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.

“Business is a powerful tool of change, and it must be about more than just profit. It must drive positive social and ecological change,” says Michael Benarroch, UM president and vice-chancellor. “Thanks to this selfless gift to our university, we will spark big ideas that will change how we think about and do business, and that will change the world.”

From engineering to entrepreneurship

An award-winning businessman, activist and philanthropist, Chiu grew up in a low-income neighborhood in Hong Kong before moving to Canada to pursue an engineering degree. He says UM provided him with the foundation and education to pursue his dream. As the founder of Calgary-based Trico Group, Chiu, alongside wife Eleanor, have exemplified what it means to build communities through business. Through their decades of work building homes, supporting women, families and new Canadians, and restoring communities in need, they’ve shown what’s possible when business puts people first.

In 2004, Trico was on a corporate retreat in Thailand when a catastrophic tsunami hit. As he clung to a tree watching misery below him, Chiu had an epiphany that led to him and his wife launching the Trico Charitable Foundation in 2008 that focuses on helping businesses solve problems in society.

“We are facing significant challenges in our society, from climate change to social inequality, and we need people who can come up with creative solutions,” says Chiu. “Throughout my career, I’ve always put community first. I firmly believe that doing well by doing good is not only the right thing to do but is also good for business. Through the Centre, students will learn to use entrepreneurial skills to create positive social change.”

Empowering students to lead with purpose

The Chiu Centre will be a university-wide initiative designed to advance our understanding and practice of fully harnessing the power of business models to enhance social impact and foster community, care and compassion. Students will benefit from:

• Research opportunities: Engagement in research focused on systems thinking, social innovation, and business models for social change.
• Thought Leadership: Stimulating thought and culture change in capitalism to the entire UM student body via promoting business models that address social and ecological crises facing humanity.
• Real-world experience: Co-op opportunities, internships, and hands-on projects in companies and organizations that promote progressive and innovative approaches to business, including not-for-profits, Indigenous nations and companies promoting or adopting business models for social and ecological impact.
• Career development: Exposure to purpose-driven careers through speaker series, mentorship, projects, and networking opportunities with national and international stakeholders.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration: Opportunities to work across faculties within UM through embedded programming and student advisory boards.

“The Centre will empower our students and future leaders to approach business with compassion, drive innovation with purpose, and create meaningful impact, all while advancing a culture that keeps community at its core,” says Bruno Silvestre, Dean, I.H. Asper School of Business.

A national leader in this space

This new Centre represents a bold, forward-thinking approach to business and research.

“In the next 10 years, we as a society, as a business school, and university, need to think about how we harness the power of business for greater social impact. We have an opportunity to be a national leader in this area with this Centre,” says Bruno Dyck [BComm(Hons)/84], inaugural Director and Norman Frohlich professor in Business Sustainability at the Asper School of Business.

While ideas like this are often led by fields such as sociology or economics, it’s groundbreaking to see this kind of leadership coming from a business school. By bringing together experts from across disciplines, it challenges the traditional profit-only model and calls on companies to “make the move” toward advancing social and environmental wellbeing alongside economic success.

“I’ve been a graduate student for a number of years, and I have always felt that there was a need for the university and the business school to do more in terms of setting a path for the local community and beyond,” says graduate student Arjun Odedra. “The Chiu Centre for Business Serving Community will be an important resource for both undergraduate and graduate students to help bridge the transition from ideas to actions, serving as a focal point for the community and allowing students to learn about and interact with businesses that are anchors of communities – that harness the intrinsic good that business was meant for.”

A centre built for impact

The Chiu Centre will not only support students, but it will also foster a culture shift in how business is taught and practiced. Rooted in Manitoba, the Centre is poised to inspire collaboration across the province’s business community and beyond. It has the opportunity, and the responsibility, to lead a new movement in which purpose and profit work together to drive sustainable growth and positive change.

Supported by an endowment fund, the Centre will provide sustained resources for leadership, programming, and research, ensuring long-term impact for UM and the broader community.

Learn more

You can hear more insights from Bruno Dyck on the latest episode of What’s the Big Idea podcast.

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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.

“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.

 After graduating, Meier started his own farm in Argyle MB, just a few miles away from the farm he was raised on, where he lived with his wife and three children. He also worked as a full-time dairy inspector for the Government of Manitoba.   

