UM Indigenous Leadership Programming

You may have noticed the name change of this account.

We are excited to share that our Indigenous leadership programming is coming together in one place.

The Bison Spirit and Paskwamostos Wawiyaw Indigenous Leadership Programs are now united under a single account: UM Indigenous Leadership Programming

This new space will bring together updates, opportunities, and stories from across our Indigenous leadership programming at UM.

Please follow us to stay connected.

Photo: Safron Blais [B.A. (Hons.)'26] being interviewed about their experience in the Paskwamostos Wawiyaw Indigenous Leadership Program.

✨Celebrating Indigenous Student Leadership✨

Last night, we gathered to celebrate 46 incredible Indigenous student leaders as they completed a year in the Paskwamostos Wawiyaw and Bison Spirit Indigenous leadership programs.

We were honoured to hear remarks from campus leadership and to enjoy a beautiful performance by Brandi Vezina, accompanied by guitarist Max Dupias.

It was especially meaningful to recognize each student for their growth, accomplishments, and commitment to leadership. We are excited to witness all they will continue to achieve on their leadership journeys.

Thank you to the friends, family, staff, and community members who joined us to celebrate and uplift these leaders. Thank you to the students for showing up and putting in the work. A special thanks to the Pinnacle Club staff for the great service and venue.

Professional photos from the celebration are coming soon!

Last month, Indigenous Circle of Empowerment and Bison Spirt Students hosted the third annual Day in the Life of an Indigenous Student at the UM. In collaboration with Indigenous Student Recruitment, this event welcomed Indigenous high school students to campus for an authentic university experience, centered on Indigenous student perspectives and showing them that they belong at the UM.

Over the course of two days, 41 Indigenous high school students had the opportunity to attend a university lecture, participate in a mini campus tour, and learn from the experiences of students in the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment and Bison Spirit programs. Students also engaged in a sharing circle, giving them space to reflect on their experiences and connect with one another.

A big thank you to the high school students for putting yourselves out there and spending time on campus. Thank you to the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment and Bison Spirit students who volunteered their time to mentor, support, and show the high school students that they belong at the UM.

Our final gathering of the year was a meaningful one. We were honoured to spend time in conversation with Michael Robertson, Chair of the University of Manitoba Board of Governors. Mike shared reflections on leadership, relationships, and community responsibility, emphasizing that everyone’s leadership journey is different and that finding what works for you is key. Thank you Mike for taking the time to inspire the leaders in the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment.

Students also had the opportunity to present their capstone projects. Each group worked as a team to identify a community need, developed a plan to address it, and put their ideas into action. It was inspiring to witness the students’ growth throughout the year and the meaningful impact their work had on community.

Miigwech to all the students for showing up, contributing, and supporting one another through the year.

It was a privilege to welcome Ruth and Bill Shead to the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment last week. Their presentation on Boards and Committees encouraged students to see leadership as service to community. The activity that put students in a decision-making scenario sparked thoughtful discussion and teamwork, giving them an example of board-level decision making. Miigwech to Ruth and Bill for your meaningful and inspiring session.

This week, the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment visited Graffiti Art Programming for a Graffiti Lettering Workshop. We had the opportunity to explore the powerful Red Wash Stand exhibition and had the privilege of hearing from its curator, Clayton Thomas-Müller. Clayton spoke of the meaning behind the exhibit and highlighted the Indigenous artists that contributed to it.

Red Wash Stand exposes the corporate benevolence in Indigenous spaces. The exhibit confronts the growing trend of corporate sponsorship in Indigenous education, arts and culture, exposing it as a strategic tactic to gain social license and mask ongoing destruction and colonial violence.

Miigwech to Clayton for sharing your powerful insights and inspiring deeper reflection.

Yesterday, the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment welcomed Sean Rayland-Boubar, founder of Red Rebel Armour. Sean shared his powerful journey of building an Indigenous streetwear brand rooted in culture and community. Hearing how Red Rebel Armour uplifts community left the students feeling inspired.

On Monday evening, the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment had the privilege of speaking with The Honourable Nahanni Fontaine, Minister of Families. Minister Fontaine shared stories and teachings on leadership and advocacy, and filled the room with wisdom, laughter, and powerful reminders of what Indigenous leadership looks like.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Minister Fontaine for uplifting and inspiring the leaders in the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment.

This week in the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment, we had the honour of welcoming Elder Debra Beach Ducharme, Director of Indigenous Health Integration at Ongomiizwin – Education, for a powerful identity workshop. Through the paper bag teaching, we were invited to reflect deeply on how identity is shaped, both by the messages placed on us by the world and the truths we carry within. As Indigenous student leaders, this teaching reminded us that our identity is not defined by external labels, but by our spirit, our stories, and our connection to community. Elders are medicine, and the space Elder Debra created allowed us to reconnect with ourselves in a meaningful and grounded way.

This workshop reinforced that identity is our strength. We learned that who we are is shaped not only by our experiences, but also by those around us, by the people who uplift us, believe in us, and reflect our value back to us. The Indigenous Circle of Empowerment continues to be a space where Indigenous students can grow as leaders while staying rooted in culture, teachings, and community. Programs like ICE remind us that leadership begins from within, and that when Indigenous students are supported in embracing their full identity, they become powerful agents of change in their families, communities, and beyond.

Partake in an opportunity in a targeted way with talented students who would be interested in developing and presenting their breakthrough ideas that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Falling Walls Lab is a globally recognized pitch competition and innovation platform originating in Berlin. It provides early-career researchers, innovators, and academics with the opportunity to present breakthrough ideas that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Participants deliver a three-minute pitch, showcasing research, innovation, or social impact projects across disciplines.

This year, they are intentionally scaling the Manitoba edition to reflect a truly provincial collaboration. Alongside the University of Manitoba, they have partnered with the University of Winnipeg, with Brandon University and Université de Saint-Boniface also expressing strong interest in participating. their objective is to build an inclusive, Manitoba-wide platform that elevates diverse voices and knowledge systems.

they are particularly keen to see Indigenous researchers represented in this year’s Lab. The Berlin program welcomes ideas across a wide range of themes, including but not limited to:
Health and Well-Being
Climate, Environment, and Sustainability
Energy and Clean Technologies
Agriculture, Food Systems, and Water
Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
Education, Knowledge Systems, and Social Innovation
Equity, Community Development, and Cultural Resilience
Eligibility for Falling Walls Lab is intentionally broad and inclusive.

Applicants may include:
Undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at a recognized institution
Postdoctoral researchers and early-career researchers (typically within 10 years of their highest degree)
Innovators and entrepreneurs, including those with start-ups or applied research initiatives (generally founded within the past five years)

The application is open until March 15.

Poonam Chopra (she/her)
Marketing and Events Coordinator with IDEA START
www.umanitoba.ca/ideastart
[email protected]
204.291.4424