Winnipeg, MB - June 21, 2016 - New community members will be joining the Mayor’s Indigenous Advisory Circle Mayor Brian Bowman announced today.
“I am pleased with the success of the Circle as a tool to educate and create awareness about Winnipeg’s rich Indigenous culture and discuss ways to bring our community together,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “I want to thank outgoing members for their work on the Circle, I am grateful for their willingness to contribute personal experiences and knowledge for the betterment of our city.”
The Mayor’s Indigenous Advisory Circle is a group that meets quarterly to advise on policies the City of Winnipeg can implement to continue building awareness, bridges, and understanding between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
Kimberley Puhach will be taking over as Chair replacing outgoing chair, Wab Kinew. Ms. Puhach is a strategic leader with over 25 years’ experience. She spent the greater part of her career in business and has developed expertise in the areas of organizational development, management, sales and marketing.
“I would like to thank outgoing Chair Wab Kinew for his efforts and commitment to the Circle over the last number of months,” said Mayor Bowman. “While Mr. Kinew’s contributions will be missed, the Circle is in good hands with Ms. Puhach as the Chair and I look forward to working together with her.”
New members joining the Circle are:
- Phil Fontaine - President of Ishkonigan, Fontaine Strategic Solutions, Former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations
- Ry Moran - Director, National Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- Lucy Guiboche (Elder) - Metis Elder on Metis Child and Family Services Authority Board (ex officio)
- Chantal Daniels - Owner, Red Cedar Gifts
- Norman Meade (Elder) - University of Manitoba Elder in residence
- Dr. Sherry Peden - Currently with Manitoba Institute of Technology and Trades, Former University College of the North administrator
They will join current members:
- Brian Bowman - Mayor (Ex Officio)
- Councillor Cindy Gilroy - Chair, Citizens Equity Committee
- Councillor Jenny Gerbasi - Secretary for Urban Indigenous Affairs
- Harry Bone - Elder
- Mae Louise Campbell - Elder
- Hon. Senator Murray Sinclair - Former Manitoba Justice, and Commissioner of Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- Dr. Marcia Anderson-Decoteau - Public health physician and assistant professor
- Jessica Dumas - Life coach, Chair, Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce
- EJ Fontaine - President/CEO and founding partners of Anishinabek Consultants Inc.
- Damon Johnston - President, Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg
- Dee Thomas-Hart - Youth Representative, Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce
- Manley A. Begay Jr. - Co-Director of the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
- Cindy Blackstock - Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and Associate Professor, University of Alberta.
- Alan Greyeyes - Aboriginal Music Development Manager for Manitoba Music, Chair, Aboriginal Music Manitoba
- Chief Robert Louie - Chief, Westbank First Nation
- Sean McCormick - CEO and Founder, Manitobah Mukluks
- Kerri Tattuinee - University Student
Hundreds of submissions received through Mayor Bowman’s 1winnipeg.ca website led to the creation of the Mayor’s Indigenous Advisory Circle as a means to create awareness about our city’s rich Indigenous culture, people and heritage.
Over the last year, the Circle played an important advisory role in declaring 2016 the Year of Reconciliation, implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, and collaborating to develop Winnipeg’s Urban Indigenous Accord.