrance Scholarship, named for his late grandfather and father, respectively. The elder Max Steinkopf, called to the Manitoba Bar in 1905, was the first Jewish lawyer on the prairies.

David Nemy [JD/2024], a recent alum of UM Law and now a practicing lawyer at Levene Tadman Golub, proudly presented the Morton H. Nemy Entrance Scholarship on behalf of his family. Nemy shared that his 102-year-old aunt Enid Nemy, who created the  scholarship in honour of her brother and David’s grandfather Morton H. Nemy, was still “kickin’ it” in Florida.

Honouring the life of her late husband Darius Maharaj Hunter [BA/18, JD/21], Delyar Khaleh shared the legacy of this young UM Law alum and presented the Darius Maharaj Hunter Memorial Scholarship to Abigail Clark.

The award was established “to empower and support law students who have demonstrated a spirit for leadership and community engagement, and a desire to carry this forward in their education and practice,” a spirit that Darius Hunter embodied fully.

UM Law: Where community lives

This year, the Faculty of Law was honoured to welcome The Honourable Matthew Weibe, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Manitoba, as well as University of Manitoba representatives including President Michael Benarroch at the September event, and Vice-Provost (Academic) Diane Heibert-Murphy and Vice-Provost (Graduate Studies) Kelly Main, to these special gatherings. Representatives of the Law Society of Manitoba, the Manitoba Law Foundation, the Manitoba Bar Association, and many members of Manitoba’s legal profession attended to help celebrate the achievements of these law students.

As Manitoba’s leader in legal education for over a century, UM Law inspires and invites the legal community to come together each year to celebrate, connect, and give back.

The Faculty of Law congratulates the 2025 – 2026 Pitblado Scholarship Winners:

Ashley Allan
Yomna Eid
Larissa Einarson
Gianna Froese
Rowan Gannon
Meagan Gillis
Danica Grierson
Sameer Harris (repeat)
William Ho
Erin Kyriakopoulos
Cori Lee (repeat)
Alex Loewen
Kathryn Lyon
Dylan Nuytten
Mariana Pozdirca (repeat)
Vanessa Smith
Andrea Sutherland
Eric Vryenhoek
Eric Wagner
Mark Wilson

The Faculty of Law also congratulates the following award recipients:

Juris Doctor program awards:

Alex Brown Entrance Scholarship in Law:

• Roxanne Balmater

Max Steinkopf Entrance Scholarship:

• Caitlin McDonald
• Kiera Butterfield

Maitland Steinkopf Entrance Award:

• Nicholas Carnelley
• Tiana Klippenstein

Dean’s List Academic Award:

• Talia Taras
• Kaitlyn Clarke

Manitoba Law School Foundation Entrance Scholarship:

• Benjamin Baydock

Pitblado LLP Entrance Award:

• Joshua Ackman

Taylor McCaffrey LLP Entrance Award:

• Lindsy DeGagne
• Kya Jackson-Leclair
• Olivia Barbaro

Patricia N. and Mark G. Smerchanski Law Entrance Scholarship:

• Philopateer Rezk

D’Arcy & Deacon LLP Entrance Scholarship:

• Kate Mulligan
• Mateo Nallim

Morton H. Nemy Entrance Scholarship:

• Sarah Janzen

John Mitchell Scholarship:

• Trechelle Bunn (note – this is a 2^nd renewal of the award)

EJ McMurray Trust Fund Entrance Award:

• Talia Elfenbein
• Shakira Goulet
• Christopher Anderson

David Sowemimo Law Entrance Scholarship

• A’aia Haji Hussein

Darius Maharaj Hunter Memorial Scholarship (2024-2025 winner)

