Honouring the Indigenous Campus Community
The Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous) is honoured to celebrate the strength, knowledge and contributions that Indigenous community members bring to the University of Manitoba. In 2026, we mark the tenth year of this community-led tradition. You are invited to nominate individuals whose actions support, inspire and strengthen our campus community as nominations for the 10th HICC are now open.
Overview Nomination categories Prepare your nomination Submit your nomination Contact us
Honouring 10 stories at a blanketing ceremony
At this year’s ceremony, 10 individuals representing the diversity of the Indigenous campus community will be honoured:
- up to six (6) students
- two (2) staff members
- one (1) faculty member
- one (1) legacy honouree
We recognize that inspiration takes many forms, and every story is unique. When reviewing submissions, we take a holistic approach that honours a person’s gifts, contributions and impact.
This is not about checking boxes or assigning scores. It is about celebrating the meaningful ways Indigenous people in our campus community are making a difference.
The 2026 honourees will be celebrated at the Honouring the Indigenous Campus Community recognition ceremony in June 2026.
Recognition categories
HICC honours members of our Indigenous campus community across four categories: Students, Faculty, Staff, and Legacy. Explore each category to learn how to nominate someone.
Indigenous Students (Eligibility & Details)
Up to six (6) students will receive this recognition. Students must be enrolled at the University of Manitoba at the time of their nomination.
Undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 18 credit hours over fall and winter term, while graduate students must be active in their studies. If a student withdraws before the blanketing ceremony in June 2025 ceremony, they will no longer be eligible. If a student is also a faculty or staff member, the person submitting the nomination can decide which category they would like to apply.
Student recipients will also receive $250.00 and acknowledgment on their Experience Record.
Indigenous Faculty (Eligibility & Details)
One faculty member will receive this recognition. The faculty member must have been employed by the University of Manitoba for at least one year at the time of nomination and continue their employment until recognition (June 2026). In the Faculty category, any self-declared Indigenous University of Manitoba employee in the following positions (UMFA positions) can be nominated:
• Professors • Associate Professors • Assistant Professors • Full-Time Lecturers • Senior Instructors • Instructors II | • Instructors I • Librarians • Associate Librarians • Assistant Librarians • General Librarians |
Indigenous Staff Members (Eligibility & Details)
In the staff category, a self-declared Indigenous University of Manitoba employee who does not fall into the Faculty category can be nominated.
Up to two Indigenous staff members can be honoured: one to a staff member who has served at least one year, but fewer than 10 years, and one with 10 or more years of service. A staff member must be employed by the University of Manitoba at the time of nomination and recognition (June 2025).
Elders and Knowledge Keepers are eligible to be nominated in either Faculty or Staff categories.
Indigenous Legacy (Eligibility & Details)
The Legacy category is for any former self-declared Indigenous University of Manitoba Faculty, staff member, or alumni, who has made a positive impact on the campus community and is worthy of recognition. This individual must have been employed by the University of Manitoba for at least five years.
The honouree cannot be employed by the University of Manitoba at the time of nomination and recognition (June 2025).
Nominate someone who inspires you!
How to nominate someone
Use the guidelines below to share the name and story of someone who inspires you. You’ll need their permission, a short letter about their impact, and, if you wish, up to two letters of support.
There are many ways we inspire one another. We want to hear stories of individuals from the Indigenous Campus Community and celebrate their incredible contributions!
What makes an inspiring nominee?
Do you know someone who has made a meaningful impact on campus, demonstrated strength and leadership, or is doing amazing things in the community?
Here’s your chance to share their story and how they are making a difference! Here are some ways someone might be inspiring – but remember, they don’t need to be everything to everyone – these are just examples to spark ideas:
- Serves as a role model or mentor and demonstrates integrity and respect
- Achieves personal growth or success in any area (life, academics, sports, work—you name it!)
- Fosters a sense of belonging for Indigenous students, staff, faculty, alumni, or guests
- Breaks down barriers and creates pathways for others
- Builds bridges with Indigenous communities, groups, and organizations
- Promotes positive learning environments
- Encourages a deeper understanding of Indigenous knowledge, cultures, and traditions
- Strengthens relationships and community
- Demonstrates courage or leadership
- Creates spaces where Indigenous students, staff and faculty thrive
- Goes above and beyond to advance Indigenous engagement at UM
- Supports or leads Indigenous teaching, research and scholarship
Steps to submit a nomination
Step 1: Get Permission
- Contact the person who you would like to nominate to get their permission (individuals may only be nominated once per year).
