CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2024
In partnership with
#IWD2024 #I nspire I nclusion IS USING HER VOICE TO ADVOCATE FOR OTHERS Fallon Farinacci
2024
CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
International Women’s Day is March 8th and there is so much to celebrate. Women are making great strides in communities all over the world and Manitoba is no exception. Join us in honouring International Women’s Day with IWD magazine!
President and CEO Darren Murphy VP, Revenue and Business Development Michele Prysazniuk Director, Advertising, FP Features Charlene Adam Charlene.Adam@freepress.mb.ca
Editor Charlene Adam Design
Shakar Hagiev View online at winnipegfreepress.com/fp-features
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NELLO ALTOMARE MLA for Transcona 204-594-2025
UZOMA ASAGWARA MLA for Union Station 204-306-8581
RENÉE CABLE MLA for Southdale 204-222-9038
NAHANNI FONTAINE MLA for St. Johns 204-582-1550
TRACY SCHMIDT MLA for Rossmere 204-661-1377
BERNADETTE SMITH MLA for Point Douglas 204-414-1477
NELLIE KENNEDY MLA for Assiniboia 204-888-3188
LISA NAYLOR MLA for Wolseley 204-792-2773
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The Winnipeg Women's Conference in March 2023. SUPPLIED PHOTO
CONTENTS
4 Christine Thiessen on founding the Winnipeg Women's Conference
14 Hillberg & Berk's Rachel Mielke, discusses her purpose-driven business model
8 Bring on the Breakout Speakers
16 Locallly owned health-centric
company, Body Measure shares their details on how they help Manitobans acheive and maintain health
10 Keynote speaker, Fallon Farinacci shares her story
18 National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation - sharing beyond the Survivors Circle
12 Leah Hextall on the hard-won battle in a male-dominated field
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2024
FEARLESS FOUNDER: Christine Thiessen and the Winnipeg Women’s Conference
BY KRISTIN MARAND
It’s no easy feat attracting hundreds of women to an event in Winnipeg in the dead of winter. Christine Thiessen has done exactly that three years in a row with the Winnipeg Women’s Conference (WWC). The WWC founder is an entrepreneur who has been empowering and cheering women on in various roles throughout her career. Her expertise in marketing, and experience working with female-focused organizations and events, is what sparked the idea of creating a conference to connect purpose-driven women and celebrate the successes of those leading the way. “I really enjoyed being chair of the Women Business Owners of Manitoba and chairing the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. I think that's what sparked a lot of what I do today. That's where my excitement comes from and where I draw inspiration,” she says.
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The Winnipeg Women's Conference in March 2023. SUPPLIED PHOTO
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2024
"We have a lot of talent, and we need to highlight and shine that forward for everyone else to see instead of being our humble selves.” – Christine Theissen, founder, Winnipeg Women's Conference
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anyone in Winnipeg or Manitoba and then pull in a couple from within Canada, which is precisely what we do. We still maintain that framework today: the speakers should be, for the most part, Canadian, and the breakout sessions should always be Manitoba speakers. We have a lot of talent, and we need to highlight and shine that forward for everyone else to see instead of being our humble selves.” As the event evolves, Thiessen and the WWC team strive to keep
it fresh by adding experiences. In 2023, the conference offered a headshot lounge and a shop-and- sip event. “Every year, we try to do something different so it's not stagnant. We always change up our VIP session to go with the theme. This year, we're changing up our networking lounge. Plus, the topics always change for all the speakers, including the panel discussion. We really try to hone in on what's relevant.”
Thiessen started planning the inaugural WWC in 2020, which became a reality in 2022. From the start, the event featured keynote, panel and breakout sessions with lunch and networking opportunities. Her vision has propelled the conference into what is now the biggest event of its kind on the Prairies, and it’s only in its third year. “In terms of speakers, my thought process was always to keep it local, to highlight speakers, specifically
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Shoulders Back will officially be announced at the WWC and is open for registration. For more information on the conference, visit winnipegwomensconference.com.
The Winnipeg Women's Conference in March 2023 SUPPLIED PHOTOS
Ranging in price from $375 to $700, tickets for the event are an investment in self and community. At the time of the interview, there were already limited tickets remaining, and Thiessen expects the event to sell out as it did last year. Recognizing that the cost of admission may put the event out of reach for some, the WWC created a nominee program that provides sponsorships for women who may not otherwise be able to attend. Eight nominees were selected to participate in the conference at no cost in 2024. Thiessen describes the conference atmosphere as something that must be experienced to truly be understood.