• Abigail Clarke

The Honourable John M. Scurfield Memorial Scholarship – 2024-2025 winners

• Katie McKenzie
• Chloe Dreilich-Girard
• Lori Isber

Brendan Mahatoo Scholarship – 2024-2025

• Brooklyn Kehler

Scotiabank Program for Law Students Scholarship

• Khalil Qasem

Master of Laws program awards

University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship

• Paarth Tarachandani

Bernard B. Dubienski and Amy E. Dubienski Memorial Scholarship

• Megan Filyk

Adalsteinn (Steini) Fridrikson Kristjansson Graduate Fellowship

• Christiana Williams

Right Honourable Brian Dickson Graduate Fellowship

• Megan Filyk

Samuel Freedman Graduate Fellowship

• Bailey Wall

David T. Sgayias Graduate Fellowship

• Paarth Taranchandani

Trevor Anderson Fellowship

• Megan Filyk

Master of Human Rights program awards

Harvey and Sandra Secter Master of Human Rights Fellowship:

• Sydney Reid
• Sarah Rohleder
• Lina Guevara
• Morgan Snape

University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship:

• Maddy Nowosad
• Marie-Chantal Plouffe

This was his third visit in as many years since the clinic’s completion, and this time he brought two business colleagues to show them how his support helped to create an unforgettable, hands-on learning environment that is transforming the student experience.

The story of how Dr. Kerry Vickar made possible a business law clinic at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law never loses its impact. On his first day of articling, Vickar was asked to draft a contract and realized he didn’t know the first thing about where to start. Law school at the time didn’t teach such things.

Vickar tells the story of how he discovered how little practical experience he had when fresh out of law school.

Years later, engaging with former Dean of Law and UM Chancellor Emeritus Harvey Secter’s office about his desire to give back to his alma mater, he focused on ensuring his donation would create something that truly serves others. Through their discussions, Vickar saw how he could use his early experiences and subsequent business success to create the very kind of clinical learning experience he once wished he’d had and help to ensure today’s students gain mentorship, real-world experience and confidence for the future.

This year, Vickar and colleagues Molly McGuire and Jeff Gifford heard an update on the clinic’s activities from Yvan Guy Larocque, Clinical Counsel, and Nick Slonosky, Instructor and Supervising Lawyer, followed by stories of personal experiences shared by six of the clinic’s students.

Larocque shares details about the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic’s accomplishment with Vickar and his business colleagues Jeff Gifford and Molly McGuire.

The visitors were impressed to hear the impact of the clinic’s work as well as the work of the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts, in which the students further help artists throughout Manitoba with legal matters including Contracts, Intellectual Property, Business structure, and other business-related issues that also affect regular business clients.

In his presentation, Larocque shared that because of Vickar’s vision, the clinic:

• Provided over 10,000 hours of pro bono legal advice and public legal education
• Engaged in over 700 files
• Provided real-life client opportunities to over 100 law students
• Was the only clinic in Western Canada to receive an ISED IP Clinic Grant (in both 2024 and 2025)
• Helped reimagine clinical education at Robson Hall
• Connected law students with practicing lawyers to gain unparalleled experience while still in law school

Following the presentation, law students Gilad Stitz, Paul Chorney, Jessie Canard, Tina Lerner, Vanessa Smith and Travis Dech each shared anecdotes of the experiences they were having, learning – already – to be fully professional business law practitioners, under the expert guidance and supervision of Larocque and Slonosky, two seasoned and award-winning lawyers.

Third-year law student Tina Lerner shares her clinical experiences with Vickar and colleagues.

While clinic staff and students were eager to thank Vickar for his vision, he was quick to redirect the praise. He commended the Faculty of Law’s leadership – Dr. Richard Jochelson, along with Slonosky and Larocque – for turning that vision into a meaningful and lasting reality.

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.

UM is at the centre of inspiring the best and brightest to improve the well-being of our province, country and world. But all of this cannot be done without the support of our community. From people giving for the first time to lifelong supporters, every act of generosity strengthens UM’s ability to fuel bold ideas and shape a better world.