- Only those who have not previously received this recognition are eligible. View the full list of past honourees
Step 2: Prepare the Submission
- Download and fill out the submission form PDF (linked)
- Prepare a letter (up to 2 pages) that includes:
- An Indigenous connection statement helps selection committee to understand the nominee’s kinship ties and responsibilities to their nation (which might include family lines, community relationships, connections to place, citizenship, etc.
- Sharing the person's story and impact on the UM campus community. Be specific and provide examples. If a person is a part of a program or group, provide clear examples of their contributions.
- Collect Support Letters (Optional)
- You may attach up to two one-page support letters from staff, faculty, students or community members.
- These letters offer an opportunity to show the contribution of the individual from different perspectives.
- The impact of the letter is not weighed by the status of the individual providing the letter, but their ability to speak about the contributions the Indigenous campus community member has made.
Step 3: Make the Submission
- Email the completed HICC 2026 submission form, letter, and up to two letters of support to indigenous.engagement@umanitoba.ca before March 13, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
The selection committee will only review information included in the package. Please ensure all the details are complete.
Celebrating past honourees
To honour our history and the many community members who have shaped this recognition over the years, we have gathered the past honourees and their categories. These stories reflect the enduring strength, leadership and contributions of Indigenous students, staff, faculty and Elders across our campus.
2025 Honourees
2025 Award Recipients:
| Name | Category | Dept./Faculty/Unit | Nation |
Jory Thomas | Student | Faculty of Architecture | Red River Metis |
Antonina Kandiurin | Student | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | York Factory FN |
Michaela De Hoop | Student | Faculty of Science | |
Aimee Mihkokwaniy McGillis | Student | Faculty of Arts | Red River Metis, Nehiyaw, Anishnaabe |
Sunday Queskekapow | Student | Faculty of Arts | Swampy Cree - Ohpáskowayáhk |
Pahan PteSanWin | Student | Faculty of Arts | Red River Metis |
Desiree Morrisseau-Keesick | Staff (<10 years) | Indigenous Student Recruitment / OVPI | Anishinaabe - Grassy Narrows |
Justin Rasmussen | Staff (>10 years) | Indigenous Leadership Programming / OVPI | Red River Metis - Ile Des Chênes |
Rhonda Campbell | Faculty | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | |
Kirsty Muller | Legacy | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | Ojibwe - Hollow Water First Nation |
2024 Honourees
2024 Award Recipients:
| Name | Category | Dept. | Nation |
Brad Albert | Student | Faculty of Science | Swampy Cree - Kinosao Sipi / Norway House |
Elora Cromarty | Student | Faculty of Arts | Norway House |
Monica Cyr | Student | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | |
Charlene Hallett | Student | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | |
Lauren Hallett | Student | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | Red River Metis |
Kiana Tait | Student | Max Rady College of Medicine | Swampy cree - Norway House |
Elder Charlotte Nolin | Staff | Ongomiizwin Institute of Health and Healing | Red River Metis |
Marla Robson | Staff | College of Nursing | Anishinaabe, Ininew - Peguis First Nation |
Dr. Lisa Monkman | Faculty | Max Rady College of Medicine | Ojibway - Lake Manitoba First Nation |
Ken Paupanekis | Legacy | Facutly of Arts - Department of Indigenous Studies | Cree |
2023 Honourees
2023 Award Recipients:
| Name | Category | Dept./Faculty/Unit | Nation |
Darlene Keeper | Student | Faculty of Social Work | Little Grand Rapids |
Ishkode Catcheway | Student | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | Anishinaabe - Minegoziibe/Pine Creek |
Jordan Cantafio | Student | Faculty of Architecture | Metis |
Lydia Gork | Student | Faculty of Arts | Red River Metis |
Winter Traverse | Student | College of Nursing | Anishinaabe, Metis - Pinaymootang |
Elder Carl Stone | Staff (>10 years) | Indigenous Student Centre | Brokenhead Ojibway Nation |
Vanessa Lillie | Staff (>10 years) | OVPI | Cree, Métis - St. Peter’s/Peguis |
Christine Cyr | Staff (<10years) | OVPI | Red River Metis |
Dr. Sarah Goulet | Faculty | Max Rady College of Medicine | Red River Metis |
Shawn Bailey | Faculty | Faculty of Architecture | Metis - Ontario |
2021–2022 Indigenous Awards of Excellence
Before the Honouring the Indigenous Campus Community (HICC) recognition was introduced in 2023, the Indigenous Awards of Excellence recognized students, staff and faculty whose work strengthened Indigenous presence and leadership at UM.
