“I think it’s because she’s done the kind of heavy lifting that it takes to build relationships,” he said. 

“And so I think for a lot of Indigenous people, they may still claim her regardless of any other evidence that comes to light.”

Read here

Watch here

Niigaan Sinclair, a professor of Native Studies at the University of Manitoba, says nothing can really move forward without the green light from the Manitoba government.

“The province, this is their purview, this is their jurisdiction, and the province frankly has to step up and if they don’t, you get a minister that is benevolent, not sure, and not able to move forward because frankly the federal government, especially in a minority parliament, especially with a government that is facing criticism in Indigenous issues, they are probably not going to come up with $184 million,” said Sinclair.

Read/Watch here

Karen Froman, Faculty of Graduate Studies (Arts)

Karen Froman began her undergraduate degree at 27 years old as a single mother of two young children—a four-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son. She was dedicated to balancing her responsibilities to her family with pursuing her dreams.

While she did not have a clear idea of what her career would look like, taking a course that introduced her to Native studies in her first year was the catalyst to it all. Froman, who is Kanyen’keha (Mohawk) from Six Nations of the Grand River territory, went on to specialize in Native studies for both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Her path as a UM student ends with the completion of her PhD in history with an Indigenous focus.

Froman has secured a tenure-track position in the University of Winnipeg’s department of history as an assistant professor. “As an Indigenous scholar, I want to empower other Indigenous students the same way that I was empowered by my professors at UM,” says Froman.

Her family, especially her dad, is one of her greatest sources of strength and inspiration in this field. Her dad was a residential school Survivor, and Froman wanted him to be proud of his identity and culture. She looks forward to carrying this responsibility of influencing the next generation of Indigenous scholars.

Sidhant Sharma, Asper School of Business

After completing high school in Accra, Ghana, Sidhant Sharma moved to Canada for his university education. He intended to follow a career in computer science, but he soon felt a natural drive toward business. He confidently made the move into the Asper School of Business to focus on Finance and Management Information Systems.

Sharma speaks passionately about his education: “Being able to introduce new technologies, identifying gaps and inefficiencies within processes and helping improve them requires creativity as well as logical thinking. I thoroughly enjoy mixing both of those skills.”

From volunteering to mentorship programs, Sharma has embraced every opportunity to gain experiences that fueled his zeal and curiosity. This also helped him settle down in Winnipeg and truly enjoy his new life in this city. He received the Emerging Leader Award in 2019, which recognized his contributions to UM and the community on and off campus. It also served as a reminder to continue developing not only as a student but also as someone who has the power and abilities to make an impact on the community.

After graduating with a bachelor of commerce, Sharma will be starting in a new position as a business analyst at Bison Transport. He is excited to work with a company that puts an emphasis on technology, and to lead the charge in this evolving field.

Ashley Daniels, Faculty of Arts

Graduating with a bachelor of arts in Native studies with a minor in family social science, Ashley Daniels’s experiences throughout her undergraduate program have set her up for success.

She engaged in multiple volunteering positions such as the communications coordinator of the University of Manitoba Indigenous Students’ Association as well as a student mentor for the Neechiwaken Indigenous Peer Mentorship Program. She also volunteered in Ecuador with UM’s Community Engaged Learning program and served as the first female Youth Chief in the Southern Chiefs’ Organization for three years.

As a member of Swan Lake First Nation with ties to Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, she is most fascinated by Indigenous-focused research, especially in data sovereignty and language revitalization within the discipline. Focusing on an area of study with expansive implications on scientific knowledge and research moving forward, Daniels has a crucial role in reframing the world’s views.

Her family is dedicated to keeping their Indigenous roots alive, which makes her education resonate with her on a personal level. “I enjoy spending time with the community, the land and maintaining kinship relationships,” says Daniels. “I am inspired by my family and how they continue to show up every day for the future generations of our kin.”

Daniels is currently serving as an elected executive council member and the Manitoba representative on the Assembly of First Nations National Youth Council.

Corrine Clyne, Faculty of Graduate Studies (Occupational Therapy)

After earning her bachelor of arts at the University of Winnipeg with a major in conflict resolution studies, Cree student Corrine Clyne is now graduating from the master of occupational therapy program. At the same time, she has also completed the geriatric certificate program through McMaster University.