“Alongside him being this successful, smart leader and a kind and wonderful family man, there was a part of him that even we did not know,” said Riese. “He was probably overworked, overwhelmed and overstressed, and in 1989 at 44 years of age, my dad died by suicide. To this day it still has a lot of question marks around it.”  

Riese said her dad was known for being an intuitive, sensitive and generous man – both in his personal relationships and professional pursuits. His sudden death left a profound emptiness and deep void for all those who loved and respected him.  

A Legacy Rooted in Support 

Shortly after Meier’s death, his classmates from the Diploma Class of 1964 came together to honour his memory. They established the Herb Meier Memorial and Diploma in Agriculture Class of ’64 Prize.  

Originally established as a direct-entry scholarship, the award was created to recognize and support the next generation of leaders in Manitoba’s agriculture sector. The award is intended for students who not only show academic promise, but who also possess a strong sense of purpose, have demonstrated leadership skills, and a commitment to pursuing a meaningful career in agriculture or farm-produce value-added processing. 

With decades of collective experience in agriculture, members of the Class of 1964 understand just how much the industry has changed and continues to change. Technological advances, climate change, shifting market demands, and global trade have redefined what it means to work in agriculture today. The class hopes this award will empower recipients not just to adapt to these changes, but to lead them. Their vision is to inspire young people to think critically, act creatively, and contribute to the future of Manitoba agriculture in innovative and sustainable ways. As one class member noted, “Agriculture no longer ends at the end of the field.”  

Educating Future Farmers on Mental Health 

Meier’s mental health struggles were part of his story that lived alongside all of the other great things that he was known for. His devotion to the betterment of others lives on in this prize. Riese said she is grateful to his classmates because a legacy supporting education is very fitting for her dad. Even though he ultimately could not help himself, it is great comfort to his family knowing his passion shines on in the new beginnings of young farmers.  

 “I also want to say thank you to Jim Downey and the rest of my father’s classmates that helped to create and contribute to this fund,” she said. “These men and women were already separated from their university lives by 25 years when this happened, but because of what my father meant to them they came together to memorialize him in this way I know would mean so much to him.”  

Mental health struggles, largely anxiety and depression, were a part of Meier’s story as they are a part of many other farmers’ stories due to financial uncertainty and unpredictable weather/seasons. Additionally, the emotional connection a farmer has with their land is a bond difficult to define. The combination of complicated emotions and business uncertainties can lead to great distress for the farmer.  

Riese believes it’s important to include her father’s cause of death in the prize background, so applicants understand who he was and why the prize exists. She recognizes that a lot of people that go into ag come from an ag family, but they maybe don’t realize mental health is a risk factor in this job just like it is in so many others.  

“In a perfect world, I would love to see us educate young people on some of the realities they may face in their chosen career,” she said. “Whether you’re a shift worker in a hospital or whether you’re a farmer or whatever it is that you choose to do, I think education about the lifestyle of these careers should be part of the core curriculum to help ensure the choice that they’re making is right for them.”  

In sharing her father’s story, Riese hopes to bring awareness of suicide because it is often viewed as a selfish act, which is something she has heard many times over in her life. She explains that mental health is sneaky in that the person’s thoughts are logical to them while to those on the outside it’s very illogical. Suicide in particular leaves a complex grief behind for the families that lasts a lifetime. In bringing awareness to the complexity and tragedy of suicide, she hopes to prevent such a loss for another family.  

Resources

UM offers mental health support for students and faculty/staff as well as many other resources on this website. There are also many resources out there for farmers seeking mental health support, such as the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program, the National Farmer Crisis Line, 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline and more included on the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association’s website.  

For more information about supporting the Herb Meier Memorial and Diploma in Agriculture Class of ’64 Prize, please call Jennifer Triggs, Leadership Giving Officer, at 204-299-6641 or email at Jennifer.triggs@umanitoba.ca. 

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. 

In Manitoba, where MS prevalence is among the highest in the country, the urgency to advance research, care, and advocacy is deeply personal and acutely felt. At the heart of this mission stands the Manitoba Multiple Sclerosis Research Centre (MMSRC), a collaborative hub of researchers, clinicians, trainees, and community members working together to change the future of MS.  

