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In this episode, Philip Fergusson, an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, President of the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute, and Director of the University of Manitoba’s STARlab, joins President Benarroch to discuss his big idea. From co-developing satellites with Arctic communities to designing drone airships for northern connectivity, we explore how responsible innovation, reconciliation, and a focus on local needs can shape a better future for space exploration.
About Philip Fergusson
- Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Price Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba.
- Magellan Aerospace Industrial Research Chair in Satellite Technology.
- President of the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute.
- Director of the University of Manitoba’s STARlab.
- Studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where his PhD focused on astronaut movement during long-duration spaceflight missions.
- His work at STARlab includes building satellites launched from the International Space Station to study asteroids.
- Committed to reconciliation through innovation, advancing space technologies to serve northern, Indigenous, and remote communities, his work directly addresses digital inequity and supports self-determination.
- As a university-based researcher, he is positioned to lead a critical, evidence-informed conversation about sustainable materials and better international regulation for space.
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November 13, 2025 - LIVE EVENT
Economic Reconciliation: A Model for Shared Prosperity
Thursday November 13th, 2025
7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Desautels Concert Hall
A new economic future is taking shape in Canada – one rooted in Indigenous leadership, ownership, and partnership. Across the country, Indigenous nations are driving transformative change: building development corporations, investing in major infrastructure and energy projects, and asserting self-determination through economic strength.
This momentum unfolds against a backdrop of national economic uncertainty. The federal government’s proposed Building Canada Act (Bill C-5) is positioned as a solution, but many Indigenous leaders have raised serious concerns about its implications for rights, jurisdiction, and decision-making.
This live panel brings together visionary Indigenous leaders to explore what true economic Reconciliation demands, not just in principle, but in practice. What does it mean to build an economy that provides space for Indigenous prosperity and how can Manitoba, home to one of the largest populations of First Nations and Metis people, lead the way in shaping a more just and inclusive economic future?
Moderator
Dr. Angie Bruce [MBA/09], Vice-President (Indigenous)
Dr. Angie Bruce is a proud Red River Métis woman from St. Laurent and a nationally respected leader in Indigenous policy and partnership-building. Holding a master’s degree in business administration from UM’s Asper School of Business and a PhD from Nipissing University, she previously served as Assistant Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada’s Nókwewashk sector and has led major initiatives across all levels of government.
Panelists
Previous episodes
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In this timely episode, Dave Angus, President of Johnston Group, former head of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and UM's incoming Chancellor, joins President Benarroch to discuss the big ideas we need now. From smarter regulation to bolder partnerships between business and post-secondary institutions, we explore how risk-taking, research, and rethinking old assumptions could help Canada meet this moment—and thrive beyond it.
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Just as there is a family physician designation in Canada, Dr. Aaron Jattan argues that there should be one for rural doctors, recognizing the extra training and skills needed in this role.
Dr. Peter Nickerson believes we need a distributed education model to train learners across the province. With Winnipeg exceeding its training capacity, rural communities who want physicians need to invest in training them locally.
Expanding training programs is a step in the right direction, but long-term solutions to multi-faceted problems require strategic planning, policy changes, and investment in retention efforts. Tune in to hear how Manitoba is working to address these challenges—and what more can be done.
Dr. Peter Nickerson [BSc(Med)/86, MD/86] Dean and Vice-Provost (Health Sciences) at the University of Manitoba, is a transplant nephrologist at Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg and a medical consultant to the Transplant Immunology Laboratory at Shared Health. He has won numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Society of Transplantation. Dr. Nickerson brings his expertise in health sciences and patient care to the discussion on rural health.
Dr. Aaron Jattan [Medical Resident/17], is the Acting Regional Lead for Clinical Services and Chief Medical Officer for the WRHA, a dedicated family physician with extensive experience in both urban and rural healthcare, and an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba committed to medical education and improving access to care. Dr. Jattan chairs and sits on national committees with the College of Family Physicians of Canada. He completed his residency at the University of Manitoba in the Brandon stream.
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Dr. Chochinov pioneered “dignity therapy” and now he shares his bigger idea on how dignity-centered health care can transform our experiences of end-of-life care and our views on medical assistance in dying (MAID), personhood, family, and much more.
Dr. Harvey Chochinov is the Canada Research Chair in Palliative Care and Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba. He is Senior Scientist at the CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, member of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, and recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award for Academic Innovation from the University of Manitoba. Dr. Chochinov is the co-founder of the Virtual Hospice, the world’s largest repository of information and support for patients, families, and care providers.
He is the author of Dignity Therapy: Final Words for Final Days, winner of the 2011 Prose Award and Dignity in Care: The Human Side of Medicine.
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What is a healthy microbiome? How can we tell if someone's microbiome is unhealthy? How can we predict what illness they're headed towards and what their trajectory looks like? And how do we intervene to improve health outcomes?
As Canada Research Chair in Integrative Bioscience, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine with the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, and a research scientist with the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), Dr. Heather Armstrong investigates the intersection of gut health and chronic diseases. An award-winning scientist and a rising star in her field, Dr. Armstrong aims to unravel the complex interactions between gut microbes, diet, and inflammation to better understand the pathology of these diseases and how they are linked to cancer.
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Amanda Lang is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. With over 25 years covering North America’s top business stories, alum Amanda Lang has appeared on Bloomberg TV, CBC, and now hosts “Taking Stock” on CTV. She’s not only a journalist but a keen observer of politics, leadership, and business who has with deep personal connections to Canada’s political landscape.
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Dr. Feiyue Wang is Canada Research Chair in Arctic Environmental Chemistry and the Lead researcher of the new Churchill Marine Observatory and Sea-Ice Environmental Research Facility. His research provides critical knowledge and tools for improving policies and practices for sustainable development in the Arctic.
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Dr. McArthur is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics. Maclean’s named him one of Canada’s leading thinkers on AI.
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Dr. Azad is a professor of pediatrics and child health and a Canada Research Chair. She holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Developmental Origins of Chronic Disease and her research program is focused on the role of infant nutrition and the microbiome in child growth, development and resilience.
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Dr. Joss Reimer is a two-time UM alum, President-Elect of the Canadian Medical Association, Chief Medical Officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, and she led Manitoba's COVID-19 vaccine implementation task force.
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Dr. Jen Gunter is a UM alum and New York Times best-selling author of the Vagina Bible and the Menopause Manifesto. As a board certified OB/GYN in both Canada and the United States, she is a candid advocate for women and science.
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