The diverse, holistic nature of the health profession immediately captivated Clyne– it was a natural decision to proceed with such a rigourous yet rewarding journey. Upon learning of the lack of culturally safe and relevant health-care services for many Indigenous communities, Clyne chose these programs as they will equip her with the skills and experiences to advocate for change in the health-care system and overcome jurisdictional barriers for better access to services.

“I also recognize the lack of mental health services that were present for me growing up in a reserve,” says Clyne, who is from Norway House Cree Nation. “It is important to address this because mental health affects a person’s health holistically.”

She is eager to join the workforce on reserve in Northern Manitoba and change the lack of culturally appropriate health-care services available in these communities. In the future, she plans to pursue a PhD in applied health sciences.

Ashley Ammeter, Faculty of Graduate Studies (Agricultural and Food Sciences)

Ashley Ammeter previously earned a bachelor of agricultural and food sciences and is now adding a master of science to her accomplishments. Her research focuses on plant breeding approaches to the improvement of canola meal protein quality.

Growing up on a farm in Starbuck, Man., agriculture was always an important part of her life. She learned more about the science behind plant breeding in high school and became fascinated by the topic, which led her to where she is today.  

Ammeter’s research applies to the future of Canada’s food systems and how it impacts the world. As the Earth’s resources are depleted over time, agriculture is at the forefront of addressing challenges related to food availability and access. Her research topic has the potential to create innovations that would ensure Canada’s agriculture industry can navigate future food shortage issues.

As a researcher, she uses a humble mentality when facing setbacks that other students can learn from, that also apply in the real world. “I’ve learned how to effectively solve problems when challenges arise,” says Ammeter. “When things go wrong, there is often a learning opportunity to gain a deeper understanding,”

For several years, Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative government has been pushing hard to reduce the number of government workers, while transferring work and contracts to the private sector. We recently published a report examining privatization and contracting out of design and maintenance of Manitoba’s infrastructure and transportation services, based on interviews with the workers who have been delivering these services.

These workers are responsible for a variety of tasks, such as: highway and bridge maintenance, including snow clearing; capital project planning and delivery; road safety and enforcement, including regulation of trucking; maintenance of the provincial vehicle and equipment fleet; operation of water structures and ferries; and winter roads.

According to workers, the situation is dire. They reported dramatic short-staffing and a refusal by management to fill vacancies, putting public safety at risk. The infrastructure department lost one-third of its staff complement since 2016. Lack of staff was then used to rationalize the selling off of assets, leaving those remaining workers without the equipment needed to do their jobs.

Workers also reported that training offered for employees has also been reduced or eliminated. As one worker put it, “They are just setting us up to fail.” This has led to extremely low levels of morale, high levels of burnout and, despite a strong commitment to public service, workers questioning their future with the province.

A large majority, 72 per cent, believe the proposed and ongoing changes to Manitoba Infrastructure Services’ delivery model and policies will lead to a reduction in the quality of service delivered, and approximately the same amount believe asset quality will be lower after the changes. Seventy-five per cent of workers surveyed questioned the impact these changes would have on public safety, with 55 per cent believing the safety of Manitobans would be compromised.

Worker safety was also a concern, with almost 70 per cent of the workforce feeling worker safety was in jeopardy, and 45 per cent believing it would worsen.

Despite cost savings being the often-noted motivation for contracting out, based on the workers’ experience so far, 73 per cent of workers expect costs to rise, and a similar percentage think the value government gets for taxpayers’ money will decrease. Workers provided many examples of private-sector contractors delivering substandard work, requiring constant policing by government staff and, in many cases, staff having to redo the work.

On average, the workers in our sample had more than 12 years of employment with the province, and a wide array of technical credentials and hands-on experience. Despite this, more than 85 per cent of employees disagreed when asked if they had been consulted on the changes. As one worker put it, decisions were just “jammed down our throats.”

Some even described instances of threatening or bullying behaviour, with one group of workers being told by a senior official, “I’m driving the bus, you either get on it or I’ll run you over.” Instead of consulting its own staff, the government is relying on outside multi-national, for-profit finance and accounting firms with track records of promoting and profiting from privatization.

The negative views of workers are consistent with recent academic studies on the subject. Despite being popular in the 1980s and ‘90s, more recently the pace of contracting out has slowed in response to privatization failures. The returning of contracted out services to public delivery is also increasingly common.

