Our team

Desiree Morrisseau-Keesick (she/her) is an Anishinaabe woman and a member of Grassy Narrows First Nation in Treaty 3. She was born and raised in Winnipeg’s North End and has maternal ties to Crane River, MB. Desiree has been with the University of Manitoba for seven years, previously as Lead for the Indigenous Student Recruitment team and then as a Student Advisor with the Indigenous Student Centre. Desiree has always had a love for being a community helper. Her passion for cultural and community based programming was intensified after running the Indigenous Post-Secondary Club for six years. Desiree looks forward to expanding the work of ISRCR and ensuring Indigenous students and their families feel supported as they navigate their journey through post-secondary.

Taylor is of mixed ancestry, her paternal family’s Métis roots in Deerhorn, St Laurent and Lundar while her maternal grandparents immigrated from former Yugoslavia. Taylor was born and raised in North Winnipeg on Treaty 1 territory. She graduated with her Bachelor of Kinesiology in 2022 and is passionate about her work supporting Indigenous students find success at the UM.

Tanisha Clarke is a member of the Norway House Cree Nation in Treaty 5 territory. She spent most of her life living in Norway House and relocated to Winnipeg in 2017 to attend school at the UM. Tanisha is a UM alumni, graduating in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Native Studies. Having experienced the transition of moving from a reserve to the city to attend university, Tanisha is passionate about helping students make the same transition. She looks forward to working with all Indigenous students coming to UM and ensuring that Indigenous students who are relocating from their home communities are supported as they begin their journey in post-secondary.

Jesse McGregor (he/him) is a member of the Misipawistik Cree Nation (Grand Rapids, Manitoba), with close ties to the Kinisao Sipi Cree Nation (Norway House, Manitoba), located in Treaty 5 territory. In 2022, Jesse graduated with a Bachelor of Health Sciences from UM. Through his experiences of living both on-reserve and in urban settings, Jesse developed a passion for helping Indigenous youth and communities. In his role as program coordinator at the UM, Jesse hopes to work with and learn from Indigenous youth – walking together as aspiring students transition from high school to post-secondary. 

Carla is a proud member of the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation and an alumna of the UM [BEd/01, BA/03, MEd/16]. Her master’s degree was in adult & post-secondary education with a thesis project about student retention and student development theory in relation to peer mentoring for Indigenous students and its connection to first-year student success. She has been working at the UM since 2005, first as an academic advisor with the University 1 First Year Centre and then the Indigenous Student Centre to be one of the student advising team and oversee the Qualico Bridge to Success program. Passionate about the power of peer mentoring, Carla believes that students who feel they are part of the Indigenous campus community and get involved on campus is key to having a rewarding university experience and her goal is to encourage students to do what they need to do have the university experience they want. Carla has made many connections with students, faculty and staff through programming. She is considered a formidable leader and a trusted colleague who works with integrity and humility. 

Denise Proulx is Métis from Winnipeg and is a proud first-generation alumna of the University of Manitoba, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Psychology. Denise is responsible for the development and implementation of the Blankstein Momentum Program and has successfully completed the Letter of Accomplishment in Academic Advising. She is a graduate of the University of Manitoba Leaders Learning Program, has completed the Prosper Canada Financial Literacy Facilitator Training and is certified by SEED Winnipeg Inc. as a Money Management Trainer. Denise is passionate about providing opportunities that aim to support Indigenous student success and is an advocate for celebrating achievements.

Justin Rasmussen (he/him/his) is Métis from Ile Des Chênes, Manitoba. Justin is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg (B.Sc.), University of Manitoba (B.Sc. 4-year Major; M.Sc.), and the University of Canterbury (New Zealand; Ph.D.) in the field of Biological Sciences. Justin is the recipient of the University of Manitoba Leadership Award, the Migizii Award, and is an alumnus of the University of Manitoba Leaders Learning Program and the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference (2017). Justin is currently serving as the Chair of the Indigenous Student Affairs Network (ISAN) with ACPA College Student Educators International. Justin serves students at the University of Manitoba as a student advisor and by creating outstanding opportunities for leadership development as the coordinator of the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment (ICE) student leadership development program.

Bailey (she/her/hers) is Métis/Scottish and was born and raised in rural Treaty 1 territory. She is a first-generation UM alum [BHEcol/20] and enjoys spending her off time bird watching and beading. As someone with experience in mental health and peer-to-peer programming, Bailey is passionate about supporting, uplifting and empowering students to reach their goals and aspirations using a holistic and strengths-based lens. She believes in the importance of belonging and how a sense of relation to one’s community can improve well-being. Driven by this in her work, she hopes to provide a space and the opportunity for Indigenous students to feel welcome and connected to the UM Indigenous community through her role as an advisor and the coordinator for the Qualico Bridge to Success Program and the Neechiwaken Indigenous Peer Mentor Program.

Ruth Shead is a member of Peguis First Nation and is honoured to be named after her grandma Ruth, a Residential School Survivor who, despite not receiving an education herself, instilled the value of lifelong learning into her family. Ruth began working as the coordinator of Indigenous Achievement at UM in 2014. She is passionate about advancing the university’s commitments to Indigenous students and communities, sharing Indigenous knowledge(s) and research and celebrating First Nations, Métis and Inuit successes.

Grace Redhead is registered with Shamattawa First Nation in northern Manitoba, raised in Alberta and BC. Grace graduated from the University of Winnipeg where her studies focused on residential school history. Prior to joining Indigenous Engagement, Grace worked at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Grace lives in Winnipeg with her partner and their two children, Tecumseh and Kateri.

