He danced before an audience gathered on June 20 in the Brodie Centre atrium to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. The event was hosted by Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing in the Rady Faculty.

Cleveland, whose traditional name is White Cloud, shared the stage with the Sons of the Drum group and dancers who performed different styles of dance, including Jingle Dress and the Woodland Strap Dress, also known as the Grandmother Dress. Cleveland said these dance styles are ancient.

“A lot of these dances are so old that there’s no date that we can recall exactly when they started, but we can tell the story of how they started,” he said.

Cleveland explained that the Prairie Chicken Dance came to a young man in a dream after he shot a sage grouse to feed his family.

“The bird told him, ‘In exchange for my life, I’m going to show you this dance and I’m going to show you the songs that go with this dance, and when you wake up, you’re going to bring it back to your people. You’re going to show them what I’ve shown you,’” Cleveland said.

The event was emceed by Debra Beach Ducharme, whose spirit name is Earth Woman, and who is the director of Indigenous health integration at Ongomiizwin – Education. She told the audience that Indigenous people come from deep roots.

“Roots that connect us to the land, to our languages and to the songs of our ancestors. From these roots we rise. Our resilience is powerful,” she said.

George Muswaggon, Knowledge Keeper with Ongomiizwin, addressed the audience and said that the Indigenous culture shared that day is just a glimpse into it.

“There’s much more to it than just that. There’s much preparation that happens. Take a look at the regalia. If you can only imagine the amount of hours it takes to prepare those. Think about that for a second,” Muswaggon said.

George Muswaggon speaks in Mashkiki Gittgaan – Medicine Garden.

The morning began with the lighting of a Sacred Fire and a Pipe Ceremony in Mashkiki Gittgaan – Medicine Garden. The space was filled with members of the Rady Faculty community.

“Taking time for ceremonies is a powerful way to ground ourselves as Indigenous people and it also teaches people about the validity of our way of life,” Beach Ducharme said.

Following the event in Brodie Centre, the audience enjoyed a feast catered by Shelly’s Indigenous Bistro. Vendors were also set up to sell their hand-made products.

He talks about the importance of Indigenous-focused programs, the changes he’s seen at the university, and how efforts to support Indigenous students continue to grow. Rasmussen also shares what the day means to him and why he helped start an Indigenous birding club on campus.

To listen to the entire conversation, please follow the link to CBC Manitoba.

The round dance participants included Rady Faculty of Health Sciences faculty, staff and learners and was part of a celebration organized by Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing.

The day’s events began with the lighting of a Sacred Fire in Mashkiki Gitigann – Medicine Garden and was followed by a pipe ceremony. Approximately 50 people gathered in the Medicine Garden to learn about the ceremony led by Ongomiizwin Elders.

Elder Margaret Lavallee speaks to the audience gathered in Mashkiki Gitigann – Medicine Garden.

Elder Margaret Lavallee said they wanted to bring the Rady Faculty community together to help understand each other’s cultures.

“It’s exciting. I really appreciate the people that are interested in this sacred ground right here,” Lavallee said. “I think it’s important we have that so that we can share our teachings as time goes on.”

Later that morning, Debra Beach Ducharme, director of Indigenous health integration at Ongomiizwin – Education, opened the portion of the celebration that took place in Brodie Centre atrium.

“This day is special, and it is important to honour and recognize First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and their contributions to learning, research, programming and everything that goes on at the University of Manitoba and all over Turtle Island,” Beach Ducharme said.

Melanie MacKinnon, executive director of Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, introduced George Muswaggon, Ongomiizwin’s new and first full-time Knowledge Keeper.

“I’m really, really grateful for you – that you trust us to honour us with your work, with your expertise, with your gifts,” MacKinnon said.

The round dance participants included Rady Faculty of Health Sciences faculty, staff and learners.

Muswaggon told the audience that when someone takes part in a ceremony or when they do the round dance there are no absolutes.

“I got asked this question the other day, ‘What if you do this wrong?’” Muswaggon said. “Well, the only time it’s wrong is if you do it purposefully – not the way you’re supposed to – otherwise, when you participate, there is no wrong way to participate. You enrich that experience, and you enrich your experience.”

Elder Charlotte Nolin introduced a recording of the Métis National Anthem. Following the anthem, she told the audience to enjoy the day and each other’s company.

“Enjoy the love that is here and know that you are one race – the human race,” Nolin said.