Philanthropy is helping students pursue bold ideas

When students come to the University of Manitoba, they receive more than an education. They become a part of new ideas that better our world. A student’s potential is unleashed when they feel supported and can benefit from unique learning experiences and spaces.

At UM this year, $40 million in scholarships and $14 million in bursaries opened doors for students across every discipline. Behind every number is a story of ambition, resilience, and potential. From agriculture and food sciences students contributing to healthy communities to business students gaining international experience to graduate researchers tackling global challenges, philanthropy ensures that financial barriers never stand in the way of bold ideas.

Philanthropy is advancing research that changes lives

As Manitoba’s only research-intensive university, UM has built a strong foundation of innovative facilities, world-class experts and a reputation for research excellence. Philanthropy is attracting top-level graduate students and community partnerships.

Innovation at UM is fueled by philanthropy. Donors have helped fund UM’s 32 active research chairs driving made-in-Manitoba solutions that are changing lives here and around the world. They also create unique ways for our university to delve into the questions of today and help ensure a brighter tomorrow from the Winograd Initiative for the Study of Contemporary Hate Speech and Antisemitism to improving workplace ethics to advancing treatments for diseases like multiple sclerosis.

Philanthropy is supporting truth and reconciliation

​As the proud home of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) for 10 years, UM continues to walk alongside Survivors and Indigenous communities on the path toward healing and education. This year, the province and the business community gave over $22 million to help the NCTR get closer to building their new home. The new space will continue to honour Survivors, protect their truths, and welcome people from across Canada. Significant support also came from the Mastercard Foundation with a $25 million gift that will strengthen the Centre’s ability to reach young people across Canada with reconciliation-focused education.

The Mastercard Foundation also gave $5 million help UM expand access to post-secondary education and support our growing community of 3,248 Indigenous students. This continued support is helping Indigenous students strengthen their identities, find meaningful careers, and become leaders in Manitoba and beyond.​

Philanthropy is enriching communities

When campus borders no longer define the limits of post-secondary education, the opportunities are endless. UM has a long history of prioritizing experiential learning like the dental clinic at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry that offers oral healthcare and advocacy to Manitobans in need or the community learning hubs that train specialists in and for Manitoba’s remote and northern areas.

With a transformative $5.4 million gift from Drs. Wayne [BSc(ME)/80, LLD/23] and Eleanor Chiu, UM will launch The Chiu Centre for Business Serving Community, a new hub for research and dialogue that will explore how business can be a force for positive societal impact. The Centre and initiatives like this at UM help create a skilled workforce, successful startups and solution-focused innovation, which injected $7.3 billion into Manitoba’s economy last year.

Philanthropy is Bisons supporting Bisons

For 150 years members of our herd – faculty, staff, retirees and alumni – have been at the centre of philanthropy at UM. Last year, faculty, staff and retirees gave $1.7 million to support UM students.

UM’s 25,896 alumni donors also provide tremendous support. UM alumni come together to fund bursaries in celebration of the milestone anniversary of their graduation, while others gather funds to remember classmates who have passed.

Philanthropy is paying it forward

Since Alexander Kennedy Isbister’s first planned gift over 140 years ago, many have followed in his footsteps. Today, over 700 members of the Isbister Legacy Society continue that legacy, ensuring UM’s mission endures for generations to come.

Philanthropy is the foundation of UM’s community

“What inspires me most about philanthropy at the University of Manitoba is that it truly comes from everywhere—alumni, faculty, staff, community partners, and friends from around the world,” says Michael Benarroch, UM President and Vice-Chancellor. “Together, we’ve created a remarkable culture where supporting bold ideas and the next generation is a part of who we are. Thank you to everyone who supports our herd and for making the University of Manitoba a place defined by possibility and hope.”

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What does a future fuelled by generosity look like? It’s in the faces of new graduates with big ideas, in bold research solutions for Manitoba and the world, and in community initiatives coming to life in collaborative ways. Here, a legacy of philanthropy is shaping the leaders, innovators and change-makers of tomorrow. Learn how you can get involved.