There is now a general consensus that the quality of publicly delivered services often exceeds that of private provision, and more recent studies suggest cost savings now are generally minimal. Manitoba’s reforms, however, appear to be dictated by ideology as opposed to rigorous analysis.

Manitobans, along with public-sector workers, are already paying the price.

The full report “Hard Infrastructure, Hard Times: Worker Perspectives on Privatization and Contracting out of Manitoba Infrastructure” is available now.

To bring momentum to the TRC’s Calls to Action, the alumni couple have established a fellowship to reward the academic achievements of UM graduate students pursuing research in the area of Truth and Reconciliation.

“We have been appalled for many years by the treatment of Indigenous people in Canada,” explains the Dewars. “The Truth and Reconciliation Commission addressed many of these in their 94 Calls to Action and we are concerned that many will gather dust on a shelf. A graduate student’s thesis is a way of evaluating and implementing a course of action for one or more of the calls.  Hopefully they will be a role model for researchers or activists to follow in the future.”

The Dewars are no strangers to graduate work and its impact. In 1972, both earned their master’s degrees from UM – Catherine in human nutritional science and Malcolm in sociology. They describe themselves as “firm believers in serendipitous discovery” and the value research can provide to solving problems in society.

“This gift is generous, meaningful, and a big step in building healthier relationships between Indigenous communities and Canadians because it allows for a focused, nuanced, and thorough approach by those with the most to inherit from reconciliation today,” says Niigaan Sinclair, professor in Native Studies at UM and member of the fellowship’s selection committee.

Beginning in the 2020-2021, the fellowship will award $8,000 to a graduate student who is undertaking or plans to undertake research focused on the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action. They must also have self-declared as a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit person from Canada and have a direct family connection (intergenerational or otherwise) to a Residential School.

The Malcolm & Catherine Dewar Truth and Reconciliation Fellowship adds to the diverse body of Indigenous scholarship and research already being done at UM including in the areas of Indigenous governance, education and legal reconciliation.

Sinclair encourages students to consider Truth and Reconciliation research as an opportunity to help chart a path forward for all Canadians. “To students interested in applying I say: believe in yourself and others do too. Apply, succeed and never forget how important your voice is.”

The first recipient of the Malcolm & Catherine Dewar Truth and Reconciliation Fellowship is Robin Neckoway. Robin is an intergenerational Survivor, with family members on both parents’ sides having attended Residential Schools. Robin obtained a BA in Economics from the University of Winnipeg in 2011 and is currently obtaining his MA in History at UM.

Robin’s research looks at the colonial experiences surrounding hydro development in Northern Manitoba and examines the power that records have in restoring relationships between Indigenous Peoples and the state.

Robin’s research aligns directly with the Calls to Action which address the governments and call for the implementation and adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Moreover, it is related to the restoration of treaty relationships, the call for a greater control of resources and a call for governments to affirm the rights of Indigenous Self-Determination.

We congratulate Robin Neckoway on receiving this award and wish him luck as he pursues this exciting and important research.

The 2021-2022 award is now open for applications. To apply, visit the NCTR website: nctr.ca

“I have been muttering that the Governor General should be Indigenous, should have been Indigenous years ago already – so I am delighted that an Indigenous person has been chosen – and that she is a woman.  Mary Simon is an excellent choice,” says Professor Emma LaRocque, the longest serving faculty member in the UM’s department of Native Studies.

“Ms. Simon has served as an advocate for Inuit rights and culture, and the rights of all Indigenous peoples, and her appointment is a significant and inspirational moment for Canada,” says Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Manitoba. “This appointment comes at a time in our shared history when we are increasingly aware of the importance of Truth and Reconciliation, and of creating a more equitable and inclusive society.”

Simon has visited UM in the past, coming in 2014 to lead a Public Policy Forum lecture series wherein she explained why the future of Canada’s North, and our overall economic prosperity lies in education. UM would welcome the opportunity to host her again in her new role.

Participants are asked to register in advance.

About the Book

Words of the Inuit is an important compendium of Inuit culture illustrated through Inuit words. It brings the sum of the author’s decades of experience and engagement with Inuit and Inuktitut to bear on what he fashions as an amiable, leisurely stroll through words and meanings.