Before the round dance began, Darryl Buck, a drummer and singer, spoke about the round dance and said that it brings Indigenous people together in a good way.

“This is a time where we can come and make new friends, and strengthen the relationships that we already have,” Buck said.

As part of the celebration, an honouring ceremony took place and Nolin was presented with a wall hanging.

Following the round dance, participants enjoyed a feast catered by Shelly’s Indigenous Bistro. Vendors were also set up to sell their hand-made products.

National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration at Bannatyne Campus – June 21

Location: Sacred Fire and Pipe Ceremony – at Mashkiki Gitigaan – Medicine Garden

• Sacred Fire – 8:30 a.m. (near 745 Bannatyne Ave.)
• Pipe Ceremony – 9:30 a.m. (rain location Buhler Centre atrium, 715 McDermot Ave.)

Opening Prayer and Remarks

• Brodie Centre Atrium – 11:15 a.m. (727 McDermot Ave.)

Celebration and Entertainment

• Brodie Centre Atrium – 11:45 a.m. (727 McDermot Ave.)

Feast at Brodie Centre Atrium

• 12:30 p.m. (727 McDermot Ave.)

Craft and Vendors

• Brodie Centre Atrium 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (727 McDermot Ave)

Honouring Our Indigenous Campus Community

The Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous) is also marking Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 20, 2024 by hosting a recognition ceremony, formerly known as the Indigenous Awards of Excellence, to honour Indigenous members of the University community.

There is work being done all year by Indigenous students, staff and faculty to make the University a better place, and the Honouring Our Indigenous Campus Community recognition ceremony shines a light on some of that work. Six students, two staff, one faculty and one former employee will be honoured. 

Investing in student success

Asper alum Nicole MacIntosh [BComm(Hons)/23] recounts the people, centres and services that gave her the tools she needed to succeed. Her story reveals how investing in student success involves resources, workshops, tutoring, funding opportunities and the like. But often the first step is creating communities where students know that there are other people who see their potential and their struggles and truly care about their success.

Read more here about MacIntosh’s journey to graduation, how she navigated an ADHD diagnosis and the supports at Asper and beyond that empowered her to succeed.

MBA alum leads with bravery, vulnerability and truth

Named CEO of Treaty One Development Corporation this May, Kathleen BlueSky [MBA/15] has always been driven by a desire to uplift Indigenous people and create more sustainable, just systems in her community.

She shares how business and entrepreneurship have been impactful in both her career and identity journey. “As a First Nations woman, working with my community has always been my drive. It has been my goal, focus and vision to empower self-determination at every level. Business is the best place to do that, to reinforce a solid foundation of independence, self-worth, and spirit.

“Entrepreneurship is about believing in yourself, believing in your value, 100%,” she said.

Read more here about how BlueSky creates the groundwork for change, facilitates the creation of more just systems and effective leaders, challenges beliefs carried across generations and makes space for a new narrative of worthiness, reclamation and collective energy.

Building Métis community through inclusion and identity

For Asper student Matthew Carriere, inclusivity recognizes that every individual—every generation—has wisdom to offer.

Whether he is heeding advice from his grandparents (encouraging him to go with his gut and pursue business) or engaging with the next generation of Indigenous business and Métis leaders, Carriere works to create spaces that value experience at every level—what he refers to as a “ladder of wisdom.”

“Everyone has their own story,” he explains. “Everyone is a visionary. Share your life experience and what you’ve seen of the world and seek that out in others. That exchange, that’s your leverage.”

Read more here about how Carriere is working to support Métis youth communities and what’s next in his Asper journey.

—

This National Indigenous Peoples Day, IBEP and the Asper School of Business are proud to share these stories. With nearly 200 alumni and approaching 30 years of serving First Nations, Inuit and Métis students at the Asper School of Business, IBEP has far more stories than can be captured in this short compilation. 

Learn more about how you can support student success—through mentoring, lunch-and-learns and career exploration—at the Asper School of Business by connecting with IBEP here.

Along with faculty, staff and students from the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Elders and youths gathered to enjoy Indigenous food, music and dance.

Debra Beach Ducharme, director of Indigenous health integration at Ongomiizwin – Education, told the audience that the Indigenous community tries to make sure all ages are represented in their ceremonies and celebrations.