“When you walk into that limestone building (the Winnipeg Art Gallery), it comes to life. It's buzzing with activity and this feeling of empowerment, like an internal vibration. People leave on a high. We're creating that environment for people to meet others to help drive them. I believe that fully, and we['ve] tried to surround ourselves with the best people, vendors, partners, and sponsors and hope that shines through in everything that we do,” she explains. Based on the success of the previous two conferences, Thiessen and the WWC team are validated in their continued efforts. The conference meets a demand for
working women, but Thiessen is already adapting that framework for a younger audience. “An aha moment came to me: Why do we wait until our 30s to do this? Why don't we do this in high school? We will officially announce an event called Shoulders Back at the conference - My mom always used to tell me to ‘stand up straight, shoulders back.' It will be a one-day event in October at the Concert Hall for grade 10 and 11 students. We are bringing the same guidance, empowerment and real-life skills in a high school format. Except the best part is, there's no cost for them.”
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2024
BREAKOUT SPEAKERS Following the morning networking sessions, keynote speakers and panel discussions, participants can attend two breakout sessions throughout the day. All the breakout speakers are Manitobans, experts in their field, discussing various topics, including finances, balance, leadership, negotiation and more. Nicole Dubé, EMCEE Nicole is the owner of DUBÉ MEDIA Inc., and is a familiar face in the Canadian media landscape. The professional speaker and emcee is known for her 20 year career as a national reporter, network news anchor, and most recently the co-host of CTV Morning Live Winnipeg. Now, Nicole's mission is to help people and organizations tell their story and engage their audience through media training, presentation coaching, and specialized communication services offered through her consulting work. Please learn more about Nicole at: www.nicoledubemedia.com Chelsea Arns Founder of the Aligned Planner and Journal, owner of TutorBright and successful real estate investor. I will share my personal journey of manifesting success in both business and personal life by tapping into a higher level of consciousness, trusting the universe and strategically reprogramming my mindset. My breakout session will emphasize how this shift has been instrumental in my accomplishments. It will also offer key tips and insights to help the women activate their higher selves so they not only thrive in the business world but also create harmonious and fulfilling lives at home. Natalie Suppes Join Natalie Suppes as she takes the stage to share her incredible journey of finding the courage to leave a well-paying corporate job in the midst of a pandemic. Despite facing the challenges of a chronic illness and caring for her 8-month-old daughter, Natalie will inspire you with her story of creating a business that defies conventional norms and embraces personal dreams, aspirations, and beliefs. She truly is Sick and Successful! Get ready to discover how to turn your own dreams into reality and achieve remarkable success as Natalie shares her secrets to taking a business from zero to multiple six figures in her first year of business. This talk will leave you feeling motivated, empowered, and ready to chase your own unique path to success. Don't miss out!
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Jane Helbrecht Jane is a CPHR and Certified Leadership coach with over 15 years experience in the people and culture and leadership development space. As the founder of Uplift Engagement, she focuses on building people and leadership development programs that shift team dynamics so that teams can focus, get stuff done and have fun while they do it. Geeta Tucker Geeta is a Fellow CPA with over thirty years working in multiple industries including telecommunications and foreign aid. She was most recently the Chief Financial Officer at Alinea International, an international development consulting firm. In 2019, Geeta was named President and CEO of CPA Manitoba where she represents Manitoba’s 9,000 CPA members, candidates, and students. She is also a volunteer for United Way Winnipeg and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. Shana Robinson Shana's entusisatic approach to sales will inspire. Prepare to learn lots as you learn to shine! Lindsay Martens When you judge yourself based on looks, it's like planting weeds in your personal growth garden. About 75% of women fall into this trap. This isn't just a bummer for our self-esteem, but it can also hold us back in our careers and in life. Registered Dietitian, Lindsay Martens is going to help you break free from this toxic mindset. She's got all the juicy tips to nourish our bodies and kick self-objectification to the curb! Kristine Betker Kristine Betker, CFRE, ACC, CEC will present a session directed to new or experienced members of a charity’s board of directors who are keen to support a cause that means so much to them and eager to put their best food forward. Kristine will provide attendees with insight on how to best support a charity’s staff, help – not hinder – their fundraising efforts and be the best possible ambassadors and advocates for their charity and its mission. Kristine specializes in helping charities accelerate growth by focusing on teams, systems and leadership. From identifying blind spots to building effective processes, Kristine helps leverage efforts for maximum results. As an Executive Coach, Kristine partners with professionals as they step into ther expertise and power as leaders. Whether you’re an aspiring, emerging or established leader, Kristine helps define your executive presence and lead with confidence.