Inuit words are often more complex than English words and frequently contain small units of meaning that add up to convey a larger sensibility. Dorais’s lexical and semantic analyses and reconstructions are not overly technical, yet they reliably evince connections and underlying significations that allow for an in-depth reflection on the richness of Inuit linguistic and cultural heritage and identity. An appendix on the polysynthetic character of Inuit languages includes more detailed grammatical description of interest to more specialist readers.

Organized thematically, the book tours the histories and meanings of the words to illuminate numerous aspects of Inuit culture, including environment and the land; animals and subsistence activities; humans and spirits; family, kinship, and naming; the human body; and socializing with other people in the contemporary world. It concludes with a reflection on the usefulness for modern Inuit—especially youth and others looking to strengthen their cultural identity —to know about the underlying meanings embedded in their language and culture.

“Professor Dorais once again provides expert information and insight into the Inuit language and culture as only he can,” says Alana Johns, Professor Emerita in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Toronto. “This book is written so that academics, Inuit and the public can all learn more about the people who live in Canada’s most northern region. By examining the rich meanings contained within words of Inuktitut, Dorais details social nuances and core aspects of both traditional and modern Inuit culture.”

About the Presenters

Louis-Jacques Dorais is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Anthropology, Université Laval. Since the mid-sixties, a period of time when he became fluent in Inuktitut, he has travelled almost yearly to Inuit communities in Canada, Alaska and Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland), in order to conduct research and teach Inuit linguistics to local students.

Christopher Trott has conducted research with Inuit on Baffin Island focussing on the areas of kinship and social organization. He currently teaches in the Native Studies Department at the University of Manitoba, and is the Warden and Vice-Chancellor of St John’s College.

With a combined nearly 100 years of traditional and contemporary knowledge, perspectives and values shared with the university, their departures mark a monumental shift for both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous campus community. Their dedication and perseverance broke down barriers and led to significant changes at the university. They have paved the way for current and future generations and their legacies will aid UM in furthering its commitment to ensuring a safe learning and working environment for Indigenous staff, students and faculty that we will carry into our future.

“It has been a privilege to work with all of the retirees – each have their own set of skills and expertise and all of us at the university have benefited from their knowledge, their kindness and their generosity as they shared that expertise with us,” says Dr. Catherine Cook, vice-president (Indigenous). “We are privileged to have had them with us as long as we did and we now wish them a long and happy retirement – it is well-deserved!”

We asked the retirees about their memorable moments and asked friends and colleagues to reflect on their accomplishments and legacy that lays the foundation for others.

Brenda Lee Lafreniere

Brenda Lafreniere

Brenda Lee Lafreniere was acting associate director and counsellor with the Access and Aboriginal Focus Programs. For more than 30 years, Lafreniere advocated for and supported hundreds of students and their families. She is respected for her work to foster a greater understanding of Indigenous knowledges, culture and traditions, and, is, as one colleague said, “a warrior woman.”

Through her time at UM, Lafreniere:

• received an Indigenous Award of Excellence in the Lifetime Trailblazer category in 2020
• was a long-serving member of the Indigenous Advisory Circle, Annual Traditional Graduation Pow Wow Committee and Traditional Peoples Advisory Committee
• was a founding member of Gaa wii jii diyaang, a group that includes Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples advocating for Indigenous Achievement at UM

A stand-out moment: “…was the grand opening of the Migizii Agamik building in 2008. This building is a home away from home and a safe place for students and staff. It provides a sense of belonging and is a meeting place that instills pride in who we are as a people and where we can showcase the beauty of our Indigenous culture.”

She is most proud of: “…helping to create a safe place for students to grow and feel empowered and proud of who they are as an Indigenous person. A defining moment for me was when I was honoured at the University of Manitoba Indigenous Awards of Excellence with the Lifetime Trailblazer Award in 2020.”

On students: “During my time at the university, I worked with many Indigenous students and it gives me a sense of great pride to see how resilient they can be amidst sometimes insurmountable odds. At convocation and the Graduation Pow Wow, they walk across the stage strong and proud to receive their degree and prepare the path for future generations.”

What others say about her:

“Brenda’s commitment has always been to the well-being of students as they walk along that difficult academic path…I don’t know if it can be realized what the university is losing at her departure. She holds the institutional memory of decades, she lent her voice to the need for the building of Migizii Agamik when it was still a dream, she has stood up to administrators who didn’t understand the needs of our students and she carried the burden with students when they were too tired to carry it on their own.

