Please note that these listings are a work in progress. Check back often as we continue to update and expand this page.
Executive
A New Zealander of Ngati Hei and Pakeha descent who is now the University’s Vice-Provost (Academic Planning & Programs), and previous Dean of Pharmacy. His research interests include the influence of human behaviour on the delivery of pharmaceutical and related health-care services, measurement issues in social and behavioural research, and health outcomes evaluation.
Deborah Young was appointed in July as the university’s Executive Lead for Indigenous Achievement.
Ms. Young is a graduate of the University of Manitoba, with a master’s of social work in policy, administration and evaluation and a bachelor of social work. She also has an undergraduate degree from the University of Winnipeg.
After six years as a policy advisor at the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, she joined the public service of Canada in 1997, where she has worked on a number of important policies and programs relating to First Nations, Metis and Inuit issues. She worked at the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat, Privy Council Office, where she focused extensively on the First Nation education component of the Kelowna Accord. She also served as policy advisor to two federal cabinet ministers. For the past four years, Deborah has been the senior advisor at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, where she was actively involved in planning of the prime minister’s historic apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools.
Deborah was born and raised in Winnipeg and is a member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba.
Aboriginal Student Centre
Kali Storm is the Anishinaabe (Metis) Director of the Aboriginal Student Centre who has been one of the driving forces behind expansion of support services for Aboriginal students. She works closely with Elders in a welcoming space she helped design and is part of a committee exploring construction of a new Aboriginal Research Centre building.
Florence Paynter (Anishinaabe) is one of the Elders-in-Residence at the University of Manitoba’s Aboriginal Student Centre where she is available for cultural guidance. She works at the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre as a Re-search & Development Coordinator. She has also been a member of the Reconnecting with the Land program for Aboriginal youth, led by the Fur Institute of Canada and the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre, and is an Editorial Advisory Board member of First Nations Perspectives: The Journal of MFNERC.
Garry Robson (Anishinaabe), an Ojibway from the Peguis First Nation, has been an Aboriginal Awareness Consultant with the Aboriginal Education Directorate for the past 28 years. A member of the Turtle Clan, Garry presents and provides teachings on traditional culture and history to schools, teachers, administra-tors, parents, community agencies and government departments within the province of Manitoba. Garry is also a poet and storyteller, who speaks about stories of the traditional life of his people as well as the Clan System, Prophecies, 7 Stages of Life and Cradle Board to name a few. Garry Robson is one of the Elders in Residence at the Aboriginal Student Centre and also the spiritual advisor for the Elders Gathering planning committee.
Carl Stone - Student Advisor
Access Programs
Brenda Lee Lafreniere, Anishanaabe/Cree/Metis, Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Currently a counselor at Access/HCAP, previous Interim Director. Brenda has 25 years’ experience specializing in administration, holistic counseling/therapy, health, education and aboriginal culture. In addition, she sits on various committees to create awareness and respect for the aboriginal culture.
Audrey Richard: Academic Counselor, Access Programs
Asper School of Business
Peter Pomart is the Program Coordinator for Aboriginal Business Education Partners (ABEP) at the Asper School of Business. He grew up in Winnipeg and traces his family roots to Pukatawagan, Manitoba. Peter is passionate about encouraging Aboriginal youth to complete high school and to pursue post-secondary education. He is currently taking his MBA on a part-time basis.
Community Health Sciences
Margaret Lavallee of Sagkeeng First Nation is the Elder-in-Residence for the Centre for Aboriginal Health Education. She provides cultural oversight for the centre and directs its cultural events. Her primary role is to be a support and resource for Aboriginal students in the health professions, and she maintains regular office hours for drop-in or scheduled appointments.
Engineering
Kirk Dyson: Facilities Co-ordinator, Faculty of Engineering
Randy Herrmann, P.Eng., is the director of the Engineering Access Program (ENGAP) at the University of Manitoba. He graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1988 with a BSc in geological engineering. He is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba and the Professional Engineers of Ontario, as well as the Manitoba Métis Federation.
Enrolment Services
Christine Cyr has been coordinating enrolment services Aboriginal student recruitment efforts for the last 11 years. A proud Cree/Metis alumnus of the U of M, Cyr works with many groups both on and off campus to encourage empowerment for Aboriginal people through education. She volunteers her time with several boards and committees, including acting as chair of the United Way of Winnipeg’s Aboriginal Relations Council. Ms. Cyr is a traditional woman who attends cultural ceremonies and delivers cultural awareness workshops, and she is passionate about working in and for her community.
Jen Storm is Anishinaabe from the Couchiching First Nation in northwestern Ontario. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Native Studies from the University of Manitoba and she is now the rural Aboriginal Student Recruitment Officer for the University. Storm completed her first novel, Deadly Loyalties, at the age of fourteen and was the “personal achievement” recipient of the Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award in 2006. She worked as a Truth and Reconciliation Commission statement gatherer during the first national event in Winnipeg and continues to work and travel to the communities promoting dreams and post-secondary education to youth.
Extended Education
Marnie Jonatschick: Program Administrator, Aboriginal Focus Programs
Dr. Robert-Falcon Ouellette (Cree-Metis-Franco-British)
Dr. Falcon is currently the proud Program Director for the Aboriginal Focus Programs (University of Manitoba). He possesses degrees in music, education and anthropology. He works on issues related to university entrance programs, Indian Residential Schools, the military and music.
The title of his PhD research is Evaluating Aboriginal Curricula using a Cree-Métis Perspective with a regard towards Indigenous knowledge. Dr. Falcon also have extensive experience in administration earned with the military through 15 years of service in various units from combat, medical and even musical military organizations. He retired from the military as the Sgt. at Arms of the 5th Field Ambulance based in Valcartier, Quebec.
Dr. Falcon has been a professional musician, who was solo euphonium for the Royal 22nd Regiment for several years. For the past 5 years he has been working with La Fanfarniente della Strada Gypsy Band based in Quebec City. One of his greatest personal experiences was playing with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra on live radio. Dr. Falcon is Neyieho from Saskatchewan, but was raised in Calgary, Alberta. He is married and has 4 windigos/children. www.umanitoba.ca/extended/afp
Student Counselling and Career Centre
Dr. Kathryn Ritchot, C. Psych. is a Metis clinical psychologist who gained professional registration in the province of Manitoba in 2006. She works as a Therapist/Counselor/Clinical Supervisor/Assistant Professor at the Student Counselling and Career Centre and works at Migizi Agamik (Bald Eagle Lodge) one day a week. She takes great interest in working with individuals and groups to focus on their strengths, while they address their personal and educational challenges. Dr. Ritchot believes that the therapeutic relationship can be a tremendous resource to overcome such challenges as depression; anxiety; low self-esteem; interpersonal trauma; and concerns about identity, careers, relationships and communication. Most recently, she has begun to work with intergenerational survivors of the IRS. Kathryn’s emphasis is on gaining self-knowledge, self-appreciation and empowerment.
University 1
Carla Loewen is a member of the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation who works as an academic advisor for the flexible first-year undergraduate program known as University 1. She works closely with the Aboriginal Student Centre and is the creator of PACT: Promoting Aboriginal Community Together, an Aboriginal student mentorship program at the university. Ms. Loewen is also working on her master’s degree in adult and post-secondary education, with a focus on Aboriginal student success. She began her studies at the U of M in 1996 and began working at University 1 in 2005.