The newly launched Winograd Initiative for the Study of Contemporary Hate Speech & Antisemitism will greatly enhance the work being done on UM campuses to promote peace and justice. Funded by alumni, Chuck and Libby Winograd, this initiative will integrate rigorous research, academic engagement, and community collaboration, to address hate speech and antisemitism.

The Initiative is driven by legal scholar Kenneth Grad who will delve into this context and implications of hateful acts, and how our laws play a critical role in curbing this growing problem. This innovative project comes at a crucial time.

Hate speech and antisemitism rates continue to rise: hate crime against Jewish people increased 71 per cent in 2022-23 and nationally, police saw a 32 per cent increase in hate crime across Canada in 2022—the third sharpest increase in four years, according to Statistics Canada. And in 2024, B’nai Brith Canada found 6,219 incidents of hate, the highest since 1982, when counting began. Similar trends are reported in the United States as well.

With this backdrop, Chuck and Libby Winograd felt compelled to make an impact and so partnered with UM’s Faculty of Law to create and launch a bold idea that will push against this tide.

“Libby and I are pleased to support this initiative at a time when thoughtful and rigorous research on hate speech and antisemitism is so urgently needed,” said Chuck Winograd. “By making this gift, Libby and I hope that this Initiative will make a positive contribution to legal understanding and public awareness in Canada and beyond.”

Assistant Professor Kenneth Grad is the inaugural scholar to start work under the Winograd Initiative.

The Winograd Initiative is funded by a $500,000 philanthropic gift to support Dr. Grad’s research into the legal, historical, and societal dimensions of antisemitism and hate speech. His work will explore both the symbolic and practical enforcement of hate speech laws, the role of online platforms in spreading hate, and the Canadian Jewish community’s historic and ongoing advocacy against antisemitism. The Initiative will also support graduate and Juris Doctor student researchers, public education events, and collaborations with national and international scholars.

“We are honoured by the Winograd’s remarkable generosity and their deep commitment to justice and education, and it also exciting to see our scholars being supported,” said Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law. “The Winograd Initiative will lead scholarship and education at the intersection of law, antisemitism, and human rights. This will help to greatly further research in the field and expand opportunities for students to study and learn in the field.”

“I am humbled and privileged to be named the designated jurist of the Winograd Initiative,” said Dr. Kenneth Grad. “Thanks to the generous support of Chuck and Libby Winograd, I can continue advancing sustained, interdisciplinary research on the troubling rise of hate speech—an issue that has deeply affected all minority groups, and especially the Jewish community. The Initiative also offers a meaningful opportunity to mentor students and contribute to critical conversations about the role of law in combating hatred and upholding human rights.”

 In addition to producing original research on hate speech and antisemitism, Dr. Grad will lead other activities supported by the Initiative. Notably, he is currently planning the First Annual Winograd Symposium on Law and the Jewish Experience, which will bring together student researchers from across Canada to share ideas and receive feedback from faculty advisors. The inaugural Symposium is planned for early May 2026 at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg.

“This Symposium is the first of its kind and offers a much-needed platform for emerging voices in the field of law and the Jewish experience,” said Dr. Grad. “By encouraging, celebrating, and advancing this work, we hope to cultivate the next generation of leaders dedicated to honouring Jewish life and combating antisemitism.”

Dr. Grad is Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law, having joined the Faculty in 2024. His research and teaching focuses on criminal law, evidence, legal history, and human rights. He holds a B.A. (Toronto), M.A. (Queen’s), J.D./Ph.D. (Osgoode), and LL.M. (Harvard). Dr. Grad received many awards for his doctoral research, which studied the efficacy of the criminal sanction and other regulatory measures as tools for combating hate speech. His scholarly writing has been published in numerous academic journals, including the Osgoode Hall Law Journal, Manitoba Law Journal, Canadian Journal of Law and Technology, Criminal Law Quarterly, Canadian Jewish Studies, and FIU Law Review. Dr. Grad is also a contributing author to the casebook Antisemitism and the Law (Robert Katz, ed.; Carolina Press, 2025).