“I’m so happy that the young people are here, the Elders are here and everyone in between,” said Ducharme, who co-hosted the event with Vanessa Lillie, director of cultural integration (Indigenous) in UM’s Office of the Vice President (Indigenous).

Melanie MacKinnon, head of Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, told the crowd that it’s important for Indigenous people to bring their gifts and talents into mainstream institutions and organizations, and by including Indigenous culture, they are changing mainstream culture.

One example MacKinnon mentioned is the way older adults are treated. She said that mainstream culture looks at older people as elderly, not as Elders.

“That is a significant difference between cultures, and I think as Indigenous people we have so much to offer this world and we are offering our gifts and talents in different ways, and we will continue to do that,” MacKinnon said.  

As part of the celebration organized by Ongomiizwin, an Honouring Ceremony took place for six University of Manitoba Elders and Knowledge Keepers.

(Left to right) Elder Charlotte Nolin, Elder Margaret Lavallee, Elder Norman Meade, Elder Carl Stone, Knowledge Keeper Kimberly Guimond, and Knowledge Keeper Leslie Spillett look at the prints of an artwork they received as a gift. Dr. Marcia Anderson, vice-dean Indigenous health, social justice and anti-racism for the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, is at the lectern.

Knowledge Keeper Kimberly Guimond, Elder Margaret Lavallee, Elder Norman Meade, Elder Charlotte Nolin, Knowledge Keeper Leslie Spillett and Elder Carl Stone were presented with a print of an artwork, and Dr. Mandy Buss and Dr. Lisa Monkman sang an Honour Song for them.

“It’s really a small gift compared to the gift we received from them,” said Dr. Marcia Anderson, vice-dean Indigenous health, social justice and anti-racism for the Rady Faculty.

As an example of the wisdom and guidance the Elders share, Anderson recounted a story about Lavallee’s teaching on how laughter is medicine.

“It’s really helpful when we think what is sacred that we don’t confuse it just for what is solemn but follow the lead and the teachings of our Elders, who no matter what is going on, bring all forms of medicine to it, including the laughter,” Anderson said. 

The Honouring Ceremony was followed by a bison chili and bannock lunch catered by Feast Café Bistro.

The Niji Makhwa School Little Singers perform in the Brodie atrium on National Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Entertainment was provided by youths from the Niji Makhwa School Little Singers, Kinew Youth Dancers, Kinew Youth Fiddlers and a group of Inuit throat singers.

The day’s events began with the lighting of a Sacred Fire in Mashkiki Gitigann – Medicine Garden, and was followed by a pipe ceremony.

“Today is to celebrate our Indigenous day, our Indigenous people in Manitoba, as well as Canada – and the rest of Canada is doing the same thing,” said Lavallee, following the pipe ceremony. “This is a beginning for us to be able to introduce and teach the rest of the University of Manitoba the significance and the importance of Indigenous people of this land.”

In Brodie Centre, Indigenous vendors were set up to sell their hand-made artworks. Dana Tutcho-Ruben, who works in UM’s financial services department, was one of the vendors. She said that beading connects her with her culture.

“I never grew up in my community, so I didn’t have a lot of the cultural aspects growing up,” Tutcho-Ruben said. “Beading is a way for me to feel reconnected and I fell in love with it.”

At the Asper School of Business, First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, alumni and colleagues are leaders in pursuing economic reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples, as entrepreneurs, educators, accountants, analysts and more.

Asper celebrates the contributions these outstanding graduates have made to the collective health of their communities, while also recognizing their individual journeys toward securing sustainable futures and growing as lifelong learners.

Today, we are proud, grateful and honoured to share their stories.

Carter Wilson [BComm(Hons)/18] – Building bridges and financial capacity with Indigenous communities

Like many young professionals, Carter Wilson knows that making connections is useful. As a manager of ease, Indigenous Services at MNP, however, Wilson understands that to build bridges between communities, creating trust is vital.

Wilson, a CPA and Asper Bachelor of Commerce and Indigenous Business Education Partners (IBEP) alum, advanced from a summer student to his current position at MNP. He and his team work with Indigenous communities, businesses, and organizations to promote financial capacity building.

Read more about Wilson’s work with MNP and his goal to recruit more Indigenous CPAs.

Cassie Phaneuf [BComm(Hons)/22] – Experiential learning key to career success for actuarial BComm grad

By pursuing the Bachelor of Commerce option of an actuarial mathematics major, Phaneuf benefited from the breadth and depth of her business education, cultivating her own unique point of view and setting herself up on a successful career path.