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BODY MEASURE WORKING TO HELP WOMEN TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR HEALTH BY TODD LEWYS
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Over the past several years, Body Measure has established a reputation for doing everything they can to help women lead healthier, more productive lives.
That commitment is now being taken to a higher level with a new Comprehensive Health Assessment initiative. “We have a passion for women’s health and believe things can be done better in that area,” says Melina Elliott, who co-owns the women-run company with partner Erica Henderson. “Now, women can come in and get a complete health assessment, with everything being done under one roof.” Suffice it to say, the assessment will be what it’s advertised to be: exceedingly thorough.
The newest addition to the Body Measure team, Reimer has been a licensed Nurse Practitioner in Manitoba since 2010. “With her specialization in BHRT and weight loss, Annabelle can work with female clients to address their issues with perimenopause and menopause,” says Elliott. “We now have the knowledge and tools required to help women manage menopause in a better way.” The final component is a one-and-a-half hour meeting with registered dietitian Angela Martens. “Angela has a real passion for women’s health,” says Henderson. “She is passionate about empowering her clients to optimize their nutritional health and loves to work with clients to help them reverse their metabolic syndrome and lose body fat.” She adds that health optimization is the main goal of the assessment. “By going over everything and identifying potential risk factors, we will see you as a full person – when you come to see us at Body Measure, you will feel heard and understood. It’s all about setting you on your best path and doing the things necessary to help you fully optimize your health.” Essentially, the new Comprehensive Health Assessment has been designed to allow women to take charge of their health, and to thrive and not just survive it by looking at it from every possible angle. “The idea is to be proactive with your health, and we can help you do it with this holistic approach. Much of this comprehensive testing is covered by private insurance, so it’s very accessible. We can act as your primary care provider, and help you lead a healthier, happier life. Most importantly, we want our clients to be seen, heard, and understood,” says Elliott.
“We can help by taking a much deeper look into your health than what you would get from your family doctor,” says Henderson. That deep dive will start with a complete blood test including a hormone assessment, a hip and spine Dexa scan to look for osteoporosis, as well as a full body Dexa Scan that looks at visceral and subcutaneous fat, and muscle mass. From there, clients will then undergo a Fibro scan to look at liver health and a resting metabolic test to assess metabolism. Next comes a 30-minute consultation with Erica to go over all the test results, then a one-hour physical with nurse practitioner Annabelle Reimer who specializes in menopause, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) and weight loss.
The Body Measure team, from left to right: Nurse Practitioner Annabelle Reimer, co-owner Melina Elliott, co-owner Erica Henderson and Registered Dietitian Angela Martens. SUPPLIED PHOTO
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AROUND THE KITCHEN TABLE WITH MMIWG ADVOCATE Fallon Farinacci BY KRISTIN MARAND Fallon Farinacci is a Red River Métis woman who, as per her spirit name, White Thunder Woman, has come to make noise - to call attention to the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and its far-reaching echoes. She will share her story of resilience and survival through reclamation in her keynote at the 2024 Winnipeg Women's Conference (WWC). In 2017, Farinacci testified at the National Inquiry for MMIWG. In St. Eustache, Manitoba, in 1993, both her parents were murdered while she and her brothers were home. As a result of unresolved trauma and lack of mental health support, she lost her older brother to suicide at the age of 29 and, 19 years later her younger brother at the age of 36. “You can expect authenticity, vulnerability, and an opportunity to hear firsthand experience and walk away with an understanding of my story and who I am as a person. And then potentially, be able to take that and implement some of the tools that I bring to the table, some parts of my story that can hopefully bring change to their lives, their work, around the kitchen table.” Following her parents' deaths, there was an inquiry into RCMP misconduct. Her surviving family chose to approach the circumstances with transparency, so Farinacci has been open about sharing her story. Knowing this, her cousin encouraged her to testify. She agreed because she has a "good, bad habit" of saying, "Anyway, I can help.” Farinacci believes that it's worth it if her story can help even one person, or through a national platform like the inquiry, potentially thousands of people.
