Students, staff and faculty are invited to apply from Nov. 10 to Dec. 1.

“Clearly, systemic oppression in all of its forms is still alive and well. We all have to do our part to keep working to change inequitable systems,” says Robin Attas, EDIA Specialist, Extended Education.

“The responsible thing to do is to step up and do our part. Do it for the people you love. Do it for your children, family, friends, and colleagues. If you want to help, learn more by taking this course.”

EDIA: Foundations provides a framework to make sense of the world and a place to learn with each other, she says. The course and three-course micro-certificate are offered to the UM community at no cost to learners.

“Our numbers are strong. We have participants from every faculty and many units on campus. It’s amazing how much it has grown, and it is amazing to see this continue.”

Attas invites UM community members including students, staff and faculty to join the UM’s growing EDIA learning community and apply for the course. And those who have already taken it can invite their peers.

EDIA learner, Jasmine Brar, recommends the program.

“We all need to understand our experiences and our barriers we face in our daily lives. If we move those barriers, there is so much we can achieve,” says Brar.

EDIA 0100: Foundations and the Micro-certificate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) are offered by Extended Education in partnership with the Office of Equity Transformation and with the support of the UM President’s Office as part of UM’s efforts to improve equity and access across UM campuses by educating and empowering UM staff, students and faculty to contribute to individual and collective transformation.

“The University of Manitoba remains firmly committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA). It is in our Strategic Plan,” Attas says. “This is one way UM, and Extended Education, demonstrate that commitment.”

Apply now

EDIA 0100: Foundations course applications are open from Nov. 10 to Dec. 1.

Learn how to apply to the EDIA: Foundations course

To read the entire article, please visit CTV News.

The Access Program supports the hearts, minds, bodies and spirits of a diverse student population on their journey to academic success. Since 1975, Access has supported over 700 UM graduates. Here are the stories of two students.

Brett Naylor

Brett Naylor worked as a cook for 20 years, and then he realized he missed being outside and close to nature like when he was growing up in Thompson and Gimli, Manitoba. He wanted to explore his options so he came to the University of Manitoba where an academic advisor and former Access student suggested he explore the Access Program.

Now the member of the Bloodvein First Nation is studying biological sciences in the Faculty of Science as an Access student. He plans to return to his community one day to advocate for it, and to encourage Indigenous kids to consider university.

Naylor fondly remembers his initial orientation with the program, and now he makes a point of speaking to new Access students at their orientation.

“University is hard. I had no idea what it entailed. It was reassuring to meet some students who were succeeding. A couple of mature students assured me I had a place here. I was not an outsider. I was not going to be alone.”

When he attended a science class with instructor, Emily McKinnon, he knew he wanted to pursue sciences. “It reminded me of my childhood on the lake and in nature.”

With Access, he says, “I got to see the university through a different set of eyes, from an Indigenous perspective. At Access, I felt more at home.”

Initially, Naylor worried about being a mature student in large classes full of 18-year-olds who had privileges he never had like being able to live at home during their studies.

“Access was pretty perfect. Smaller classes, other Indigenous students, other mature students, access to counselling, tutoring, cultural support, smudging… I got more exposure to my culture.”

Access helped him make the transition to university.

“I invite kids to check out the program all the time. Kids from up north are worried to come to Winnipeg. It’s a big city, culture shock. You are changing everything. You are thrust into adulthood, having to figure out the bus, rent, food, where to do your laundry. You spend half your time just trying to get by. It’s not just education. Access supports your ability to deal with life. It’s such an open, welcome place. Everyone’s nice and friendly. It is worth checking out.”

Naylor looks forward to stopping by the open house. “You get to know people. You are not just a face in the crowd. You form relationships. That’s really nice. University can be lonely. Just seeing a friendly face helps. It’s nice to touch base, to see where everyone is at. I will go to Migizii to say hi, to catch up with people from my first-year classes.”

Jesse McGregor in his white coat at Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

Jesse McGregor

Jesse McGregor put on his white coat last week to start his medical studies at the Max Rady College of Medicine. This First Nations student from the Mispawistik (Grand Rapids) Cree Nation who grew in in Norway House began his journey at the University of Manitoba with the Access Program.