A career, as Phaneuf discovered, can be a place where what you learn can become what you give back. As an analyst with a broad business background and a keen understanding of the value in unique personal perspectives, her continued career success seems a reliable prediction.

Read more about how Phaneuf benefitted from hands-on learning, tailored career support and community-building through IBEP.

Kathleen BlueSky [MBA/15] – Indigenous women empowering each other through traditional birth support

Kathleen BlueSky’s [MBA/15] role as co-founder and board chair of Wiijii’idiwag Ikwewag began during her time in the Asper MBA program, in a confluence of hard truths and tenderness.

Wiijii’idiwag Ikwewag (which means Women Helping Each Other) provides birthing support that promotes traditional Indigenous childbirth and parenting teachings. As co-founder, BlueSky is making a difference not by creating new traditions but by empowering and reclaiming those that have always been with her.

Read more about BlueSky’s entrepreneurial journey, how she created a successful venture without government funding and how she became a leader in the Asper MBA program.

Jim Thunder [MBA/17] – Reconciliation through education

As Director of Economic Development in Norway House Cree Nation, an adjunct professor specializing in Indigenous economic leadership in the department of Indigenous studies at UM, and the founder and board chair of Reconciliation Thunder, Jim Thunder’s life and work are dedicated to decolonization and education.

Education, he says, creates more opportunities for individuals, much like the MBA has for him, but more importantly, it allows First Nations to support self-governance and employ community members for large economic projects in development.

Read more about Thunder’s MBA journey of learning and self-discovery and how he is making colonial history common knowledge with Reconciliation Thunder.

Deidre Dewar [BComm(Hons)/23] – Asper BComm grad celebrates convocation, a time to reflect and embrace possibility\

Deidre Dewar joined the Bachelor of Commerce program at the Asper School of Business as a mature student and a mother. This spring, she joined the Asper Class of 2023 at convocation.

Dewar reflects on her achievement, what it meant as a dream and how it is opening doors for her now.

“I wanted to pursue self-determination to secure a better quality of life for myself and my family—to be a role model for my kids and show them that persistence and dedication can help you achieve your goals.”

Read more about Dewar’s path to convocation and how she is embracing the many possibilities of what comes next.

__

In each story, these alumni reflect on the impact of Indigenous Business Education Partners (IBEP) at the Asper School of Business. Since 1994, IBEP has offered a welcoming community as well as tutoring, mentoring, scholarships, networking and career services to First Nations, Métis and Inuit students pursuing their BComm or MBA degree at Asper.

IBEP prepares to celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2024, and the Asper community is fortunate to learn from, engage with and highlight the work they do every day to support Indigenous students and alumni.

This National Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate IBEP and the alumni making an impact and inspiring Indigenous leaders of tomorrow.

As Dean of the Asper School of Business, I would like to share my experience learning about the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and engaging with current and future perspectives.

Bruno Silvestre, Dean of the Asper School of Business

I grew up and worked in Brazil before moving to Vancouver, Canada in 2008. I knew nothing about Indigenous Peoples in Canada when I arrived, and it wasn’t until I moved to Winnipeg in 2011 that I really became aware of gaps in my knowledge.

I started asking questions and engaging with the local community. I asked people around me who had grown up in the province, and I researched histories—often shocked by what I learned.

The learning process took time and continues today, but I have witnessed educational institutions begin to engage with more honest accounts of Canada’s history, more empathetic receptions to reconciliation— and most importantly, more Indigenous leaders fighting for and securing visibility and making change.

Today, I have more connections to Indigenous perspectives through the Asper School of Business and the University of Manitoba. I am honoured to have many Indigenous colleagues willing to share their knowledge and experiences with me. I’m grateful for my exchanges with Business and Indigenous Reconciliation Executive-in-Residence, Mary Jane Maillet Brownscombe, former IBEP Director and current PhD student Peter Pomart, Instructor of Indigenous Business Katherine Davis, the current IBEP team—Zach Unrau, Riley Proulx and Meaghan McNeill—as well as other leaders and educators at UM like Dr. Cary Miller, Associate Vice-President (Indigenous), Scholarship, Research and Curriculum.