A mission of collaboration and discovery 

The MMSRC was created to amplify Manitoba’s voice in the national and global MS research landscape. Its mission is rooted in building connections—between disciplines, institutions, and individuals—through cutting-edge research, clinical innovation, knowledge translation, and mentorship. As MS remains a complex and evolving disease, the MMSRC embraces interdisciplinary collaboration to explore every facet of its pathogenesis, treatment, and impact. 

In recent years, Manitoba has become a growing center for MS research excellence. The MMSRC is a reflection of that momentum—bringing together basic scientists and clinicians to address the urgent needs of people living with MS, especially those affected by progressive forms of the disease that remain challenging to treat. 

The transformative impact of donor support 

Behind every scientific breakthrough is a foundation of generosity and belief. For MMSRC, community and donor support are not just helpful—they are essential. Funding from donors is vital for enhancing research and clinical trials, developing new MS treatments, and supporting training of the next generation of MS researchers, ensuring a pipeline of expertise for future MS research and health care delivery.  

To support the next generation of MS researchers in Manitoba, Brian Lerner and Dr. Arnold and Barbara Naimark, along with family and friends, created the Hilary Kaufman Lerner Award in memory of Brian’s wife Hilary who died from complications arising from MS. 

“Hilary faced MS with dignity, resolve and defiance. She never gave up hope that one day a cure for MS would be found,” said Lerner. “She never let her challenges prevent her from living her life to the fullest and giving her children, Rebecca and Jonathan, as much as she could to ensure they had the same experiences that other kids have. The inspiration to honour her memory comes from her love of life and her determination to overcome anything that stood in her way.” 

Since its inception, the award has funded multiple graduate students at the University of Manitoba, including five trainees in Dr. Soheila Karimi’s program. 

“These funds have been transformative,” says Karimi. “They supported critical aspects of our research—from electron microscopy used to assess myelin repair, to transcriptomics and proteomics identifying cellular mechanisms of MS. In MS research, trainees are a driving force. Investing in their development is investing in the future of MS care in Canada.”  

The award has also helped students attend conferences and workshops, produce leading publications, and transition into careers in health care, academia, and industry. 

The power of awareness and action 

For MMSRC researchers, MS Awareness Month is more than a calendar event—it’s a catalyst for connection. Public engagement and philanthropy are important for bridging the gap between research discovery and patient impact. 

“MS Awareness Month provides the opportunity to bring MS to the forefront and discuss its impact on individuals, families, and communities,” said Karimi. “It also allows us to share the exciting, home-grown research taking place right here in Manitoba.”  

Facing the future together 

Despite recent progress, the challenges in MS research remain significant. Developing effective therapies for progressive MS is particularly challenging, as many existing treatments have not shown efficacy in these forms of the disease. Additionally, limited availability of MS specialists and health professionals further hinder timely diagnoses. More personalized strategies to care are also required to address the diverse symptoms and treatment needs of people living with MS.  

“Those who loved Hilary hope that her legacy will contribute tangibly to finding a cure for MS. The work to do so is ongoing and challenging, and the support for this hard work is vital,” said Lerner. “Governments can only do so much. There are endless priorities, all of which are important, and limited funds. It is vital to have a supportive community that understands that philanthropy is necessary to move the needle in finding a cure for MS.” 

“Together, we’re not just studying MS—we’re shaping a future where MS is no longer a life-altering diagnosis,” said Karimi. “That future starts here in Manitoba—with research, with community, and with support from donors like the Lerner family.” 

For more information on MMSRC, please visit their website. To support the next generation of MS researchers in Manitoba, donate online or contact Priyanka Singh, Senior Director, Major Gifts, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at priyanka.singh@umanitoba.ca. 

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. 

This gift will support the development of a landmark space dedicated to not only preserving the truths of Residential School Survivors and educating generations of Canadians about our shared history but also acting as a national and international beacon of truth and reconciliation, education, and healing.  

UM spoke with Stephanie Scott (SS), Executive Director of the NCTR, and Paul Mahon (PM), President and CEO of Canada Life, to talk about the significance of this gift and how it supports the work of the NCTR. 