Our students have gone through so much and having someone like Brenda to be there for them when they need to be heard or when they need to be told to do better [is so important] – Brenda is a gem that is difficult to replace. She is a warrior woman and wherever her path in life takes her, she will do well and she will be missed.” –Diedre A. Desmarais, PhD, area director, Access and Aboriginal Focus Programs (Extended Education)

“Brenda Lafreniere is committed to supporting Indigenous students, staff and faculty in her role, and her generous spirit has provided a sense of well-being and confidence for all who had the ability to engage with her.”  –Dr. Catherine Cook, vice-president (Indigenous)

Carl W. Stone

Carl Stone (photo by David Lipnowski)

Carl W. Stone was a student advisor and cultural coordinator at the Indigenous Student Centre for over 22 years. He was instrumental in the creation and naming of Migizii Agamik – Bald Eagle Lodge, and well-known for organizing the Fireside Chats cultural education series. Colleagues describe him as a positive force for change – a welcoming, generous person committed to a stronger, more vibrant UM for Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples alike.

Stone is a familiar face to many UM community members, leading traditional gatherings like the Annual Traditional Graduation Pow Wow, bringing prayers and honour songs at UM events and celebrations, and organizing programming like Zongiigabowin, a wellness program for male Indigenous students.

Stone:

• grew up on the Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation, where he helped bring back drum teachings, sweat lodges and pipe ceremonies to the community
• received a UM Award of Excellence in the Service category in 2016
• was publicly honoured as an Elder by the community at the 2019 Annual Keeping the Fires Burning gathering

A stand-out moment: “[…was] when we opened the doors to Migizii Agamik; building that took a lot of meetings and committed leadership and convincing to build.”

He is most proud of: “I loved working with the people I have worked with such as Kali Storm, Dr. Fred Shore, Randy Hermann and the Elders that lead the way with wisdom. I managed to work with two presidents of U of M and two directors to the Indigenous Student Centre. I saw and contributed to [the formation of] the Indigenous Achievement Office and the Office of the [Vice-President (Indigenous)].”

His hope for the future: “That curriculum will include correct Indigenous history in every respect and at all levels, including Indigenous contributions to the development of this country and the world. I see more buildings like Migizii Agamik created to mark the landscape of the Indigenous people such as the first nations of the Anishinabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene, the Inuit and the Métis Nation.”

What others say about him:

“Carl Stone is a kind and generous soul, a skilled orator with a great sense of humour and truly grounded in his cultural and traditional principles and values.” -Dr. Catherine Cook, vice-president (Indigenous)

“[Carl] came to the University of Manitoba as a student in 1977, so he carries a lot of institutional knowledge, which is why he is considered by many people to be one of the ‘keepers of the Indigenous history of the U of M.’ He’s very generous with his time and his stories. As a student advisor, Carl has been a passionate advocate for implementing holistic services so on their academic journeys, students grow and thrive as empowered, culturally-grounded and beloved human beings.

As a cultural teacher, Carl is kind, honest and funny. His self-deprecating humour is balanced with cultural pride and an effortless way of conveying the sacredness of the land, the language and the teachings […] Carl has touched the lives of so many people. People love Carl. It is an honour to know this man, and to work with him. Miigwech to you, my friend, and as you once said to me: May all the love travel with you.” -Christine Cyr, director, Indigenous Student Centre

“Carl is known for his wisdom, aptitude for storytelling and his ability to make people laugh. As a long-time colleague, he became a mentor, friend and cultural teacher. He has made a huge impact at the University of Manitoba and will be greatly missed. I hope his path will cross our campus again.” -Carla Loewen, student advisor, Indigenous Student Centre

Dr. Fred Shore

Fred Shore (photo by David Lipnowski)

Dr. Fred Shore is retiring after 37 years as a loved and respected teacher, and a leading scholar in the rights and history of the Métis people.

A UM alum and long-time professor in the department of Native studies, Shore taught thousands of students to be proud of the origins, history and political systems of the Métis. He was an active advocate for Métis land claims and rights, and wrote widely about the Métis, including in his book, Threads in the Sash: The Story of the Metis People.

Shore advocated for all Indigenous students and was also instrumental in the realization of Migizii Agamik – Bald Eagle Lodge. Early in his career, Shore became head of the department of Native studies and was executive director of UM Accessibility for Visible Minorities, Persons with Disabilities and Aboriginal Peoples.