Jenny Trenchard is a settler born in Robinson-Superior Treaty territory, now living on Treaty 1 land. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Education from the University of Winnipeg, and has committed her career to making healthier learning spaces for students. She is a supporter of BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ activism. Currently, she is focused on increasing her knowledge of ongoing processes of settler colonialism and anti-racist informed approaches within universities. She is honoured to have joined the Office of Indigenous Engagement and Communications in 2021.

Meaghen Fillion is Métis from St. Jean Baptiste, Manitoba. She is an alum of the UM having earned a Bachelor of Recreation Management & Community Development in 2015. Meaghen has a passion for creating and loves being able to use that creativity in her role. She is passionate about empowering Indigenous students and communities by sharing stories and celebrating their achievements.  

Chelsey Hill grew up in Winnipeg, MB with treaty ties to Peguis First Nation, MB and also affiliated with a reserve in BC called Lil' Wat First Nation. Chelsey graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Native Studies and minor in Family Social Sciences from UM. She is excited to be starting out a new career in helping promote Indigenous events and Indigenous supports to students just as she utilized these supports when she was a student.

Denise is a Franco-Métis woman from the Red River Valley who is deeply invested in education being the key to opening doorways. A UM alum, she is committed to promoting inclusivity, diversity and cross-cultural understanding. She has worked collaboratively across Manitoba’s Post-Secondary Institutions to form partnerships with external stakeholders, industry sectors, employers, governments, organizations, and councils on behalf of Manitoba’s Indigenous students to create substantive equality and build a vibrant, prosperous Manitoban landscape for all.

Tamara Cardinal is a 2Spirit, Cree Métis from Peace River/Fort Vermilion area of Alberta (Treaty 6). Tamara is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg (B.A. and Human Resource Management). She has worked extensively in HR management with a focus on supporting Indigenous leadership, employees, organizations and communities.  In addition, she brings years of experience in event planning, workshop development & facilitation, mediation, coaching and mentoring.  She is passionate about education and considers herself a life-long learner.  As the Learning Hubs Manager, Tamara works in partnership with Indigenous communities to co-design and establish Learning Hub locations throughout the province. She also plays a  leadership role in bringing together community partners to share promising practices and develop in-community student-focused programs and supports.

Christine was born on Treaty 1 territory. She is a UM alum, earning a B.Comm (Hons) and later attaining a CPA, CGA.  She started at UM at Extended Education in 2016. Before that, she worked in First Nations Inuit Health at Health Canada and at the WRHA she worked with Indigenous community health centres. She also travelled and worked in many First Nations communities. Christine is honoured to be part of the department as Financial Officer.

Cindy Oliveira (she/her) is an Asini Iskak Iskwew (Rocky Cree Woman) from O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation (South Indian Lake).  She grew up in Thompson, Manitoba and eventually moved to the Winnipeg. Cindy currently graduated with an BA(Adv) in Native Studies at the University of Manitoba. Prior to her position with Indigenous Engagement and Communications, she has worked as Events coordinator assistant with Indigenous Engagement  and the Indigenous Student Centre. Cindy is very passionate about health and fitness and loves running and going to the gym. Her passion in life is to empower Indigenous peoples in any way she can from her experiences in life. 

Sarah Deckert is a settler who was born in California but who has spent most of her life on Treaty 1 land. As a high school teacher she saw both the systemic inequities facing Indigenous students and the healing that came when they learned from elders, participated in ceremony, and connected with Indigenous mentors. This taught her that she could not heal her students but that she could use her skills and passion to support Indigenous-led initiatives that bring substantive equality to Indigenous students in Manitoba. She is honoured to support the work of the Manitoba Collaborative Indigenous Education Blueprint as an administrative assistant.

Jerilyn is a member of the Métis Nation in Manitoba with roots embedded in the Red River region. Family, community and ceremony is where she finds her strength and inspiration. Jerilyn was raised in a small, rural community southwest of Winnipeg and has lived in Edmonton, Winnipeg, and at present she resides outside of Winnipeg with her family. Living rurally with open spaces is important to Jerilyn and her family as they enjoy spending time outdoors with their pets, gardening and connecting with nature.

In 2010, Jerilyn graduated from the University of Manitoba ACCESS Programs with her B.A., B.Ed., where she began working for the following ten years in the field of Adult Education at the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD). Jerilyn began her teaching career at CAHRD where she moved into an administrative role as the Assistant Director of Education. She accredits many of her skills, knowledge and connections in various Indigenous communities to the experience she gained from working within CAHRD. At present, Jerilyn is completing her Masters from Brandon University in the Educational Administration program.

Jerilyn began working at The University of Manitoba at The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning in 2020 as an Indigenous Initiatives Educator where she worked alongside Leah Fontaine in providing consultations, research, resources and workshops related to Indigenous education, methodologies, pedagogies, epistemologies and support in approaching reconciliation in teaching and learning for faculty and graduate students at the UM.

Indigenous education and initiatives have long been a passion for Jerilyn, and she is excited to work and collaborate with colleagues, communities and partnerships to create equitable and inclusive learning opportunities for Indigenous students.

Schuyler Hunt is Métis and English settler born on Treaty 1 territory (Winnipeg).  He is a graduate of Red River College Polytechnic’s Creative Communications program. Schuyler has focused his work on using communications strategies and emerging technologies to work towards substantive equality for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students in Canada.

Jenelle Manitowabi (she/her) is an Anishinaabe woman, and a member of Lac Seul First Nation located in treaty 3 territory. She has paternal ties to Wiikwemkoong and M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island. Leaving her community to attend Sault College allowed Jenelle to see the importance of community support and involvement for Indigenous students and she is happy to continue this work as a project coordinator with the university.