Thursday, February 6, 2025 @ 8:00 am – Friday, February 7, 2025 @ 1:30 pm

AGENDA PROGRAM GUIDE REPORT

The Manitoba Collaborative Indigenous Education Blueprint

Victoria Inn and Convention Centre, Winnipeg
1808 Wellington Ave
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H0G3Canada
View Venue Website

Our third annual Indigenous Education Gathering took place on February 6 & 7 at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre, located at 1808 Wellington Avenue. Again we had a wonderful full house and were sold out within a short time of announcing registration was open.

To those who wanted to join us but couldn’t secure a spot, we understand your disappointment. Please consider emailing [email protected] with your name and details to be added to our contact list and receive updates for future events.

The Gathering is a confluence of Elders, educators, students, community leaders, policy makers, and advocates, invested in fostering important dialogue, exchanging knowledge, and cultivating partnerships centered on Indigenous education.

The 2025 Gathering’s theme was The Fire Within with two very dynamic keynote speakers: Moe Clark and Réal Carrière. We engaged in a ceremony shared by the MCIEB Elders Council which  incorporated many nations and traditions, included 2Spirit perspectives, built community, and created healing. The Indigenous Identity Affirmation Panel was a robust discussion on this critical issue facing post-secondary institutions across Manitoba and Turtle Island. One of the two student panels discussed the similar topics related to Identity and Verification and the other student panel talked about  “Indigenizing” Curriculum.

We had 12 amazing breakout sessions which reflected the strong partnerships between Manitoba’s post-secondary institutions, K-12 educators, industry partners, and Indigenous communities.

We are grateful for an inspiring gathering where educators, students, community patrons, and advocates met to exchange knowledge and cultivate partnerships centered on Indigenous education.  Thank you to all who attended for making this gathering a place of connection and dialogue; thank you to all the outstanding speakers and facilitators for sharing your knowledge; thank you to the volunteers who made this event run smoothly; and our deepest thanks to the Elders who shared their knowledge and guidance and ceremony so generously.


Warmest regards,
The Indigenous Education Gathering Team

Sheila M. North, also known as Wikahsko Iskwew, is a Cree Leader, Policy Advocate, Activist, Journalist, and Author from the Bunibonibee Cree Nation in Treaty 5 Territory. She made history in 2015 by becoming the first woman to serve as the Grand Chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, MKO. Throughout her life, Sheila has been a dedicated activist for the Treaty, Title, Inherent, and Human Rights of First Nations Peoples. Under her leadership, MKO played a significant role in a Landmark Economic Impact Study that revealed Indigenous contributions of approximately $9.3B to Manitoba’s Economy and GDP in one year. Sheila has been a strong advocate for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and she continues to push for the implementation of the 231 Calls To Justice released in the final report of the Inquiry. She has also been instrumental in raising awareness about this issue through the creation of the hashtag #MMIW. Currently, Sheila serves as the Director at the International Commission on Missing Persons [ICMP], where she focuses on Missing Children, Residential Schools, and Engagement. She is dedicated to achieving Accountability, Justice, and Restitution for Missing Children & Unmarked Graves both internationally and in Canada. Sheila is also an award-winning journalist and co-produced a documentary called 1200+, which sheds light on the systemic issues that make Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited people more vulnerable to violence and exploitation. She recognizes that this issue affects all Relatives, which is why she uses the hashtag #MMIR.

Ashley Richard is a proud Ojibway, Métis, and Filipina woman residing in Treaty 1 Territory. Her family roots are from the Richard Family from Pine Creek First Nation, the McLeod Family in Camperville, MB.
Ashley has over 12 years experience working with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in both the private and not for profit sectors. She completed her Masters in Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University. Her background and passion lie in design thinking as well as the teachings from her grandmother, Mary Richard.
Ashley’s current projects include leading two federally funded grant projects with the Asper School of Business (Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub Indigenous Strategy and The 50 – 30 Challenge), the Indigenous Workforce Development Strategy with the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters of Manitoba, and planning the 3rd Annual Reclaiming Our Future: Economic Development Youth Conference 2024 for Norway House Cree Nation.

Mihskakwan James Harper, a proud citizen of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation on Treaty 8 territory, is passionate about creating a world that future generations can enjoy.
While studying engineering at the University of Manitoba, Harper served on the student council for the Engineering Access Program (ENGAP), which supports Indigenous engineering students, and built an energy-efficient car that competed in the International Shell Eco-marathon Americas.
Since graduating, Harper has shared his knowledge about clean energy at international conferences, including the United Nations Climate Conferences COP 26 and COP 27. He credits his innate drive to protect the earth to his cultural values.
Harper further honours his Indigenous identity by giving back. He has lectured on decolonizing engineering, mentored Indigenous youth relocating to Winnipeg for education, and presented a national policy resolution addressing the Indigenous youth suicide crisis.