UM Indigenous

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UM Indigenous

Celebrating Indigenous voices, culture and community at UM.

Visit us at the Indigenous Student Centre for programming, student services and cultural learning opportunities.

06/04/2026

We’re proud to celebrate Dani Fenn, Scott Saindon and Kayleigh Pagee, who are among the 2026 Honouring the Indigenous Campus Community recipients! 👏

Dani is a 2S Red River Métis and settler artist, poet and Master in City Planning student. They are being recognized for exploring how dreaming and imagining the future can serve as tools for Indigenous planning, kinship and resistance.

Scott shares, “Receiving this recognition affirms the efforts of my family, community and mentors. It is incredibly humbling to put their wisdom into action and honour them.”

Kayleigh says this recognition reminds her that barriers can be overcome and shares a message for Indigenous youth: “Dream bigger, push forward and know you belong in every space you choose to enter.”

06/02/2026

We’re celebrating 20 remarkable individuals in the 10th year of Honouring the Indigenous Campus Community 💛 Today we highlight Aubrey Slater, Madison Bonnefoy and Leah Fontaine.

“This recognition means so much to me because my journey has not been linear,” shares Aubrey. “Being recognized now reminds me how far I’ve come and reinforces my purpose to uplift Indigenous youth and community.”

Madison is grateful to be recognized by such a wonderful community, “I hold this pride for myself, my family and community, who are the forces that drive me in all that I do.”

And Leah shares her gratitude with those who supported her efforts in Indigenous art education, “Chi miigwech, thank you.”

Stay tuned as we continue sharing the 2026 honourees!✨

06/01/2026

Congratulations Kookum Barbara Bruce (Flies High Thunderbird and Truth Talker) for being recognized with an Honorary Degree, the University of Manitoba’s highest honour! 👏

Kookum Barbara is a two-spirit Métis Elder, Sundance leader and pipe carrier from St. Laurent, Manitoba. She has dedicated her life to advancing Indigenous wellness, leadership and self-determination.

From child welfare reform and national consultations to co-founding Medicine Wolf Healing Place and helping advance UM’s Indigenous Identity Policy, her impact continues to be felt across communities and generations.

Kookum Barbara exemplifies the transformative power of Indigenous knowledge and leadership. Her infectious spirit, kindness and steady strength inspire us all. Congratulations! 💛

05/27/2026

Hi Katherine! 👋

This month, we are shining the Indigenous Colleague Connect spotlight on Katherine Davis, Instructor I, Interdisciplinary Management, Asper School of Business & Director of Indigenous Business Relations. ✨

Nation/self-declaration: I am Giizhik Kwe (Cedar Woman) of the Bear Clan, a Red River Métis woman connected to the Halcro, Paul, Bird, Corrigal, Anderson and Cook families, with roots in the Red River and Halcro settlements and a member of the MMF Bison Local.

What brought you to UM? I completed my BA in Global Political Economy at the University of Manitoba, later returning for my MBA at the Asper School of Business. I’ve held several roles at UM, including work with Indigenous Business Education Partners and the Office of Change Management. After two years in consulting, I returned as an instructor for Indigenous Peoples & Canadian Business and became Director of Indigenous Business Relations in 2024.

Favourite part of your position? I love the people I meet as an instructor — students, collaborators, community members at Indigenous events and partners from Indigenous Nations. With so many exciting initiatives underway, it’s meaningful to be part of the growth and change happening now.

Most rewarding accomplishment? The relationships I’ve built — with people who are caring, committed to healing and deeply intelligent. Their presence is a kind of wealth and I feel rich because of the connections I hold. My biggest motivator lately has been my health. After facing challenges, I’m focused on rebuilding my wellbeing so I can serve others and share my gifts in the way I’m meant to.

What advice would you give for building a career instead of just keeping a job? Know yourself. Reflect on your experiences & pay attention to the signs that guide you. Opportunities & supportive people are everywhere if you’re willing to ask and listen. There’s no single straight path — share your gifts with the world because we all have strengths worth offering.

Your Indigenous recommendation: Song: MATRIARCH by LOV
Business: Oski Market (Norway House Cree Nation)
Métis Business: Jennifer Sedgewick —

05/22/2026

Find your place in a community that celebrates who you are. Culture and connection are deeply valued here. 💙

Through Indigenous-focused programs and resources, you’ll be guided every step of the way—from your first day to graduation.

Explore your options!👇
umanitoba.ca/explore

05/21/2026

Since its early fall beginnings, the Researching in Good Ways project has grown significantly—and the project team is excited to share a message and invitation with you!

"Connections have been built across the University of Manitoba and with Indigenous community members in a range of contexts—from Churchill, Manitoba, to Honolulu, Hawai‘i, to urban Indigenous communities here in Winnipeg.

Across these conversations, we have been met with generosity, openness, and shared learning around the principles and practices that guide researching in good ways.

With the support provided by university leadership, we have been able to remain responsive to community guidance. This has made it possible for us to revisit relationships we have begun to build, and we are looking forward to returning to Churchill later this month.

We remain deeply appreciative of the time, knowledge, and care shared by community members. These teachings are a gift, and carry a responsibility to be honoured with respect and accountability.

A project update will be shared at the Working in Good Ways Symposium on May 28. All are welcome to join!"

Reserve your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/working-in-good-ways-symposium-tickets-1983619643752

05/20/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 Honouring the Indigenous Campus Community recipients! 👏✨💙

2026 marks 10 years of recognizing honourees through a blanketing ceremony. In this milestone year, we are thrilled to recognize a remarkable group of 20 recipients!

We are grateful for the leadership and care each of you brings, and for the lasting impact you continue to make across the University of Manitoba community. 💛

05/14/2026

It’s a pin that symbolizes a promise.

We wear the Moose Hide pin as a visible commitment to standing up against violence toward women, children and 2SLGBTQ+ people.

The Moose Hide Campaign flag has been raised all week at the UM Fort Garry Campus, and today, our community gathered to honour this Indigenous-led movement through song, reflection and a shared commitment to honour, respect and protect.

Thank you to Knowledge Keeper George Muswaggon for sharing a song, and to President and Vice-Chancellor Michael Benarroch and Associate Vice-President (Research and Academics) Todd Duhamel for their remarks and leadership.

05/13/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Kendra Nixon, recipient of the 2026 Migizii Award! 🦅

Nominated by Tammy Nelson [BSW/10, MSW-IK/19, PhD/26], the award honours Dr. Nixon's relational approach to mentorship, a key support for Tammy while she completed her dissertation focusing on culturally responsive healing.

“What inspired me to nominate Dr. Nixon was the way she walked alongside me,” Nelson says. “She never positioned herself above me. She supported me as an Indigenous woman doing work that is connected to who I am.”

The award, a beautifully beaded pin featuring an eagle soaring across a prairie sky, was presented at the 37th Annual Traditional Graduation Pow Wow.

It was crafted by Mariah Hanslip [BSc/26], Red River Métis student who was among the Indigenous graduates celebrated at the Graduation Pow Wow that same day.💙

You can read the full story: https://umtoday.ca/stories/walking-beside-not-ahead

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