UM Indigenous

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 —

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

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

May 5 is Red Dress Day. A day dedicated to honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Across the University of Manitoba, this remembrance lives in many spaces and in many hearts.

You might recognize this mural. This colourful piece stretches through the tunnels of the Duff Roblin building and was painted by Divas Boulanger.

A former UM student and artist, her story reminds us that behind every name is a life that deserves to be remembered.

Stories like hers and many others, are why the CHRR embeds the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice into its work—creating opportunities for learning, collaboration and action across campus.

You can keep the conversation around MMIWG2S+ going:

❤️Read Divas' story: https://umtoday.ca/stories/she-was-student-she-became-statistic
❤️Visit the National National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls website for resources: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/
❤️Attend events hosted by the CHRR: https://chrr.info/event/an-event-in-honour-of-red-dress-day-2026/
❤️ Get involved with research projects in response to the Calls to Justice: https://chrr.info/current-projects-2/calling-for-justice-and-re-imagining-governance/

Honouring Indigenous excellence at the 37th Annual Grad Pow Wow! 🦅
A powerful day filled with pride, culture and community.

Introducing Leo!

This month, we are shining the Indigenous Colleague Connect spotlight on Leo Baskatawang, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law. ✨

Nation/self-declaration: Lac Des Mille Lacs First Nation, Treaty #3 Territory

What brought you to UM? I’ve been part of the UM community since enrolling in my undergrad right out of high school (shout out to Fort Frances High School!). From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt connected. As I grew more educated and rooted in the UM community, I knew I’d return professionally. I love the school, I love the city, and I’m proud to call Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba home.

Favourite part of your position? My favourite part is meeting new people almost daily. Each connection feels like its own roadmap—you never know where it will lead, but it’s usually somewhere worth remembering. I love the energy, diverse perspectives and shared pursuit of social justice.

Colleague shout-out: I need to give a shout out to Marc Kruse, our beloved Director of Indigenous Legal Learning and Services at the Faculty of Law, who is probably the hardest working individual I know. He is not just a good colleague, but a really great friend. His dedication, selflessness and incredibly high standards inspire me and many others.

One thing you wish you knew then and know now: Help is available. I crashed and burned in my first foray into post‑secondary because I thought I had to do everything myself. After I matured and committed to becoming a better student—attending every lecture, taking copious notes, doing homework on time, using available services and most importantly, getting to know my professors—everything turned around. I went from a 'C' student to a straight‑A student. If you want good marks and to succeed, get to know your professors and meet them during office hours.

Your Indigenous recommendation: The book that influenced me most as a young academic was Linda Tuhiwai Smith’s Decolonizing Methodologies. When I finally took the course that used it, the teachings and conversations shaped the foundation of my research principles, which I still apply today.