ICSWP students Deandra and Briana before the Jelly Roll concert

Two University of Manitoba students are getting a little extra help in achieving their educational goals, all thanks to Jelly Roll.

The popular country singer, best known for his songs “Son of a Sinner” and “Need A Favor,” performed a concert in Winnipeg Monday night. Deandra Courchene and Briana Knott were on the floor holding signs, asking him to help them pay their student loans. The pair is studying social work at the University of Manitoba.

A video posted by Courchene online shows Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, pausing the show and having the house lights turned on to address her and Knott.

“I’ll tell you what – you don’t got any student loans no more. I’m going to pay them off,” he said to cheers from the audience.

“I’m kind of still in disbelief on what happened,” said Courchene. “I woke up this morning and thought it was just a dream.”

To watch the entire story, please follow the link to CTV Winnipeg.

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Elder Mae Louise Campbell, Jamie Goulet, and Debra Diubaldo from the Clan Mother’s Healing Village led ceremony while staff, students, and community members from Mount Carmel Clinic shared stories of remembrance, violence, and the need for change.

“We have a responsibility in social work to advocate for policies and practices, both within the university and beyond, that allow two-spirit, trans and gender diverse folks to thrive,” says Dr. Christine Mayor (she/her), assistant professor, Faculty of Social Work.

Given the rise of anti-trans rhetoric and violence, this day is also a call to action for all cisgender people to work in solidarity to dismantle cisgenderism, colonialism, sexism, racism, poverty, and other systems of oppression that continue to disproportionately impact racialized trans, two-spirit, and gender diverse peoples. This work is needed both within and outside of the Faculty of Social Work.

Two-Spirit and Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual observance on November 20^th that honours the memory of transgender, two-spirit, and gender diverse people whose lives were lost due to anti-transgender violence. It was founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith to memorialize the murder of Rita Hester.

“The entire UM community has benefited from the commitment and leadership of each of the retirees,” says Dr. Catherine Cook, Vice-President (Indigenous). “Throughout their years of service, they have been mentors to Indigenous students and colleagues, created safe and inclusive spaces, and centred Indigenous knowledges, perspectives and experiences in their work. In doing so they have broken down barriers for future generations of Indigenous learners, educators and researchers. We wish them a wonderful, well-deserved retirement.”

UM Today asked each retiree to share important moments on campus, accomplishments they were most proud of and a reflection on the students that helped shape their careers. 

Audrey Richard

Audrey Richard, from Camperville, Man., and a member of Sandy Bay First Nation, will wrap up her role as a student advisor and counsellor with the Mahkwa omushki kiim: Pathway to Indigenous Nursing Education (PINE) program (previously Aboriginal Nursing Cohort Initiative) in the College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. Her work over the years also extended to the Aboriginal Focus Programs, Access Program and many community organizations. 

A stand-out moment:  
Over the years, there have been a number of stand-out moments for me. Everything from travelling to rural and northern Indigenous communities and working with the students there; to celebrating the opening of Migizii Agamik — Bald Eagle Lodge; working with Elders and Knowledge Keepers; and my nomination by the College of Nursing and receiving the Indigenous Award of Excellence: Community Builder (staff).  

 What you are most proud of:  
I am most proud that during my time at UM, I have witnessed more Indigenous presence on campus while making space for Indigenous research and curriculum. I have seen an increase in supports being provided to Indigenous students, as well as other efforts including anti-racism and equity. It has been my honour to be a part of efforts, which my colleagues and students will continue to carry on. 

A reflection on students:
In my work, I am grateful for the relationships built with many incredible and passionate students who I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with. Indigenous students from various backgrounds and life experiences, with many personal and academic responsibilities, applied hard work and resilience and were able to successfully navigate their post-secondary studies. They are now taking on leadership roles and making a difference in their families and communities.   

Dr. Wanda Wuttunee
Photo by David Lipnowski

Dr. Wanda Wuttunee, a member of Red Pheasant Cree Nation, will finish her role as professor in the department of Native studies. Wuttunee was previously the director of the Indigenous Business Education Partners (IBEP) (formerly ABEP) for 20 years. She has spent the last few years raising the profile of the Aboriginal Governance Program, which combines course work in business, Native studies, economics and political studies.  
 
A stand-out moment:  
After 27 years, there are so many. I was particularly happy when I was department head of Native Studies and director of Aboriginal Business Education Partners in the Asper School of Business and for all the great students, staff and colleagues I got to work with. Many wonderful memories! 
 

What you are most proud of:  
I am most proud that I got a chance to make a difference at an awesome university alongside so many caring people that go the extra distance just because that is what they do. 