“I’ve received recognition for my time in teaching, but it’s the personal experiences expressed by the students that really matter,” Shore told UM Today in early 2020.

A stand-up moment: “[…was] the day the department [of Native studies] got its grad program.”

What he is most proud of: “I taught over 7,000 students what it means to be an Indigenous person in the positive sense.”

What he hopes will continue: “The department will continue to be a major part of the Indigenous presence in Winnipeg, Manitoba and nationally.”

What others say about him:

“Dr. Fred Shore has been a role model since I began my studies at the university – a Métis scholar, a strong advocate for Métis rights and issues, and a true collaborator with an ability to bring people together for collective action on issues.” ­-Dr. Catherine Cook, vice-president (Indigenous)

“I would like to share what an incredible story-teller Fred Shore is, both inside and outside of the classroom. His wealth of knowledge and lived experience is nothing short of extraordinary. If you’ve ever had the privilege of spending time with Dr. Shore, you would know he has the natural ability to tell the history of our People and Nations with humour, knowing winks and an impish smile […] I will surely miss his physical presence on campus.” -Nicole Stonyk, Indigenous student recruitment officer

“I first met Fred in the fall of 1997 in my first year of University when I took Intro Native Studies with him… The intro class totally changed my life. I took the class out of personal curiosity, as growing up as the daughter of a residential school survivor, I knew nothing about my ancestry, history or background.

As Fred explained things such as the Indian Act, treaties, residential schools, etc., all of the things that had happened to me in my life and the way my family was all started to make sense. I suddenly understood the experiences of violence, the drug and alcohol abuse, the involvement with CFS and this enabled me to not only begin my own healing process, but to also forgive my parents as I came to understand that they simply did not have the tools, skills or knowledge to deal with their own traumas.

I ended up taking every class that I possibly could with Fred, so not only the intro class, but all three Métis history classes. The one memory that really sticks in my mind is when I was still in first year and taking Intro Native Studies. Fred handed me back one of my papers and said, ‘YOU! GRAD SCHOOL!’ – which, of course, terrified me! I did indeed end up going on to do a master’s in Native studies and am now finishing a PhD in history […] I would not be where I am today without the mentorship and guidance I received from Fred.” -Karen Froman, PhD student, department of history, University of Winnipeg 

Noreen Wichart 

Noreen Wichart

Noreen Wichart was acting area director and Professional Health Programs specialist with the Access and Aboriginal Focus Programs, with which she was involved for 15 years. Throughout her career, she helped Indigenous students achieve their goal of becoming health-care practitioners in a variety of fields.

Wichart is a former Access Program student herself, having returned to university as a mature student. She has made tremendous contributions to Access, Extended Education and the UM community at large.

At UM, Wichart:

• was camp director for the Health Career Quest Summer Camp, a math, health and science camp to help northern high school students achieve a career in health care
• received an Indigenous Award of Excellence (Faculty Trailblazer) and a number of Indigenous Initiatives Funds
• was an early advocate for Ongomiizwin Education at Bannatyne campus

What she will miss most: “[I]t has to be my students. I have worked with many of them for periods in excess of 10 years and have had the privilege to know them quite well during that time. I have learned a great deal from them due to their dedication, commitment, resilience and passion. I am so proud of the many stellar students who have gone on to accomplish great things as health professionals, not only locally, but nationally and internationally. It is so difficult to say goodbye to the team I work with, especially under current circumstances. It seems so unnatural not to say goodbye in person. I will truly miss all of my colleagues […] I have always valued their support, insights, and efforts.”

Her hope for the future: “I truly hope that the Health Careers Access and Professional Health Programs, through the Access Programs, continue to provide Indigenous students with the supports they need to enter the health professional colleges. In fact, I hope this area will see expansion in the future. We are still a long way from adequate representation in the health professions.”

What others say about her:

“Noreen Wichart has worked tirelessly to support and advance Indigenous students in achieving success and reaching their goals – her passionate commitment to this issue, coupled with a great sense of humour, has carried her through some very trying times as she assertively advocated for resources and supports for Indigenous students.” -Dr. Catherine Cook, vice-president (Indigenous)

 “I think it is safe to state the success of the Health Careers Access Program (HCAP) is largely due to Noreen’s commitment to the success of the program, her solid relationship with students and the connections she has built with the health faculties on the Bannatyne campus. One of Noreen’s students, who just graduated as a medical doctor, met Noreen as a high school student in the Heath Careers Quest Summer Camp, then became an HCAP student, was accepted into medicine – and the rest is now history. 