What does a future fueled by generosity look like? It’s in the faces of new graduates with big ideas, in bold research solutions for Manitoba and the world, and in community initiatives coming to life in collaborative ways. Here, a legacy of philanthropy is shaping the leaders, innovators and change-makers of tomorrow. Learn how you can get involved.

“I started taking piano lessons very young, then began studying the violin and the cello and then I became interested in chamber music,” says Greer. “By the time I finished high school me and a classmate had even written a musical version of Hamlet. It was just sort of obvious when I graduated that I would go into music.” 

When he arrived at the University of Manitoba, those sparks found structure. As a collaborative piano major, he found the technical and creative grounding that launched him into a life in music: vocal coaching, conducting, arranging, composing and performing.  

“All of those disciplines were sparked while I was a student at UM, and I treasure the friendships formed there that I’ve maintained to this day,” he says. “I credit my education at the University of Manitoba for preparing me so well not only for my graduate studies at the University of Southern California but also for my career in music, which turned out to be the perfect fit for me.” 

Now in his 70s, Greer is starting to think about giving back. He says it wasn’t until about a year ago that he realized he did not have an up to date will. As he began thinking about how to shape his legacy, he considered where his estate could make the most meaningful difference. He decided to channel his legacy toward the studies and disciplines that had given him purpose.  

“To encourage creative musicians is maybe the best thing that I could possibly do,” he says. “I hope that one day my gift might fund an education for a young, talented composer who has all the musical skills but who can’t afford it on their own. My gift may also serve to attract top students from across the the country or even the continent and perhaps raise the profile of the department as well.” 

Today Greer describes himself as semi-retired. He still teaches graduate singers at the Glen Gould Professional School, composes and arranges, and spends summers teaching abroad. His planned gift is an extension of a life-long belief in music’s power to transform: an education he once received, now a future he helps make possible for others. 

“Setting this framework was about more than finances,” he says. “It was about ensuring the priorities that matter to me endure, and that the next generation of creative musicians have a chance to begin where I began.” 

What does a future fueled by generosity look like? It’s in the faces of new graduates with big ideas, in bold research solutions for Manitoba and the world, and in community initiatives coming to life in collaborative ways. Here, a legacy of philanthropy is shaping the leaders, innovators and change-makers of tomorrow. Learn how you can get involved.

“The NCTR is a place where we as Manitobans can gather to honour Survivors and keep moving forward on the path of Reconciliation,” said Premier Wab Kinew. “As Orange Shirt Day approaches, this new permanent home will be a lasting commitment – the stories of Survivors will always be respected, their truths will not be forgotten – so the true lesson that every child matters will be transmitted to the future.” 

The announcement was held on the grounds where the new facility will be built. The new Centre will serve as a home for sacred artifacts and historical records including oral testimonies from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada that documented the history and ongoing impact of the residential school system on Indigenous children, their families and communities. 

“We are grateful to the Manitoba government for this extraordinary commitment to our new home,” said Stephanie Scott, Executive Director of the NCTR. “With this support, we will be able to build a space that honours Survivors, protects their truths, and welcomes people from across Canada to learn and walk the path of Reconciliation. This is a gift that will strengthen both our community here in Manitoba and the national movement toward truth and justice.” 

The vision for the new Centre is that it will be an international learning lodge open to the public. It will feature exhibits, indoor and outdoor ceremonial spaces and other functional spaces. It will offer a place to deliver educational programming, conduct ongoing research and share dialogue on the implementation of the Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. 