A reflection on students:  
No matter what I asked my students to do with my challenging assignments, I was so proud of what they shared of their learning journey with me. Future Indigenous leaders, allies and accomplices crossed my path who moved on to create wondrous, impactful changes in our communities. Such a blessing! 

Dr. Yvonne Pompana
Photo by David Lipnowski

Dr. Yvonne Pompana, a member of Sioux Valley First Nation, will end her role as the director of the Inner City Social Work Program (ICSWP). Pompana has had a long career with the program, including time as an instructor, assistant professor and associate professor. In 2013, Pompana was a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award for her outstanding contributions to the social work community. 

A stand-out moment: 
Stand-out moments for me were when the Master of Social Work based in Indigenous Knowledges (MSW-IK) Program was approved by the UM Senate and Board of Governors and then funded by the province. The creation of the program was a personal and professional investment of myself and other Indigenous faculty, students and staff, or the Indigenous Caucus within the Faculty of Social Work. MSW-IK became a reality after we had already created the Indigenous Caucus and the Indigenous Helpers Society Inc. Of course, these firsts could only come into existence by each of us collaborating with each other: Indigenous faculty, students and staff and a few allies. 

What you are most proud of: 
What makes me most proud is that I have served as a role model and mentor for Indigenous, immigrant and refugee students, primarily from the ICSWP. Students and graduates across nearly three decades have witnessed my journey from a MSW student whose first employment opportunity was with the ICSWP in 1992 as a student counsellor. They saw me add to that role, as an academic advisor, instructor, assistant professor. They saw me complete my PhD followed with a promotion to associate professor and being granted tenure. The icing on the cake was when they witnessed my appointment to director of the ICSWP. To each student I say, “With hard work and good, supportive people around you, anything is possible!” 

A reflection on students: 
Becoming a university student — most often the first in one’s family — is both scary and exhilarating. Without students of the ICSWP, I would not have had the most rewarding experience of my life. While I taught many courses across the years, the course that stands out for me most is my 10 years of teaching Introduction to University to first year students. From seeing very scared first year students, and then four years later, watching them walk across the stage to receive their bachelor of social work degree, is the proudest moment of my life. The investment into the success of the students and the program have netted me 29 years of working with the best faculty, staff and students. I hope, like many other Indigenous faculty members, I have created a safe space for students to discover themselves, their passion, and to be empowered to make a better world for themselves and the people with whom they will live and work. 

More than 100 people, including nominators, friends and family, gathered to witness the honouring of this year’s recipients.

“It is extremely powerful when we come together as a community and hear about all of the important and often challenging work that Indigenous leaders are advancing across our campuses and in the community,” says Dr. Catherine Cook, Vice-President (Indigenous). “Their contributions are ensuring the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives, knowledges, research, partnerships and student supports today and for generations to come.”

The student categories include Community Builder, Outstanding Achievement and Trailblazer. Employee categories are Staff Community Builder and Faculty Trailblazer. Two individuals are honoured in each category. For the first time since the awards began four years ago, the student awards also came with co-curricular record recognition and a cash prize of $250 from Financial Aid and Awards.

We asked each recipient what their initial response was upon receiving the news of their well-deserved recognition. Click through the slideshow to read about their reactions. 

Newly appointed director of the Inner City Social Work Program, Faculty of Social Work

The Faculty of Social Work is very pleased to announce the appointment of Yvonne Pompana, associate professor, as the director of the Inner City Social Work Program (I.C.S.W.P.). Pompana has been serving as acting director at the I.C.S.W.P. since September of last year, and this appointment confirms her ongoing role as director.

Pompana holds a B.A. and M.S.W. from the University of Manitoba, and earned her Ph.D. in Indigenous Studies at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario. Her doctoral dissertation was on “Tracing the Evolution of First Nations Child Welfare in Manitoba.” Pompana has been a vital presence at the I.C.S.W.P. since 1992, first serving as a counsellor, and advancing through the ranks as instructor, assistant professor, and as associate professor since 2009. She has also served as acting director for the I.C.S.W.P. on a number of occasions.

Pompana has additional professional experience as a researcher with the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, and in youth services, corrections, and the Department of Northern Affairs. She has had a long-standing involvement with the board of the Makoonsag Intergenerational Children’s Centre and has served as a transitional board member for the Manitoba College of Social Workers. She is also a participant in the Indigenous Social Work Research Network. In 2013, Pompana was a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award.

Pompana’s many years of dedicated service at Inner City and her deep commitment to the program and our students equip her to be an excellent leader. The I.C.S.W.P. is poised to build on its legacy and map its future development as an integral component of the Faculty of Social Work.