“I have always been a helper. It’s important to my identity to take on a caregiver role,” says McGregor, noting this calling is reflected in the Indigenous name he was given in ceremony when he was still in high school: Pimichiwan (Flowing Water), as water serves as a healer. His mom is also an inspiration, serving as a nurse in the north.

“Life on the reserve and life in the city are like two different worlds,” he says. “I remember walking in University Centre and feeling like I was a little fish in a big sea. Students were walking in many directions. There were moments of doubt. Every student is trying to find their way.”

The feelings of culture shock, the loneliness, the longing for home are tough for a bush kid who has come to the city, he says, sharing that his choice to go home for the weekend instead of study for his first exam led to him failing it.

“Access supported me through that. They really care. They helped to create a plan for me. They provided a tutor for me.  I passed the course. Without the support, what would I have done? I had no plan. I was learning new skills. I needed guidance. It was a tough experience but I pulled through.”

McGregor is still friends with the fellow students he met in his first-year classes with Access. He attended many of their academic workshops to build his skills.

“The Access Program was always my place to go. Even after I transitioned to the Bannatyne Campus, I had their support system. They really did take great care of me.”

During a recent job as an Indigenous Student Recruitment Officer, McGregor had the opportunity to encourage others to pursue a university education and he always recommends the Access Program.

“They are the most down-to-earth, incredible team. On their 50^th anniversary, I wish them all the best, many more students and many more years of success.”

Learn more about the Access Program

With the SISF grant, we will expand the role of North American Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame member Patti Kusturok to that of DFOM Artist-in-Residence. As part of her role, Kusturok will be offering one-on-one fiddling lessons to DFOM students and to UM students outside of DFOM. She will also be teaching a 3 credit course in the Fall 2025 term titled MUSC 3830 (T49) Fiddling across the Country which will explore Canada’s diverse fiddling tradition by taking a look at the many fiddling styles practiced in Canada, listening to various fiddlers and discovering what makes them unique. In addition to using recordings, live fiddlers will be invited as guests in the course. 

In 2025-26, DFOM is also creating a fiddling outreach by connecting Patti Kusturok and some of our DFOM students with the Sistema program, run by Jeffrey Acosta for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. In addition to this link with middle school and high school members of the Sistema program, we will also host other outreach events, including a Fiddling Showcase at the Desautels Concert Hall on March 14, 2026, in partnership with the Red River Fiddle and Dance Society.

Complete registration information for Fiddling across the Country is below: 

MUSC 3830 (T49) – Fiddling across the Country 
3 credits 
CRN 26534 
Fall 2025 term 
Thursday 5:30-8:30  
Instructor – Patti Kusturok

Last September, as winner of the 2024 Aikins Memorial Trophy, Ari Hooker made his solo debut with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO), performing the first movement of his own Piano Concerto No. 1. One month later, he was back onstage with the WSO to play Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. “These performances were made even more meaningful by the fact that I got to perform alongside my dad, Yuri Hooker, who’s been principal cellist of the WSO for 25 years,” he explains.

Ari recently won the $3,000 first prize at the Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg’s scholarship competition. In August, his Piano Quartet will receive its premiere at the Rosamunde Summer Music Academy’s 2025 festival. He’ll be a soloist with the University of Manitoba Symphony Orchestra next season, and he dreams of one day composing a video game score.

To read the entire story, please follow the link to CBC Music.

Students graduating from Red River College Polytechnic’s (RRC Polytech) Engineering Technology programs are now eligible for direct entry into a department program in the Price Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba (UM), creating career options and opportunities for new graduates or industry professionals looking to level up.

This new partnership provides RRC Polytech Engineering Technology graduates the ability to further their education and earn an engineering degree in Manitoba, allowing students to experience the benefits of both programs through an accelerated approach. Pathways are available for up to ten RRC Polytech graduates per year applying to UM’s Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering programs in Fall 2025.

“We’re thrilled to see this partnership with RRC Polytech become a reality. This will mean an easier transition for students, as we work together to develop and keep engineering talent here in Manitoba,” says Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor of UM. “UM’s Price Faculty of Engineering offers a comprehensive range of professional degree programs, co- and extra-curricular co-op, internship, and design opportunities to meet students’ interests, and it also offers the first-in-Canada Department of Engineering Education.”