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“Our society does a really good job at making us and trauma, making you believe that you're alone in it. It wasn't until the inquiry that I thought, oh my god, there are all of these families who have almost identical stories to mine - I'm not alone in what I'm going through, and this is not okay. On the journey, I met a woman out east who has an almost identical story except didn't have a brother, who later in life killed himself due to the trauma. I met a Six Nations woman with an identical story whose brother also committed suicide after witnessing her parent's double murder-suicide.” She says she struggled with imposter syndrome at first. Upon hearing the countless similar experiences and drawing strength from the pride her father instilled in her, she realized that she is living proof of a shared pain. She decided then to do whatever she could to continue the conversation and push for change. She also learned that healing is a layered process that continues whenever she shares her story. “I told an elder once [that] I feel terrible every time I speak. Because I'm noticing, I'm feeling like something is being resolved in me, that I'm receiving healing. And he said, ‘No, don't feel sorry. You're leaving something behind.’ That was big for me, and had I never said that out loud, I wouldn't have gotten that piece of healing.” Though Farinacci continues to feel the ripple effects of living through unfathomable violence and loss, she acknowledges the role that community has played in her healing journey, especially the ‘army of women’ she has around her. She hopes her contribution to the WWC will help create new relationships, foster connections, and provide support. “I wouldn’t be the person I am - probably wouldn't be sitting here - if it wasn't for those people. That support shapes you. When I think about going through all of this, I always see my kids at the center of it and the people they, too, have standing around them. The hope is building a community like that - it trickles into your life on such a deep level that it becomes a piece of you.” Farinacci started an online fundraiser for two Indigenous charities to celebrate her 38th birthday, a birthday neither of her parents nor brothers lived to see. It surpassed the initial $3,800 goal, eventually reaching over $106,000 with an additional $16,000 donated to one of the charities through community fundraising events in the Niagara Region. In 2022 she started the first annual Celebrate Indigenous Resilience Red Dress May 5th walk bringing awareness to the ongoing genocide of Indigenous women across Turtle Island. This work has propelled Farinacci into social media notoriety. “Growing the platform came accidentally. It was the Celebrate Indigenous Resilience fundraiser that I started back in 2021 that catapulted it, and for that, I'm
forever grateful because it allowed me to get to more people. I hope people come on and learn something, but I also hope people feel comfortable messaging me or commenting. And then when I get those messages or comments, I can learn from [them] too. It's built a community of love and support that beats any odd negative comment, so it's been wonderful in that sense.” Farinacci is grateful for the opportunities that the amplification of her voice through social media has afforded her. Not only does it allow her to reach a larger audience with her advocacy, but it has created the ability for her to earn an income while allowing for the flexibility she needs as a mother of three and full-time advocate. She also deeply appreciates the people who have learned about Indigenous issues through her accounts or have reached out to say they've been inspired to reconnect to their own heritage. She offers this advice: “It's a journey, and it's going to take time. Find your home. And if you have difficulty finding your home, find someone you can trust who can walk that journey with you. Don't rush through it because you will do harm to others, and you'll do harm to yourself because you'll miss out on parts. Just like anything with colonization, paperwork is not where you're going to find the stories. You're going to find the stories with community. So find your community and take your time with it.” Find Farinacci online on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Pinterest @FallonFarinacci and FallonFarinacci.com.
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BILLIE CROSS MLA for Seine River 431-323-6026
RON KOSTYSHYN MLA for Dauphin 204-638-1672
MIKE MOROZ MLA for River Heights 204-774-3669
DAVID PANKRATZ MLA for Waverley 204-804-2875
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CALLING THE SHOTS WITH Leah Hextall BY KRISTIN MARAND
We’ve watched her on television and heard her broadcasts – in many ways, it feels like the public has been along for the ride as veteran sports broadcaster Leah Hextall has made her way to the top of her field. What you can't see through a screen or understand until you hear her story is how she has navigated the tumultuous waters of a fickle industry to boldly go where no woman has tread before her. In her presentation at the 2024 Winnipeg Women's Conference, Hextall promises a vulnerable and transparent keynote that she hopes will resonate with every person in the room in one way or another.
“When I have done my keynote in the past, one of the things that women often say to me is that they feel like they've been seen, and I don't know if there's a better compliment than that. For someone to see themselves in your words and be able to connect with you, it creates that sense of community that I think a lot of women are looking for,” she says.