Noreen’s presence has left an indelible mark on the lives of so many; she is irreplaceable. We thank her and we will miss her.” –Diedre A. Desmarais, PhD, area director, Access and Aboriginal Focus Programs (Extended Education)

University Gold Medal
Chauntel Dyck
B.A. Advanced (Economics)

The University Gold Medal is an opportunity to honour the best in the undergraduate graduating class of each faculty. A gold medal is awarded to the undergraduate student in the Faculty of Arts who has achieved the highest standing. This year’s recipient is Chauntel Dyck. Chauntel is graduating with a B.A. Advanced degree with a major in Economics and a minor in Psychology. Chauntel excelled in her studies while in the Faculty and in particular enjoyed some of the specialized courses she was able to take such as Economic Determinants of Health, Economic Research and Communication and Abnormal Psychology. She even found time to take advantage of the Faculty of Arts language programs and fit in an Introductory Italian course. Chauntel’s next challenge will be to pursue the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation and is enrolled in Extended Education this fall to begin her pre-requisites. “I would like to thank the University of Manitoba and the Faculty of Arts for this award. I would also like to thank my parents, sister, grandparents and boyfriend as well as my friends and professors/teachers for always supporting me,” said Chauntel.

Faculty of Arts Honours Medal
Stella Pena Sy
B.A. Honours (Criminology)

Stella Pena Sy is this year’s recipient of the Faculty of Arts Honours Medal awarded to the student with the highest standing in a Bachelor of Arts four-year Honours Degree Program. Stella is graduating with a Criminology major and a Psychology minor.

Faculty of Arts Advanced Medal
Oren Wilson
B.A. Advanced (Psychology)

The award for the highest standing in a Bachelor of Arts four-year Advanced Degree Program goes to Oren Wilson. During his undergraduate degree, Oren majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology. He spread his time among many campus groups and events, but especially enjoyed UMAnime and UMcraft meetings and events. He recalls his first discussion group with UMcraft, “the topic was mental health and, as a Psychology student, I was eager to hear what others had to say on the topic. I’ll never know what the others thought of me, but I will look back on them pleasantly until the end of my days. They are one of the many things that inspired me to shift from theoretical studies to concrete, person-to-person work. My only regret is that I had not attended an event like that sooner.” Oren plans to pursue a graduate degree in the future but first, he hopes to spend some time developing himself and his skills working, volunteering and enjoying what life experiences are thrown his way.

Faculty of Arts General Medal
Samantha Harvey
B.A. General (Native Studies)

Samantha Harvey is the 2020 recipient of the Faculty of Arts General Medal, awarded for highest standing in a Bachelor of Arts three-year General Degree Program. Samantha completed a major in Native Studies and a minor in Sociology. The Michif course Samantha took in her last year of studies seems to have made an impression on her. “It was an extraordinary experience to learn the language that was and is still spoken by the founders of Manitoba. It was incredible to be able to attend a Métis event held on campus that invited community members for a night of music, Métis food, and Michif. It also gave our class the chance to share what we had learned. To be able to take part and celebrate Métis culture and language with community members was some very fun hands-on learning!” said Samantha. She plans to attend the Faculty of Law at UM starting this fall and is hoping to pursue a career in law related to human and animal rights. Samantha has an affinity for animals – she rides horses, works at a stable in her free time and has volunteered with Urban Stables, a program that provides opportunities for youth facing challenges. “Animals are an amazing source of comfort and confidence. Helping the students develop a strong connection to their horse and, over the weeks, become more and more confident and content in themselves and what they can achieve is a great thing to see and be a part of,” shared Samantha.

Congratulations to the medal winners.

At its 2020 UM Virtual Convocation, the University of Manitoba will confer degrees, diplomas and certificates on 4,255 graduates.

Don’t forget to check our UM Student Instagram  and Faculty of Arts Instagram to learn more about some of the students graduating June 29, 2020. You can also join the ‘Convocation conversation’ on social media by following #umanitoba2020.