This opportunity is open to RRC Polytech students graduating in 2025 as well as graduates from the last ten years.

“This partnership creates an invaluable pathway for graduates of RRC Polytech’s Engineering Technology programs to continue their educational journey right here in Manitoba. RRC Polytech and UM have a strong relationship, and this articulation agreement creates more opportunities for student mobility between our institutions. Most importantly it keeps talent here in Manitoba to support our industry and economy,” says Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech.

A recent report from the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and Canada West Foundation noted that over the past decade there has been more youth (aged 15 to 34) leaving the province than arriving, with one of the key factors being a lack of opportunities for career advancement. RRC Polytech and UM work closely with industry through program advisory councils and regular discussions about bolstering the province’s economy and providing training for the skills of tomorrow.

For Price Industries, it’s an important part of growing and attracting a strong local workforce.

“For decades, I have had the privilege of hiring and working with graduates from RRC Polytech’s Engineering Technology programs and UM’s Price Faculty of Engineering. Both institutes produce incredible talent that has been vital to the success of our company, and both institutes are our preferred providers of engineering talent, many of whom now lead our various business units. I’m championing this partnership because I know that individuals who take both programs will elevate their own professional skill level and help companies grow and succeed in a multitude of industries,” says Dr. Gerry Price, Chairman and CEO of Price Industries.

This collaborative approach between the post-secondary institutions leverages existing strengths in research, facilities, equipment, infrastructure, and curriculum with the shared goals of supporting student achievement leading to increased graduate numbers, increasing diversity of students, offering high-quality program delivery, and ensuring research success. Both RRC Polytech and UM strive to meet Manitoba employer needs for a diverse workforce through recruitment of under-represented students into Engineering programs.

“It is important for Manitoba’s Polytechnic and Manitoba’s U15 university to be collaborating on education and training opportunities, and we know that the dual credentials are highly valued in industry and support career mobility for the graduates in fields that are important to Manitoba’s economy and growth,” says Marcia Friesen, Dean, Price Faculty of Engineering.

Manitobans of all backgrounds can access an engineering degree through this partnership and existing pathway programs, including supports for Indigenous students through RRC Polytech and UM’s respective programs, Pathway to Engineering Technology Program and Engineering Access Program (ENGAP).

“No matter their level of education or career experience, students can obtain a diploma and degree in engineering and accelerate their career options. This type of cross-institutional agreement will provide clear steps and support for students to adapt seamlessly from classroom to industry,” says Derek Kochenash, Dean, School of Skilled Trades and Technologies, RRC Polytech.

This new agreement is available for students graduating from the following programs at RRC Polytech:

• Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Municipal Engineering Technology
• Structural Engineering Technology
• Geomatics Technology
• Environmental Engineering Technology

Applications will close June 1, 2025 for the Fall 2025 start date.

In Fall 2026, the agreement is expected to have additional articulation pathways available for RRC Polytech graduates applying to Biosystems, Electrical and Computer Engineering programs at UM.

Every Freeze Is Different will provide an opportunity to experience music in new ways, incorporating multimedia, narration, visual art, and singing, outside the norms of traditional classical performance. This music will not only bring people together, but will stimulate the senses and the imagination. It is a highly collaborative event, with participation of the Winnipeg Chamber Winds Collective, directed by Jacquie Dawson, including local musicians, students, and faculty from both the Desautels Faculty of Music and the School Art.

The title of the inaugural concert, Every Freeze Is Different (2017) is from a composition on the program by Yellowknife-based composer, Carmen Braden. Braden was inspired to write the work as she watched snow falling and noticed ice forming on lakes, while some leaves fell from trees and others remained clinging, still green, to their branches. She realized how the repeating cycles and seasons of all parts of life have infinite variations to be explored and celebrated. Also on the program is Stone’s Throw (2018), by Manitoba-born Jocelyn Morlock, who was one of Canada’s leading composers. This piece was inspired by Ann Southam’s music, much of which refers to the repetitive nature of so-called women’s work—such as weaving and washing dishes—with a joyful, sunny nature. The Great Flood (2024) references the Cree Creation story and is part of a body of oral literary stories of the Northern Cree, shared with Metis writer and Indigenous Culture Carrier Joyce Clouston by Elder Stanley McKay. Clouston’s text was set to music by Manitoba-born composer Karen Sunabacka. This work was commissioned for the opening of the Desautels Concert Hall and is the most recent of a series of works created by the mother-daughter team of Clouston and Sunabacka. The concert will open with American composer Paul Lansky’s Threads (2005), featuring DFOM students in the UofM Percussion Ensemble, directed by Victoria Sparks, along with the UofM eXperimental Improv Ensemble (XIE), directed by Gordon Fitzell.