Winnipeg: The Heart of Turtle Island 

The Centre’s home in Winnipeg, MB is deeply symbolic. Known in Prairie cultures as the heart of Turtle Island, the city sits at the geographic centre of Canada and has long served as a gathering place for diverse peoples. 

Q: How does the location of the NCTR in Winnipeg—both physically and symbolically—reflect its role in truth and reconciliation across Canada? 

SS: “Winnipeg has always supported Truth and Reconciliation, and it’s where the Truth and Reconciliation Commission held its earliest events. The NCTR is surrounded by some of the country’s largest Indigenous populations and is rooted in strong community partnerships.” 

PM: “Indigenous leaders tell us that this land where Winnipeg is has been a meeting place for thousands of years. I believe that continues to be just as true today as it has always been. With the establishment of a permanent home, the NCTR will be able to continue bringing people together in the shared goal of reconciliation.” 

A New Home for the NCTR — A National Space for Healing and Learning 

The NCTR’s new building will be a space where Survivors and their families can gather to share their truths, knowledge, and experiences. It will also be a place for reflection and reconnection—where families can visit to heal, remember lost loved ones, and reclaim erased histories. 

Since 2015, the NCTR has preserved more than 7,000 Survivor statements, thousands of photographs, and sacred items entrusted to its care. Until now, it has operated from a temporary space on UM’s campus. The new facility will allow the Centre to continue this work on a scale that matches its national and global significance.  

Q: The NCTR is dedicated to preserving Survivor’s truths—how does this funding help ensure that their truths are heard and learned from? 

SS: “The Centre works on behalf of Survivors, alongside a network of partners and supporters, to expand and promote the ongoing research and learning of residential schools and their lasting impacts. With each story we preserve, we safeguard the truth for future generations—and this funding brings us one step closer to making the Survivor’s vision of a permanent home a reality.” 

Q: Why did Canada Life and Power Corporation of Canada choose to support the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation with this $2 million gift? 

PM: “Our relationship with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has been one focused on advancing reconciliation. And while we are proud of the work we’ve done so far, we also recognize that the work is far from finished. The decision to support the NCTR’s campaign to build a permanent home is part of our ongoing commitment to doing better. This is a gift of responsibility. A recognition that we have a role to play, and that reconciliation is not someone else’s job—it belongs to all of us. It’s one step—among many—in a journey we are committed to taking.” 

Q: What message do you think this gift sends to other corporate and philanthropic organizations in Canada? 

SS: “We cannot do this work alone. This gift shows other corporate and philanthropic organizations that they, too, can belong to this movement. There is space for everyone to contribute to truth and reconciliation.” 

PM: “Reconciliation is not a box to be checked. It’s not a single act. It’s a continuous process—one that calls on us to listen more deeply, to act more meaningfully. I see the potential for our whole community to come together in reconciliation. Putting our foot forward this way calls on other organizations across Canada to do their part as well, and I think that is what’s most important.” 

A Call for Collective Action 

This gift is more than a contribution—it is a call to action, as lasting change requires widespread participation. 

Q: Why is it important for Canadian businesses and corporations to take an active role in Truth and Reconciliation? 

PM: “After the Truth and Reconciliation Commission published its report and Calls to Action, we were asked to join the Winnipeg Indigenous Accord. By signing the Accord, we committed ourselves to supporting Reconciliation. Looking back, I’m very proud that Canada Life is one of the founding signatories to the Accord.  

Aligned to the Call to Action #92, we began a journey that continues to this day. We’ve engaged Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and other Indigenous voices to help amplify their stories. Through this, both our company, and our employees have learned more about the importance of Truth and Reconciliation and our role in it. As a company, we’ve made a point to raise the Survivors flag, honour Orange Shirt Day, and voluntarily provide all of our employees with a day away from work on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to allow them to engage on this important day. 

For Canada Life, these actions are entirely aligned to our values and our purpose as a company. These actions have strengthened the fabric of our culture as an organization. They also connect us more deeply to the communities we serve and operate in. I’m hopeful that other businesses will continue to walk with us on this journey to advance Truth and Reconciliation Reconciliation in Canada. 

We recognize that we all have a role to play in supporting Truth and Reconciliation. This is a responsibility that belongs to all of us. The NCTR will continue to guide all of us in this work, and they’ll be enabled by a permanent home here in Manitoba.” 