Raised in Brandon, after completing her education in broadcasting, Hextall went on to work for CTV Winnipeg, the New England Sports Network and Sportsnet as a studio host and reporter for Hockey Night in Canada. Organizational restructuring at Sportsnet in 2016 forced Hextall to reflect and consider her next career move.
“My pivot came out of a sense of necessity because I couldn't get a job in the industry that I'd been working at the highest level for 15 years after I got laid off from Hockey Night in Canada. When your industry suddenly does not want you, it is a very scary place because you also have so much of your identity tied up in being ‘Leah Hextall, the sports broadcaster,' and
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if you're not her, who are you?” With the grace of a deking defencewoman, Hextall made a foray into political communications. The move was validating and helped her understand the breadth of her skillset. She says she is grateful for the experience because it enabled her to grow, become a well-rounded person and recognize that she is more than her job title. “What I learned in that experience was that I have so many transferable skills; there are so many things that I can take away from my broadcasting that work in other industries. That's something that I didn't know that now I do, that provides me not only with work but also puts me in a sense of power to know that if that time comes again, where either I am forced out or hopefully I make the choice to walk away. I have a skill set that is worth something to other industries that I can take with me and be successful in.” During her time away from full- time reporting, Hextall continued to pursue her passion for sports. She
seriously considered the direction she wanted to take her career. Recognizing the absence of women calling play-by-play in hockey and with encouragement from her mentors, Hextall honed her skills by calling games on the side. In 2018, she made her televised play-by-play debut with the Canadian Women’s Hockey League. Media companies began to take notice, and Hextall started down a path of 'firsts.' She became the first woman to call an NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship game in 2019. The following year, she became the first woman to call play- by-play for an NHL game. In 2021, she signed on with ESPN as the first woman to hold a play-by-play role in a national TV broadcast. While these firsts have been exhilarating, they've also come at a cost. “As soon as you start occupying a space that no other female has stood in, that is a tremendous change for many. There are those who don't believe that you should be there, that you only received this because you're checking a box
because of physically what you represent, but not what you can actually bring,” she explains. “It's a difficult spot, and that creates a sense of isolation and loneliness, and being ‘the first’ is one of the loneliest experiences I've ever had.” As a public figure, Hextall has faced more than her fair share of criticism but says she has come to a place where she can navigate those thoughts and feelings. She only puts stock in the opinions of those who understand what she's trying to accomplish and recognize how difficult it is. She surrounds herself with supportive people who want to see her succeed. She’s tough as nails and owns her seat at the table. “It's really important for me to call my own shots in this industry because I've been on the other side of it, and not many of us are allowed to do that or have that privilege. It's in me to be driven; I am competitive; it’s part of my genetics being a Hextall. I want to keep seeing where I can go with it and keep pushing boundaries.”
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"When I have done my keynote in the past, one of the things that women often say to me is that they feel like they've been seen, and I don't know if there's a better compliment than that." – Leah Hextall
ROBERT LOISELLE MLA for St. Boniface 204-505-2800
JENNIFER CHEN MLA for Fort Richmond 431-294-9854
JELYNN DELA CRUZ MLA for Radisson 204-599-2080
JIM MALOWAY MLA for Elmwood 204-415-1122
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She Dazzles: HILLBERG & BERK’S RACHEL MIELKE ON HER PURPOSE-DRIVEN APPROACH TO JEWELRY
BY KRISTIN MARAND
Rachel Mielke founded the socially focused jewelry company Hillberg & Berk at her kitchen table 17 years ago with the vision that jewelry can be more than just a fashion accessory. Today Hillberg & Berk has over 15 retail locations and has contributed over $10 million to organizations that support women, including national partnerships with Dress
for Success Canada Foundation, Native
Women's Association of Canada and the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity.
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From an attendee in 2023 to a keynote speaker in 2024 at this year’s Winnipeg Women’s Conference, Mielke will share her journey of growing Hillberg & Berk while being a mom of three. She plans to discuss how she found passion and purpose “I was at this event last year and incredibly inspired by the group of dynamic and passionate women from all over Winnipeg and very impressed with the content and the keynote, so I was thrilled to be invited to participate,” she says. “It's always exciting and invigorating to participate in events that bring together groups of incredible women. I find that it really fills me up to be able to meet new women, hear their stories, and be able to be in community.” Surrounding yourself with people who want to see you succeed and help you level up is vital for growth. Mielke says that participating in an event like the WWC can be powerful and inspiring for people starting in business or solopreneurs. She has made a point of taking time out from the daily demands of her business to participate in events that bring women together. “Being in rooms like this, being in developing her brand and focusing on women's issues.
