L’offis Wiichihihwahk – Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous)

Christine is a proud Red River Métis woman. She grew up in the north end of Winnipeg in a large family. Christine overcame the obstacles of poverty by focusing on education. As a single mother, she finished high school with honours then graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts (major in Native Studies and a minor in Chemistry).

She has worked at the University of Manitoba for 23 years. In her most current role – Associate Vice-President (Indigenous), she is responsible for students, community, and cultural integration. She is actively involved in strategic planning, cultural education, and advocating for the disruption of anti-Indigenous racism.

Some of the community work Christine has done includes volunteering with several Boards and committees, sitting as Chair of the United Way of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Relations Council, member of United Way’s Board of Trustees, Chair of the Circle on Aboriginal People and Philanthropy’s 3rd Annual All My Relations Gathering, and Vice-Chair of Career Trek.

In 2014, Christine received the Future Leaders of Manitoba Award as well as the Service Award from the University of Manitoba for her outstanding work in the field of Indigenous education and for her commitment to the community.

In 2015, Christine was one of only nine Manitoban's selected to attend the Governor General’s Leadership Conference and spent 16 days travelling across Canada learning about governance, economies, cultures, businesses and other sectors.

Christine is a traditional woman who attends, participates in, and leads ceremonies. She lives in Winnipeg surrounded by her husband, four children and eight grandchildren.

She currently co-leads project work in creating a supportive environment for Indigenous students, faculty, staff, and guests including the creation of an anti-Indigenous racism policy, recognizing and compensating the contributions of Indigenous staff and faculty, and the recruitment and retention of Indigenous staff, faculty, and students.

As someone who is dedicated to amplifying and strengthening the Indigenous community at UM, Cyr has developed and led programs like the Post-Secondary Club that advance the recruitment of Indigenous high school students in Manitoba. She also co-created the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment (ICE) leadership program, and established the Métis Working Group and the new position of Métis Inclusion Coordinator.

An accomplished mentor and leader, Cyr received the Future Leaders of Manitoba Award in 2013 and the Service Award from UM in 2014. Her volunteer work has included sitting as Chair of the United Way of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Relations Council, member of United Way’s Board of Trustees, Chair of the Circle on Aboriginal People and Philanthropy’s 3rd Annual All My Relations Gathering, and Vice-Chair of Career Trek.

Christine is active on the Red Road - attending, participating in, and leading ceremonies.

Dr. Todd Duhamel was born and raised in Atikokan, Ontario. He is a Red River Métis citizen with family roots in Ste. Anne, Manitoba. He joined the University of Manitoba in 2006 and has dedicated his career to advancing research about how physical activity promotes health, with a focus to help people with cardiovascular disease risk.

Dr. Duhamel serves as Associate Vice-President (Indigenous) Research and Academic at the University of Manitoba. He is also a Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management and a researcher at St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre.

Guided by the values of respect, reciprocity, and humility, Dr. Duhamel works to create environments where Indigenous peoples, knowledges, and ways of learning are valued and supported. His work focuses on strengthening Indigenous research, supporting Indigenous students and scholars, and fostering respectful partnerships between universities and Indigenous communities.

Ruth Shead, a member of Peguis First Nation of Cree and mixed settler ancestry, is committed to systemic change in education and communications. 

In 2024, she was seconded to the Government of Manitoba as Director of Ministerial Affairs for Advanced Education and Training, advancing Indigenous priorities in post-secondary education. Ruth is passionate about storytelling and community. 

Before joining UM in 2014, she produced and directed CBC Radio programs including ReVision Quest, Unreserved, and Information Radio, co-created Learning English with CBC Manitoba, and contributed to national Indigenous recruitment efforts. She also served as President of Manitoba Music’s Board and was a founding advisory member of Circles for Reconciliation. She currently serves on the Winnipeg Folk Festival Board of Directors.

Máire is a settler from the north of Ireland, having emigrated as an infant with her parents to Thompson (Treaty 5) and then eventually to Winnipeg (Treaty 1). Her position with L’offis Wiichihihwawk is as the Strategic Initiatives Project Manager, where she works across UM to move L’offis Wiichihihwawk’s priorities from planning to implementation. Her role includes managing projects, bringing partners together, and ensuring work stays aligned, organized, and on track.

Máire has an undergraduate degree in Human Ecology and a Master’s degree in Natural Resources Management, both from the University of Manitoba. Her graduate research focused on developing capacity for pro-environmental behaviours in Manali, India.

Kristen Hudym is a settler of Polish, Scottish, and Scandinavian decent, born on Treaty 2 territory, now residing on Treaty 1 land. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration with Great Distinction from the University of Regina and holds her Chartered Professional Accountant designation.

Prior to her role at the University of Manitoba, Kristen was contracted as the Senior Accountant for the Kahkewistahâw Economic Management Corporation, which develops economic opportunity on behalf of Kahkewistahâw First Nation. While contracting with Kahkewistahâw, she simultaneously held the role of Manager of Support Services at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in her hometown, Estevan, Saskatchewan. Kristen started off her career in audit and has worked as both an External Auditor with KPMG in Calgary, and as an Internal Auditor with Viterra in Regina.

In her spare time, Kristen enjoys painting, travelling, and spending time with her boyfriend, Ryan, and their Pomeranian, Beanie.

Karla grew up in Northern Manitoba and is a member of Sagkeeng First Nation. She has family roots in Wasagamack and Sagkeeng First Nation.

With over 15 years’ experience in professional office executive/administrative assistant positions. Karla takes pride in providing the best service and support, she approaches all aspects of any job with a positive, hardworking mindset, and is passionate about helping find solutions to any challenges. Prior to joining the Office of Vice-President Indigenous, Karla worked at Ongomiizwin, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.

Danielle Lang, Executive Assistant to Dr. Todd Duhamel and Christine Cyr, is a White Settler of French European descent who grew up in La Salle, Manitoba but has spent the majority of her adult life in Fort Richmond. 

Danielle attended the University of Winnipeg and graduated from Herzing Career College with a Medical Secretary/Transcriptionist diploma. She most recently has worked as the executive assistant to the Department Head, Department of Pediatrics, at the Bannatyne Campus. Danielle and her husband Louis have two small dogs (Larry and Bella) and three adult children. In her spare time Danielle has a passion for puzzling, reading, spending time at her cabin where she and Louis enjoy exploring nature and foraging for raspberries, blueberries and mushrooms!