WINNIPEG – Mayor Brian Bowman announced Monday who will sit on his indigenous advisory circle, led by chairman Wab Kinew.
The circle will advise the mayor on policies the city can implement to continue to build awareness and understanding between Winnipeg’s aboriginal and non-aboriginal people.
“I’m looking forward to working with the mayor to advance the project of reconciliation,” Kinew said. “I look forward to ushering in an era when First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures are celebrated by all Winnipeggers.”
The advisory group, which is also intended to create awareness of aboriginal culture, people and heritage, includes many leaders in Winnipeg’s indigenous community as well as people from outside Winnipeg. In addition to Bowman and Kinew, its membership comprises:
- Justice Murray Sinclair, commissioner, Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- Jamie Wilson, commissioner, Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba
- Cindy Blackstock, executive director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, and associate professor, University of Alberta.
- Coun. Cindy Gilroy, chairwoman, Citizens Equity Committee
- Harry Bone, elder
- Mae Louise Campbell, elder
- Esther Ducharme, elder
- Damon Johnston, president, Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg
- Chief Robert Louie, chief, Westbank First Nation
- Dr. Marcia Anderson-Decoteau
- Sean McCormick, CEO and founder, Manitobah Mukluks
- Jessica Dumas, owner and founder of Prime Image Life Coaching
- EJ Fontaine, president/CEO and founding partner of Anishinabek Consultants Inc.
- Kimberley Puhach, consultant, Leaders and Co.
- Dee Thomas-Hart, university student, 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 - Alan Greyeyes, aboriginal music development manager for Manitoba Music, chairman, Aboriginal Music Manitoba
- Kerri Tattuinee, university student
The circle will meet quarterly, with the first meeting set for Sept. 17 and 18, the mayor’s office said.
Bowman first announced he would create the advisory committee with Kinew as leader in his State of the City address in March.
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