around so many different inspiring and compelling stories has been a critical part of my overall personal and professional development. When I was first getting started, the ability to see other women who had done something exceptional showed me that it was possible. Seeing women who had done it and hearing their stories was critically important for setting a foundational stone for me to say, I can do this too,” she explains. Now, at a point in her career where she can reflect on successes and missteps, Mielke shares her experiences to encourage others. Not only does Hillberg & Berk actively support organizations that further women's advancement she is personally devoted to seeing others succeed by supporting female entrepreneurs on social media, attending speaking engagements and making financial investments – she recently made a foray into venture capital investing. “I find a lot of joy and fulfillment in being a part of cheering on other people's successes,” she says. Mielke is highly optimistic and says she has a lot to look forward to, including watching her kids grow up and trying new things in business. She recognizes that motivation can
be hard to come by whether you are starting out or well into your career and emphasizes that part of the journey is never feeling quite settled in. “As an entrepreneur in today's day and age, you have to be nimble and keep challenging yourself to stay relevant and stay in business. So I'm always excited about the next thing to come. We've worked really hard at H&B to bring forward an exciting vision in our design, and we have incredible products that I'm so excited about launching this year. And so many people still don't know about our brand. So I'm always very passionate about continuing to tell the brand story of Hillberg & Berk and continue to get our products on experience at Hillberg & Berk's long-time location at CF Polo Park is in the works. Moving from their current location upstairs to the main floor, a fun, bright and modern shopping concept called new people across Canada.” In Winnipeg, a new retail a “sparkle bar” is set to open this spring. To learn more about Hillberg & Berk's purpose-driven approach and see their jewelry, visit hillbergandberk.com.
Celebrating International Women’s Day
Niki Ashton , MP Churchill—Keewatinook Aski Niki.Ashton@parl.gc.ca 1-866-785-0522
Leah Gazan , MP Winnipeg Centre Leah.Gazan@parl.gc.ca 204-984-1675
Daniel Blaikie , MP Elmwood—Transcona Daniel.Blaikie@parl.gc.ca 204-984-2499
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THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION TRUTHS FROM THE SURVIVORS CIRCLE
International Women’s Day is a time to reflect upon the roles women play in our world. For many, it’s a time to celebrate hard-fought advancements in human rights over the last few centuries, but this isn’t the case for all women – particularly Indigenous women. Survivors and Knowledge Keepers reveal a different history. Over the last few centuries colonial systems have stripped the long-held and respected matriarchal leadership role from Indigenous women. Oral histories that support this, and other truths, continue to be revealed by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
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From left to right: NCTR Executive Director, Stephanie Scott; Director, Communications and Digital Strategy, Shasta Chartrand; Associate Executive Director, Jolene Head; and Elder-In-Residence, Florence Paynter. PHOTO BY DARCY FINLEY
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The University of Manitoba has the honour and responsibility of hosting the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Born from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, NCTR is guided by the Governing Circle and Survivors Circle, which are made up of First Nations, Inuit and Métis representatives. Safeguarding statements, records, and sacred items is only part of NCTR’s crucial role. Encouraging Canadians to understand the past — and the part they played in it— is key to NCTR encouraging all Canadians to embrace a better future. Despite the daunting mandate, NCTR Executive Director, Stephanie Scott is optimistic. She explains, “Indigenous Peoples cannot walk the path of reconciliation alone; each person in Canada must play a part. What we can accomplish together is to listen to Survivors and honour their truths, call for accountability from governments and institutions, and find ways to participate in reconciliation in our daily lives.” Shasta Chartrand, NCTR Director of Communications and Digital Strategy, also sees solid reasons to remain positive. She says, “while progress can be slow, every effort no matter how big or small helps. Last summer, I saw a family of four out for a bike ride, parents and their two children all wearing orange shirts. We had an amazing turnout on Parliament Hill for the national broadcast Remembering the Children …. These instances filled me with hope — hope that people are listening and want to be allies.” Collecting and recording Survivors' oral histories is at the heart of NCTR. Accomplishing this feat requires sensitivity, patience and understanding — traits members of this primarily women- lead team exude.
