Indigenous Circle of Empowerment (ICE)

The Indigenous Circle of Empowerment (ICE) is a student leadership development program rooted in culture and focused on personal, educational, and professional development, and community engagement.

ICE offers a wide array of activities designed to nurture leadership development and foster community building and involvement. These activities involve having conversations with respected Indigenous leaders, engaging with the community, participating in professional development, learning from Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and working on a capstone project as part of a team.

Our weekly meetings, lasting approximately two and a half hours, provide a platform for members to connect, learn, and grow. Most meetings begin with a shared dinner experience which is followed by an inspiring guest speaker who shares their valuable insights and experiences, or a professional development workshop centered around Indigenous values. Following the presentations or workshops, participants engage in meaningful debriefing sessions and frequently collaborate on meaningful group projects. In addition to these scheduled meetings, ICE organizes a range of leadership development opportunities with a strong focus on Indigenous initiatives, offering participants the chance to broaden their horizons and expand their networks beyond the regular program activities.

To ensure a rewarding experience, ICE expects its members to embody qualities such as open-mindedness, inclusivity, respect, responsibility, and a positive attitude is essential for ICE members. We require ICE members to attend all weekly meetings, engage in community service either with local organizations or the University of Manitoba, and complete Speech Craft public speaking training (offered within the ICE program). 

By being part of ICE, you will not only gain exposure to diverse perspectives and knowledge across various sectors but also have the opportunity to build a strong network of like-minded individuals. This network will serve as a valuable resource throughout your personal and professional journey, empowering you with connections, support, and collaborative opportunities beyond the University of Manitoba.

Gallery

  • ICE-2023-24

    ICE 2023-2024

  • ICE 2022-23

    ICE 2022-2023

  • ICE 2021-22

    ICE 2021-2022

  • ICE2019-20

    ICE 2019-2020

  • ICE 2018-19

    ICE 2018-2019

  • ICE 2017-18

    ICE 2017-2018

  • ICE 2016-17

    ICE 2016-2017

  • ICE 2015-2016

    ICE 2015-2016

EleV Program Partnership - Mastercard Foundation

We want to express our sincere gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation's EleV program for their generous support of the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment. Your contribution has been instrumental in helping us empower Indigenous youth and promote positive change within our communities. Thank you for being a valued partner in our mission.

Miigwech! Pidamaya! Kinanâskomitin! Marsi! Nakurmiik! Mąsi chok! Thank you! Merci!

  • EleV logo
  • MC Foundation logo

ICE 2023-2024

Thank you to everyone who applied. We are so excited to announce we have 29 new ICE Members for the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment for the 2023-2024 academic year! 

If you are interested in developing your leadership skills, connecting with your culture, discovering your strengths, expanding your network, volunteering in the community with other students, and working on impactful projects, the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment may be the program for you! 

How Do I Know If I'm Eligible?

To apply to become a member of ICE, you must:

  • be an Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, Inuit) student with a minimum GPA of 2.5
  • have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework
  • maintain at least 60 percent of a full course load

Please email ilp@umanitoba.ca for more information on when to apply for the next cohort for 2024-2045 academic year.

What students say about ICE

Lauren Hallett

Lauren Hallett

"The Indigenous Circle of Empowerment is incredible. It was my first experience being apart of such a group and needless to say, it changed me. I find myself being more confident in academia, in my cultural identity, and in leadership roles. I was honoured to be surrounded by other like-minded individuals throughout my year with ICE who have become great friends of mine and I know we will continue to support each other throughout the rest of our academic and professional careers. ICE gave me the opportunity to hear from inspiring Indigenous professionals in numerous fields who are passionate about the work they do for community which I found deeply moving. With ICE, I had the chance to volunteer with Siloam Mission, attend the Inaugural Inspiring Women’s Awards ceremony, and create an event for Indigenous youth in the city to attend university for a day. The preparation and execution of our group project was an experience I will not soon forget and let me put the public speaking and leadership skills we had been working on into practice. Being a part of ICE has been a rewarding experience that has allowed me to find my voice as an Indigenous leader."
- Lauren Hallett, ICE '23