The new Centre will be a place where family members can visit for healing and to reconnect with lost histories and loved ones. It will be a place where children, families, and people from all walks of life can embark on their own journey of Reconciliation based on understanding and appreciating the true history of residential schools.  

“We’re so thankful to have a partner like the NCTR guiding us forward, helping us to learn and understand our true history and continue forward in a path of Reconciliation,” said Michael Benarroch, UM president and vice-chancellor. “Our university is honoured to have the trust and responsibility to help build this home for the NCTR, to reflect the vision of Survivors and help it fulfill the mission and mandate.” 

Established in 2015, the NCTR has operated out of a temporary location at the University of Manitoba’s Fort Garry campus. The premier noted this investment will help to bring the vision of a permanent home to life. The project has also received support through the Government of Canada, The Winnipeg Foundation, Canada Life and Power Corporation of Canada, and many others. The land for the future site was gifted by the University of Manitoba, which will continue to provide in-kind support. 

Donate to the new building or learn more more about supporting the NCTR.

“With this landmark funding, the University of Manitoba is committed to continued collaboration with Indigenous partners, acting boldly to support Indigenous learners to thrive and to amplify Indigenous leadership,” says University of Manitoba President and Vice-Chancellor Michael Benarroch. “This builds on our longstanding partnership with the EleV Program, which has been instrumental in our efforts to transform the experience and opportunities of Indigenous students at our university today and for all who follow.” 

Since 2021, UM has partnered with the Mastercard Foundation’s EleV Program, which has supported the creation and development of initiatives that are rooted in Indigenous values and knowledge systems, strengthening pathways to post-secondary education, connecting youth to culture, and redefining what leadership means across disciplines, communities and generations.  

This new $5 million gift will enable us to expand our reach, accelerate change in service of Indigenous youth and deepen partnerships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. This gift comes at a time when Indigenous student enrolment at UM has increased by 10.7 per cent, rising from 2,933 students in Fall Term 2024 to 3,248 in Fall Term 2025. 

“The University of Manitoba, with a growing Indigenous student body, holds reconciliation at the very heart of its work. Its comprehensive, deeply embedded approach reflects decades of work by Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Holders, students, faculty and staff. We made a commitment to young Indigenous people that we would walk alongside them to transform post-secondary education in ways that support them to live a good life. This exemplary organization is contributing to that change and to a stronger country for us all,” Jennifer Brennan, Senior Director, Canada Programs at the Mastercard Foundation. 

An investment in our collective future 

Lauren Hallett, a recent Bachelor of Health Studies graduate and now a master’s student in Community Health Sciences at UM, speaks to the benefits of investing in Indigenous youth. Hallett credits the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment (ICE) leadership program and Two-Spirits Talking (2ST) program with shaping her confidence, leadership skills and sense of belonging on campus. She says the biggest benefit of the programs was being able to learn from different Indigenous voices and find other people like her on campus, as it made her feel so much less isolated and alone as a student. 

“I would describe ICE as a big family,” says Hallett. “It gave me the confidence to be my authentic self and empowered me to step into leadership roles. It also helped show me how much my community has invested in me, and it really instilled that value of reciprocity.”  

2ST, is a space for Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer students to gather, share, celebrate each other and heal together in ways that respect and affirm their identities. “It’s important to me because Indigenous and queer joy is sacred and resistance. In this sometimes grim social, political, and environmental climate, we need places like 2ST that uplift us and nourish our spirits,” says Hallett. 

Mastercard Foundation and UM: A growing partnership 

Since partnering with the Foundation, UM has focused efforts on increasing access to post-secondary education in the places Indigenous students call home, made possible through the development of community learning hubs.  

Other pillars of the partnership include strengthening post-secondary collaboration, enhancing support for transition to university life, connecting to culture, and building pathways to employment and entrepreneurship. Examples of initiatives supported through the Mastercard Foundation include: 

• Where We First Stand Transition Camp for first-year Indigenous students relocating to Winnipeg. 

• Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program, a culturally based, community-focused physical activity program for youth, with Indigenous teachings and worldviews at the forefront. 

• Land and Water Program, an Indigenous land-based education program that brings together Indigenous students and youth, community members, knowledge carriers, and elders to participate in immersive urban land-based experiences.

• Bison Spirit Indigenous Leadership Program provides a supportive, culturally enriching, and identity affirming space where Indigenous students can explore and develop their leadership potential while excelling academically. 

• Post-Secondary Club supports Indigenous youth in Grades 9–12 across Winnipeg high schools and creates a supportive environment where students can strengthen their confidence, explore career and academic pathways, and prepare for post-secondary education. 

Transforming the future 

A decade after the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Final Report and Calls to Action, it is an important time to reflect on progress and renew our commitment to the work ahead. The Mastercard Foundation recognizes this moment as a vital opportunity to transform education so that Indigenous young people can achieve their full potential. In alignment with this, the Foundation has also made a $25 million gift to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) which will enhance the Centre’s ability to reach young people across Canada with reconciliation-focused education. 

“You can’t have reconciliation or decolonization without action, and programs like ICE are proof of the impact that happens when communities are supported,” says Hallett. “Indigenous leaders will change the world.” 

UM is deeply grateful to the Mastercard Foundation for its trust and partnership. Together, we are strengthening, stabilizing, and scaling this work so that the voices, talents, and leadership of Indigenous students like Hallett can continue to transform our communities and our country for generations to come. 

“On behalf of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Mastercard for this generous gift. This contribution is more than financial support, it is a powerful recognition of Survivors, their truths, and the children who never returned home from residential schools,” said Stephanie Scott, Executive Director of the NCTR. “With this partnership, we will be able to showcase the voices and strength of Survivors on an international scale, ensuring the world bears witness to their statements and oral histories. Reconciliation is not a single act, but a shared journey. With Mastercard walking alongside us, we move closer to a future rooted in truth, justice, and hope.” 

Supporting the Calls to Action 

Marking a decade of work under the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Final Report and Calls to Action, this funding supports the exceptional contributions of organizations across Canada that are elevating Indigenous youth leadership and transforming post-secondary education with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. 

The gift to the NCTR will strengthen the Centre’s capacity to advance reconciliation for all Canadians through the education of children and youth. As the permanent home of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s records and sacred items, the Centre plays a vital role in honouring Survivors’ truths and ensuring they guide present and future generations to learn, reflect, and take action.  

The NCTR is inspiring young people to become builders of a more just and equitable future. Nearly one million students engage annually in Truth and Reconciliation Week through national education programs, resources, virtual events, and teaching materials. Creative leadership is sparked through Imagine a Canada, a program that empowers youth to envision a reconciled future. With this new support, those programs will reach even further, igniting young voices and leadership across the country. 

“The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is engaged, day in and day out, in the vital work of protecting and preserving the truth of the residential school experience for Survivors, their families, and to enable all those living in Canada to act with knowledge for a more just and equitable future. We made a commitment to young Indigenous people that we would walk alongside them to transform post-secondary education in ways that support them to live a good life. This exemplary organization is contributing to that change and to a stronger country for us all,” Jennifer Brennan, Senior Director, Canada Programs at the Mastercard Foundation. 

The tenth anniversary of the TRC is a vital time for all Canadians to reflect on progress made and recommit to the urgent work ahead. In alignment with this, the Mastercard Foundation has also gifted $5 million to the University of Manitoba. This funding will enable UM to expand their reach, accelerate change in service of Indigenous youth and deepen partnerships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.

Together for truth and reconciliation 

With the support of generous donors, including the Mastercard Foundation, the NCTR ensures the truths of Survivors are safeguarded, honoured, and carried forward by young people who will lead us into a future of equity and understanding. 