The Desautels Faculty of Music is deeply committed to community engagement and sharing stories and musical experiences. The Sharing Our Voices series will welcome the local community into DFOM’s state-of-the-art facilities at the UofM campus and will also bring music to more remote communities. Upcoming programs in the Sharing Our Voices series include Tales from the North, student outreach concerts that explore stories from Korea to Canada and Turtle Island. These performances will take place on campus on January 29, in St. Laurent on February 3, and in Selkirk on February 10, 2025.

Every Freeze Is Different, created as part of the ReSound Community Concerts in partnership with Winnipeg’s New Music Festival, starts at 7:30pm and will be held at Desautels Concert Hall at 150 Dafoe Road. A reception will follow. The event is free of charge but your seat must be reserved. For more information, see: https://eventscalendar.umanitoba.ca/site/music/event/re-sound–every-freeze-is-different/.

Students, staff and faculty are invited to apply from Nov. 21 to 28.

The first offering of the course, offered at no cost to the UM community, wrapped up in June. “It was amazing,” says Robin Attas, Project Lead, University of Manitoba Equity Diversity Inclusion Accessibility credential.  “It was exciting watching people interact with each other across roles. Staff, faculty, undergraduate and graduate students were all having important conversations and helping each other to learn more. Everyone was teaching and learning from each other.”

Learners who complete the prerequisite can go on to the three-course micro-certificate, introduced in Fall 2024, to expand on their EDIA learning.

EDIA 0100: Foundations and the Micro-certificate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) are offered in partnership with the Office of Equity Transformation and with the support of the UM President’s Office as part of UM’s efforts to improve equity and access across UM campuses by educating and empowering UM staff, students and faculty to contribute to individual and collective transformation.

“We can all do and learn more. Whether you are an expert or just beginning your journey with EDIA, you have a place here,” says Attas.

Apply for the prerequisite

EDIA 0100: Foundations course applications are open from Nov. 21 to Nov. 28 and learners are again invited to participate through a lottery process.

Learn how to apply to the EDIA: Foundations course

“The minute I walked into the classroom; I knew this was truly my passion. I absolutely love our students, to watch them grow and cross the stage at graduation,” says Sheare.

The full-time instructor and instructor mentor invited everyone to join her at the second annual Empowering Excellence UM continuing education showcase.

A glamourous evening

“Last year, we didn’t know what to expect. But it was a really nice evening, glamourous and so well done,” says the recipient of a 2023 Instructor Excellence Award. “I was inviting other instructors. I had no idea I would receive an award. Standing up there, hearing the cheering for me, I have never experienced anything like this in my career. I will never forget it.”

The recognition of her students and her peers means the world to Sheare, and so does how much she continues to learn from her students and the instructors she mentors. “Teaching and mentoring are really about learning from each other, offering support and building relationships.”

In a competitive job market, HR jobs are about connections, so Sheare says she does everything she can to support her students. She often sees them again as a mentor with CPHR Manitoba. “I am so proud of them.”

Patti Sheare, Extended Education instructor

Same-day Career Fair

Of course, she encourages all students and alumni to check out the Career Fair too. It’s a great opportunity to network and learn about new careers.

Sheare enjoyed attending Empowering Excellence. “It’s about collaboration and bringing people together over dinner and a social evening. The more we get to know each other, the stronger our connections. It brings together instructors, staff, industry and students in an event that will grow over time. We should all go to this.”

Instructors show their support for Extended Education and see each other in a social setting. Industry comes out to understand more about what Extended Education programs and partnerships are all about, she says.

“It brings us all together to enjoy a nice evening. I really look forward to it.”

Adrienne Bestland

When Adrienne Bestland and the Manitoba Municipal Administrators (MMA) attend a conference or event, they now bring their 2023 Partnership Excellence Award from Extended Education. It recognizes the about 50-year partnership MMA has had with UM.