These colleagues and friends help me every day to fulfill my responsibilities as Dean of the Asper School of Business: I aim to create space for members of our community to implement ideas and make improvements, and I am dedicated to listening to, learning from and elevating perspectives from Indigenous colleagues and partners. I hope to advance change that far outlasts my tenure here by supporting these individuals within the institution.

These friends and colleagues are my teachers. As a parent, I also learn every day from my own family. My kids come home from school, excited to teach me more about topics like Orange Shirt Day or Truth and Reconciliation.

When they ask if I know about a part of Indigenous history in Canada, I admit what I don’t know, and I express how I want to learn more—they are always happy to share.

As a parent, I strive to create a space where my family can talk about these things—about anything—with responsibility but free of judgment.

This National Indigenous Peoples Day, I am looking forward to being outside, celebrating with my family and learning alongside them.

I encourage you all to take time and reflect on your relationship to this day and the heritage and cultures it honours while also finding the best way to celebrate with the people you love.

Consider joining National Indigenous Peoples Day festivities here at UM. There will be celebrations held on campus on June 21.

The more we acknowledge that Indigenous perspectives are a part of the fabric of our lives in Canada, from work to home, the more we can move forward as allies, teachers, learners and friends.

I wish you all a safe and celebratory National Indigenous Peoples Day!

A proud citizen of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation on Treaty 8 territory, Mihskakwan James Harper [BSc(ME)/17] is passionate about creating a world that future generations can enjoy.

While studying engineering at the University of Manitoba, Harper served on the student council for the Engineering Access Program (ENGAP), which supports Indigenous engineering students, and built an energy-efficient car that competed in the International Shell Eco-marathon Americas.

Since graduating, Harper has shared his knowledge about clean energy at international conferences, including the United Nations Climate Conferences COP 26 and COP 27. He credits his innate drive to protect the earth to his cultural values.

Harper further honours his Indigenous identity by giving back. He has lectured on decolonizing engineering, mentored Indigenous youth relocating to Winnipeg for education, and presented a national policy resolution addressing the Indigenous youth suicide crisis.

Read more about Mihskakwan James Harper and his story here.

Looking for more stories about exceptional Indigenous community members? Meet Two-Spirit Métis Elder Charlotte Nolin, and learn about the Indigenous women empowering each other through traditional birth support.

National Indigenous Peoples Day – June 21

Location: Sacred Fire and Pipe Ceremony – at Mashkiki Gitigaan – Medicine Garden (Rain location Buhler Atrium) Bannatyne Campus

• Sacred Fire – 8:30 a.m.
• Pipe Ceremony – 9:30 a.m.

Feast and Celebration in Brodie Atrium – 11:15 a.m.

• Opening Remarks
• Honouring Ceremony to our Elders and Knowledge Keepers
• Performances and Feast

Performers:

• Inuit youth throat singers
• Niji Makhwa school little singers
• Kinew Youth Dancers
• Kinew Youth Fiddlers

Indigenous Vendors will be located on 2nd floor Brodie 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

“I encourage everyone to take part in events on June 21 because all of us benefit from actively listening to Indigenous voices, and celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples across Turtle Island. And let’s use this day to reaffirm our commitment to learning the truth and walking the path towards reconciliation,” Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor at UM says. “This university and province owes an immense amount of gratitude to the Elders, Knowledge Keepers, students, staff, faculty and alum who are patiently teaching, guiding and leading meaningful change so that we can incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing, doing and being into everything we do.”

The Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous) is also marking Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day by hosting a recognition ceremony, formerly known as the Indigenous Awards of Excellence, to honour Indigenous members of the University community.

“National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day are an opportunity to celebrate the rich history, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. But there is work being done all year by Indigenous students, staff and faculty to make the University a better place, and in June we shine a light on some of that work with the Honouring Our Indigenous Campus Community recognition ceremony.” Catherine Cook, Vice-President (Indigenous) says. “I am struck and inspired by the dedication, innovation and strength I see around me each and every day.” 

This year, Indigenous graduates were once again celebrated at the Annual Traditional Graduation Pow Wow, Indigenous artists were engaged to update the Chancellor’s and President’s convocation regalia, the Libraries unveiled Indigenous artwork in Elizabeth Dafoe Library, and much more. The University is grateful to the Indigenous Elders, students, staff and faculty who are leading the way in UM’s reconciliation journey and advancing Indigenous achievement and engagement on its campuses.