At its heart, this partnership reflects a shared vision: creating a better future by learning from the truths of the past. The Mastercard Foundation has long been dedicated to building stronger, more equitable communities, and this funding demonstrates a deep commitment to equip the next generation with the tools they need to imagine, and to build, a reconciled Canada. The NCTR is honoured to walk this journey with the Mastercard Foundation and deeply thankful for their trust, confidence, and vision for a brighter future.

Launched on May 12, 2025, this CRTC proceeding aims to improve how individuals and public interest groups can participate in its decision-making processes. The CRTC, an independent body regulating Canada’s communications sector, seeks to ensure a diversity of voices in its work. The current rules for public interest funding have not been reviewed in over a decade, prompting the CRTC to reevaluate how it supports participation — especially from underrepresented groups.

The submission by Emily Trottier [BA/23] and Donald Plant [BA/23], both JD Candidates 2027 who have been employed over the summer at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law Clinics, emphasized in detail the importance of enhancing inclusivity and accessibility in CRTC processes, and strongly support funding revisions which promote public participation in CRTC proceedings.  The Clinics provide free legal services to small businesses, start-ups, including family businesses, non-profits, charities, as well as artists, arts, cultural and community organizations and others who lack access to legal representation across Manitoba.

The Clinic students strongly believe in the importance of diverse perspectives and inclusivity, especially when various communities are impacted by CRTC proceedings.

“Ensuring that diverse voices are heard and that everyone can share their perspectives on issues that affect them is essential to building a CRTC that truly serves all Canadians,” said Trottier.

Plant added, “We are thankful for the opportunity to provide comments and recommendations that may reduce participation barriers and allow for a more inclusive process for all Canadians.”

Beyond offering direct legal support, both students saw the opportunity to contribute to long-term policy change as vital. Central to their recommendations is the creation of a unified, independent funding system to simplify how individuals and organizations can apply for financial support to participate in CRTC proceedings. Currently, the existence of separate funding processes for broadcasting and telecommunications proceedings complicates access and discourages participation, particularly among individuals, and underrepresented and equity-deserving communities.

The Clinics propose a consolidated single funding process that removes administrative complexity and fosters equitable participation across all proceedings, would create fewer barriers to participation. The Clinics further argue that funding eligibility should be broad, encompassing individuals and organizations including Indigenous communities, racialized groups, persons with disabilities, official language minority communities (OLMCs), legal clinics, grassroots organizations and others, so all may have an opportunity to participate and have their views heard. They stress that participation must go beyond formal written submissions. Funding should also cover and support outreach, consultation, translation, accessibility services, and other necessary and meaningful engagement activities.

Complementary procedural reforms are also recommended, such as:

• Public and regional hearings
• Hybrid engagement models (online and in-persons)
• Pre-hearing consultations

These steps are seen as essential for building trust and ensuring input from rural, Northern, and Indigenous communities and OLMCs. The Clinics emphasize the need for dedicated funding streams and culturally appropriate consultationpractices, including the availability of Indigenous and other non-official languages during proceedings, or broader translation services, if necessary, in official proceedings recognizing the English and French are not the only first languages of many Canadians.

The submission stresses the importance of inclusive practices that remove barriers to participation, specifically financial as well as other supports needed, reflecting a wider push for greater equity in regulatory processes. With their experience serving underserved populations, the law students are deeply committed to ensuring all Canadians can have a say in decisions affecting their lives.

By adopting these recommendations, the CRTC could position itself as a leader in regulatory inclusiveness, shaping a more accessible and representative communications landscape in Canada. These Clinic students view this consultation as a critical opportunity to develop a more accessible and representative communications landscape in Canada.

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The CRTC Call for Comments invited all interested persons to participate in this proceeding. The deadline for public comments is September 9, 2025, with replies due by October 9, 2025. Only those who submit initial comments may file replies.

The Clinics look forward to reviewing the submissions of others and to the outcome of this important proceeding.

The full submission by the Clinics is available and may be read online.