“Winning this award not only recognizes our long-standing collaboration but also validates the MMA’s mission to promote Municipal Administration as a career and enhance the professional growth of our members,” says Bestland, Executive Director, MMA. “It significantly strengthens the MMA’s reputation, enhancing our credibility and visibility as an association.”

Bestland also completed the Certificate in Manitoba Municipal Administration offered by UM in partnership with MMA. “We are now making changes to the program to meet the changing needs of our members, and it has been wonderful working with Extended Education.”

Connection and collaboration

Last year, Bestland attended Empowering Excellence with Duane Nicol and Nettie Neudorf, both now past presidents of MMA. Nicol and Neudorf have both been instructors in the program. Neudorf received a 2023 Instructor Service Award.

“It was great to meet a lot of Extended Education staff, instructors and other partners,” says Bestland. “It reminds us of the importance of supporting one another and how important these collaborations are.”

Empowering Excellence provides a more personal connection than the usual, she says. “It’s not just an email. People are often so busy. This helps us to take time to put a face to names, in a social context.”

Bestland says she and the MMA are honoured to be a part of Empowering Excellence. “It is a privilege to be a part of this group, to be in this space, to connect and celebrate with others.”

Since they received an award, she has also noticed that registrations in her partnership program have increased.

“Holding this partnership award means we are worth checking out. People like it.”

Learn more about Empowering Excellence

Meet the Ensemble

This talented group is made up of ten dynamic students from diverse backgrounds, including first through fourth-year students from the Faculty of Music, as well as two exceptional performers from outside the faculty. Here’s a closer look at some of the remarkable individuals who will be representing the University:

• Jackson Bartel (Second Year, Music): A strong team player, Jackson’s individual contributions inspire those around him. 
• Andy Chiu (Third Year, Psychology): After performing in percussion ensembles in Hong Kong, Andy bring experience and positive energy to the ensemble.
• Karen Georgy (First Year, Music): With fresh energy, Karen’s enthusiasm is infectious and brings vitality to the group.
• Nathan Gibbens (Third Year, Music): With a passion for performance, Nate brings commitment and consistency to the ensemble. 
• Maggie Koreen (Fourth Year, Music): Combining her love for music and theatre, Maggie’s performance skills endear her to audiences of all types.
• Melody Pearson-Monroe (Second Year, Music): Balancing her passion for percussion with her love for singing, her “melodious” touch adds finesse to her performances.
• Travis Singbeil (Second Year, Science): Joining the ensemble this year from the faculty of science, Travis’ creativity and detail-oriented approach makes him a fantastic new member of the ensemble. 
• Will Spencler (First Year, Music): Bringing enthusiasm for every task he pursues, Will’s zest for learning motivates everyone around him!
• Eric Tarant (First Year, Music): Joining the ensemble this year, Eric brings perseverance and a love for collaboration to every rehearsal.
• Emma Wynne (Fourth Year, Music): Committed to music education, Emma’s musical and leadership skills share confidence and support to everyone who performs with her. 

The Heart of the Performance

At the heart of the ensemble’s presentation is Paul Lansky’s percussion quartet “Threads,” a ten-movement piece that serves as a framework for exploring community-based rehearsal skills. Each movement will feature different quartets of students, allowing for an array of group interactions and dynamic leadership roles. This innovative approach aims to create a rich tapestry of musical expression and collaboration, drawing on the wide-ranging sonic qualities of percussion instruments.

Described by Lansky as a “cantata” for percussion, “Threads” intricately weaves together arias, choruses, and recitatives, showcasing the diverse sounds of percussion—from the lyrical to the forceful. This exploration will not only enhance the students’ musicianship but also foster a deeper connection within the ensemble and their audience.

Looking Ahead

The University of Manitoba Percussion Ensemble will be traveling to Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia from October 17-20, ready to engage with percussionists and researchers from across Canada. The ensemble is not only looking forward to performing but also to learning from the wealth of knowledge shared at the conference, hosted by the Canadian Percussion Network. 

As they prepare to take the stage, these talented students exemplify the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and community that defines the University of Manitoba’s music program. Keep an eye out for their inspiring journey, as they connect threads of rhythm, melody, and friendship across the country!