2021 Indigenous Awards of Excellence Recipients:
| Name | Category | Dept./Faculty/Unit | Nation |
Kayla Lariviere | Student | Faculty of Law | |
Jenny Moose | Student | Asper School of Business | |
Kaitlin Fosseneauve | Student | Faculty of Education | |
Dylan Kensick | Student | Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources | Anishinaabee - Sagkeeng |
Jesse McGreggor | Student | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | |
Alexandra Philipott | Student | Faculty of Law | |
Laura Forsythe | Staff | Indigenous Student centre | Metis |
Dr. Moneca Sinclaire | Staff | College of Nursing | Nehinan/Cree |
Dr. Kyle Bobiwash | Faculty (<10 years) | Faculty of Agriculture and Food science | |
Elder Margaret Lavallee | Faculty (>10 years) | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | Anishinaabe - Sagkeeng |
2022 Indigenous Awards of Excellence Recipients:
| Name | Category | Dept./Faculty/Unit | Nation |
Charisma Castel | Student | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | Mathias Colomb cree Nation |
Sydney Levasseur-Puhach | Student | Faculty of Arts | Anishinaabe Sandy Bay |
Trechelle Bunn | Student | Faculty of Arts | Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation |
Adam Kowal | Student | Faculty of Law | |
Kathleen McKenzie | Student | Faculty of Arts | |
Zoe Quill | Student | Faculty of Science | |
Marc Kruse | Staff | Faculty of Law | |
Melody Muswaggon | Staff | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | |
Dr. Melanie Morris | Faculty | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | Metis |
Dr. Mandy Buss | Faculty | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | Metis |
2017–2020 Indigenous Awards of Excellence
Before the Honouring the Indigenous Campus Community (HICC) recognition was introduced in 2023, the Indigenous Awards of Excellence recognized students, staff and faculty whose work strengthened Indigenous presence and leadership at UM.
2017 Indigenous Awards of Excellence Award Recipients:
| Name | Category | Dept./Faculty/Unit | Nation |
Taylor Morriseau | Student | Faculty of Science | Cree - Peguis First Nation |
Haylea Clyne | Student | College of Nursing | Ojibway - Brokenhead |
Amanda Fontes | Student | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | Metis |
2018 Indigenous Awards of Excellence Award Recipients:
| Name | Category | Dept./Faculty/Unit | Nation |
Amanda Fredlund | Student | Faculty of Arts | |
Kristen Pot | Student | College of Nursing | |
Bobby McNair | Student | Faculty of Science | Metis |
Noah Wilson | Student | Faculty of Arts | |
Alannah McKay | Student | Faculty of Arts | |
Carly McLellan | Student | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | |
Dr. Barry Lavallee | Faculty | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | |
Dr. Wanda Wuttunee | Faculty | Faculty of Arts | |
Peter Pomart | Staff | Asper School of Business | |
Linda Diffey | Staff | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences |
2019 Indigenous Awards of Excellence Award Recipients:
| Name | Category | Dept./Faculty/Unit | Nation |
Aura Lavallée | Student | Faculty of Social Work | |
Ashley Hayward | Student | Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management | |
Teassa MacMartin | Student | Faculty of Science | |
Chantelle Chartier | Student | College of Nursing | |
Gillian McIvor | Student | Faculty of Science | |
Lauressa Garson | Student | College of Nursing | |
Dr. Emma LaRocque | Faculty (<10 years) | Faculty of Arts | |
Noreen Wichart | Faculty (>10 years) | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | |
Audrey Richard | Staff | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | |
Carla Loewen | Staff | Indigenous Student Centre |
2020 Indigenous Awards of Excellence Award Recipients:
| Name | Category | Dept./Faculty/Unit | Nation |
Taylor Galvin | Student | Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources | Anishinaabe - Brokenhead |
Mackenzie Anderson | Student | School of Art | Anishinaabe / Ithinu - Pinaymootang |
Amanda Fowler-Woods | Student | Faculty of Arts | Anishinaabe - Couchiching |
Iloradanon Efimoff | Student | Faculty of Arts | Haida/European Settler |
River Steele | Student | College of Nursing | Anishinaabe - Nehiyaw |
Reanna Merasty | Student | Faculty of Architecture | Woodlands Cree - Kisipakakamak |
Debra Beach-Ducharme | Staff | Indigenous health integration Ongomiizwin | Anishinaabe - Lake Manitoba |
Debra DiUbaldo | Staff | Inner City Social Work Program | Red River Metis |
Melinda Fowler | Faculty (<10 years) | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | Métis / Mi'kmaq |
Brenda Lafreniere | Faculty (>10years) | Indigenous student centre | Métis /Cree/Ojibway - Camperville |
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