Bryden Bukich

Bryden Bukich

"ICE was an incredible program! What I enjoyed about ICE is how it fosters an environment that promotes collective leadership, allows students to share ideas, emotions and stories in a non-judgmental environment and inspires students to connect to themselves in a deeper way by engaging with stories from inspirational Indigenous leaders in Manitoba and our country. As well, Justin does an amazing job of not only coordinating the program, but attending to the needs of each individual student. He really was interesting in getting to know me and my needs and interests as a student. I recommend this program to all Indigenous students!"
- Bryden Bukich, ICE ‘22

Trechelle Bunn

Tréchelle Bunn

"The Indigenous Circle of Empowerment provided a safe space for me to connect with fellow Indigenous students and grow throughout my first year at the University of Manitoba. ICE is much more than a student group; it is a community. ICE allowed me to gain confidence in myself as a leader while greatly enhancing my communication skills. ICE provides the opportunity for young leaders to connect with trailblazers and other notable leaders and inspires students to continue to strive for excellence in all aspects of life. ICE is an uplifting collective I am forever grateful to be a part of, as the teachings and lessons I gained through ICE continue to impact my daily life."
-Tréchelle Bunn, ICE '22

Gillian McIvor

Gillian McIvor

"Being a part of ICE has been an amazing experience. Not only have I grown as a leader in so many ways through meeting and learning from other Indigenous leaders in my community, but I have also been able to connect with my Indigenous culture even further. This program is great for Indigenous students that are looking for ways to get involved in the community on campus and meet other leaders that empower them."
-Gillian McIvor, ICE '18, '19, '20

Dr. Gabrielle Wilson

Dr. Gabrielle Wilson

"ICE has significantly increased my confidence in all aspects of life. It has allowed me to strengthen both my personal identity and my Indigenous identity, and now I have a greater understanding of my purpose in life. ICE has given me the opportunity to meet life-long friends, connect with inspirational leaders in the community, increase my communication skills and to travel. It is a comforting and safe place to retreat when life gets overwhelming,"
- Dr. Gabrielle Wilson, ICE '18

Charlene Hallett

Charlene Hallett

"I love ICE! This program has helped develop my leadership skills, alongside some of the most incredible individuals I have met on campus. My favourite memories are rooted in the many opportunities afforded to us: attending sweats, learning about culture, volunteering, meeting the mayor, learning from phenomenal guest speakers, practicing public speaking and off-campus team-building fun. I even got to travel to Montreal in 2017 and Ottawa in 2018 to attend meaningful conferences in my field of study. This circle encourages, inspires, and gently pushes us to be our very best. I'm grateful to be a part of it."
-Charlene Hallett, ICE '17

Dr. Laura Forsythe

Dr. Laura Forsythe

"The Indigenous Circle of Empowerment provides a safe space on campus to excel. Space where you are surrounded by driven, successful Indigenous students striving to improve not only their lives but also the lives of others. The collective lifts each other up by providing support and celebrating accomplishments. Each meeting, we grow as individuals while making connections in industry, politics and the academy. I have thoroughly enjoyed both of the years I have been involved in ICE and look forward to years to come."
- Dr. Laura Forsythe, ICE '17

ICE News

Contact us

Chelsey Meade, Ininiw and Anishinaabe, (she/her/hers)
Indigenous Leadership Programming Coordinator
Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous)
University of Manitoba
Room 219 - 71 Curry Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2
Phone: 431-338-1646 | Email: Chelsey.Meade@umanitoba.ca

Dr. Justin Rasmussen, Métis, (he/him/his)
Director, Indigenous Leadership Programming
Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous)
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus), Education Building
Room 425 - 71 Curry Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2
Phone: 204-915-8110 | Email: Justin.Rasmussen@umanitoba.ca 

Sadie Lavoie, Anishinaabe, (they/them/theirs)
Assistant to the Director, Indigenous Leadership Programming
Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous)
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus), Education Building
Room 418 - 71 Curry Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2
Phone: 431-338-1998 | Email: Sadie.Lavoie@umanitoba.ca 

Ishkode Catcheway, Anishinaabe, (She, her, hers)
ICE Social Media Coordinator, Indigenous Leadership Programming
Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous)
Email: Ishkode.Catcheway@umanitoba.ca

 

ilp@umanitoba.ca
Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.