Maata Evaluardjuk-Palmer. SUPPLIED PHOTO
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NCTR Associate Executive Director, Jolene Head encourages others to understand the importance of allowing Survivors to share their journeys in a Sharing Circle. “For myself, the Sharing Circle means a place where everyone has an equal opportunity to be heard. There are no hierarchies in the Circle. You can share your truth and expect that all in the Circle will listen to understand.” Each story, while individually shared, can inspire and teach the overall community. Chartrand notes, “I have learned a lot listening to the truths of Survivors, hearing about their experiences at residential schools and how those experiences shaped not only their lives, but the lives of their families and generations to come. Part of my role at the NCTR… is to help amplify Survivors’ voices so that all Canadians can learn from them.” “I have the honour of working with Residential School Survivors every day,” adds Survivor Circle Member, Barb Cameron. “They have taught me that truth-telling is the foundation of reconciliation. And they remind me that there are still many Survivors who have never been able to share their truths, who still find this conversation too hard, too triggering to have.” Survivor Circle Member, Maata Evaluardjuk-Palmer agrees that truth-telling can be difficult. She explains, “it was hard to share. I find it hard to talk about, as I feel the effects of it for a while. It haunts me to bring it out and to hear other Survivors’ experiences.” While she doesn’t encourage others to share “if it is too hard,” she notes that stories encourage
Survivors to know they “are not alone in this healing journey. We (Survivors) have to reconcile at our own pace and time. Reconciliation is a process made of many elements and avenues.” Survivors oral histories that are protected at the NCTR reflect a consistent message heard from so many individuals affected by residential schools and colonialism itself. Survivors such as Elder-in-Residence, Elder Florence Paynter and Evaluardjuk-Palmer may have individual journeys, but their pain is shared. These truths help us in understanding “the personal and generational impacts of the residential school experience,“ notes Elder Paynter. They are “crucial to preventing history from repeating itself. Recording these stories helps individuals comprehend the reasons behind the silence of their grandparents NCTR works diligently to ensure future generations understand how pivotal a role these shared truths play in the Reconciliation process. To embrace this goal, the Centre has built a solid educational platform. Cameron explains, that “hearing the and parents, fostering a deeper understanding of historical trauma.” voices of Survivors can have a tremendous impact on younger people. The educational events the NCTR organizes, including the annual Truth and Reconciliation Week in September, give younger people from grades K-12 the opportunity to learn about Indigenous history, cultures, languages and the ongoing legacy of residential schools from Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, Elders and Survivors.”
Barb Cameron. SUPPLIED PHOTO
“We have to trust our feelings. Our first feelings about any situation we face at any time, even in healthy environments,”
– Maata Evaluardjuk-Palmer
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From left to right, top to bottom: Survivors Circle Member, Elder-In-Residence Florence Paynter; Associate Executive Director, Jolene Head; Director of Communications and Digital Strategy, Shasta Chartrand; and NCTR Executive Director, Stephanie Scott. PHOTOS BY DARCY FINLEY
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reflected in her own family. “I have two nephews who are now young men and I’d like them to take away the feeling of pride. I say this because despite what has happened to Indigenous Peoples in Canada, we are still here, and we are reconnecting with our culture, language and ceremony. I want them to continue the work the Survivors have begun.” Reflecting upon International Women’s Day, Maata offers advice for all women: “We have to trust our feelings. Our first feelings about any situation we face at any time, even in healthy environments,” she explained. Cameron adds, “International
Women’s Day, to me, is about striving for safety, health and strength of our future generation of women and girls. It is a time to recognize the women who paved the way for us to be where we are now, and we repay this debt of gratitude by supporting future women leaders through mentorship and compassion.” In line with International Women’s Day’s 2024 theme, Inspire Inclusion, Elder Paynter provides these hopeful words: “I encourage women worldwide to recognize the inherent power they hold as matriarchs…. On this day, assume your rightful place in society and celebrate your strengths.”
Chartrand powerfully describes why children should know this history. “It’s unimaginable for many to be able to even understand what Indigenous people went through when their children were taken from them, and for those parents whose children never returned home. It’s up to us as individuals and educators to help with those educational efforts to foster understanding and awareness.” In addition to understanding and overcoming the trauma is the overreaching goal of reconnecting with what was lost over the years. Head sees reconnection
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CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
The WWC Director Team (from left to right): Kimberley Kiemeney, Tina Boenders, Judith Chambers, Christine Thiessen (founder and chair), Cady Jessiman, Allie Wilgosh Missing Members: Dana Plett, Yaza Shapata, Enisty Elias
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