Looking Ahead 

The NCTR is more than a building. It is a living legacy. A space where Indigenous and non-Indigenous people can gather, learn, and heal together. 

Q: For Canadians who want to support Truth and Reconciliation but aren’t sure how, what advice would you give them? 

SS: “Every Canadian has a role to play. I would encourage all to reach out to learn more about the NCTR and our mandate and priorities. People can attend a monthly webinar, Residential Schools 101, participate in ongoing NCTR Dialogues on a variety of topics, or attend events during our annual Truth and Reconciliation Week at the end of September. The most powerful thing you can do is show up, listen, and carry those truths with you.” 

The journey of truth and reconciliation continues—and with support from allies like Canada Life and Power Corporation of Canada, that journey is taking shape in Winnipeg, MB — at the heart of the nation. 

To learn more about NCTR corporate giving, please contact Janell Melenchuk, Director of Major & Corporate Giving at janell.melenchuk@umanitoba.ca. For other ways to support the NCTR, please visit their website. 

As part of a major $40 million capital campaign, this gift will help the NCTR build a new, dedicated and permanent home located on the grounds of the University of Manitoba. Construction of the new facility will begin in 2026 and is slated to open in 2029.

“At Canada Life, we’re committed to advancing reconciliation and fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities across Canada,” said Paul Mahon, President and CEO, Canada Life. “A permanent facility for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation will be a space for Survivors to share knowledge, a place where Indigenous cultures may grow and thrive, and a guiding light for all Canadians to learn, reflect, and grow, as we participate on the journey of reconciliation together. We’re honoured to be able to support this important project which will allow the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to leave a permanent legacy for all Canadians.”

“At Power Corporation, we believe in creating space — physical, human and symbolic — for reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples,” said Paul C. Genest, Senior Vice President, Power Corporation of Canada. “The new home of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation will be a lasting place of truth telling, learning, and healing for Survivors and for all Canadians. We’re honoured to support this important project and grateful to the NCTR for their strength, vision and leadership.”

Established in 2015, the NCTR continues the work started by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, serving as the home to the statements, documents and historic materials of Residential School Survivors, families and communities. Hosted in a temporary space at the University of Manitoba, they promote continued research and learning on the legacy of residential schools to foster reconciliation and healing on the foundation of truth telling.

“Residential schools attempted to take away our languages, our identities, and our very selves,” said Edna Elias, NCTR Survivor Circle member. “Yet we are still here – as strong peoples who are building futures alongside our communities for future generations. That’s why the NCTR’s building is so important to Survivors. It will be a sacred space where we can share our truths and oral histories with our future generations.” 

Their new, permanent home will be an international attraction for its cutting-edge work where history and Indigenous cultures come to life. It will be a safe space for Survivors to come together to share their truths, knowledge and experiences, a place where family members can visit for healing and to reconnect with lost histories and loved ones, and a place where children, families, and people from all walks of life can embark on their own journey of reconciliation.

“The NCTR is grateful to Canada Life and Power Corporation of Canada for this gift – it is a true demonstration of their commitment to preserving the truths of Survivors who were forced to attend residential schools,” said Stephanie Scott, Executive Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. “This gift will help us build our international learning lodge, where the truths are protected, where history is never forgotten nor denied, and where all are welcome to visit to know more about residential schools, and the impacts they have had on Indigenous Peoples, their families and communities.”

“NCTR has been one of the most transformative partners the University of Manitoba has had. And it is our university’s great honour to hold their trust as we build a new home that reflects the vision of Survivors from across this country,” said Dr. Michael Benarroch, University of Manitoba, President and Vice-chancellor. “We are privileged and grateful to have remarkable partners in Canada Life and Power Corporation of Canada who share in our commitment to advance Calls to Action and preserve Survivor stories.”

Canada Life and Power Corporation of Canada have a long history of philanthropic leadership and remain dedicated to helping to build stronger communities, advancing reconciliation and fostering understanding, healing and meaningful change. Over the past few years, Canada Life has worked collaboratively with NCTR to honour and amplify the voices of Indigenous communities, through raising the Survivors’ Flag in commemoration of Orange Shirt Day.

For more information about the NCTR, please visit their website.

For more information about Canada Life, please visit their website.

For more information about Power Corporation of Canada, please visit their website.