The Mayor's National Summit on Racial Inclusion

Aisha Alfa

Born in Nigeria, raised in Winnipeg, now making her home in Toronto, Aisha Alfa is making a name for herself in the Canadian comedy, hosting and acting scenes. She is the previous winner of Winnipeg’s Funniest Person with a Day Job, has performed at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and was a finalist in NBC’s Diversity Showcase in LA. She has been on MUCH Music’s Video On Trial, MTV Canada’s Degrassi: The Next Generation and was featured in the pilot of The Second City Project on Global. Aisha loves laughing and hates bananas.

Charlene Hay

Charlene is a former teacher who has lived and worked in Africa and an Aboriginal Community in northern Alberta. She has a Masters of Education in sociology and intercultural education. Charlene was the Executive Director of the Centre for Race and Culture from 1997 to 2015. She currently works on contract for CRC.

Charlene has led several research projects on race relations, written teachers' resource booklets, and worked toward systemic change. She has supervised projects raising capacity for youth and adults in understanding and working toward racial and cultural equity.

Joseph Boyden

Joseph Boyden grew up in Willowdale, Ontario in the 1970’s. He is a Canadian of Irish, Scottish and Métis roots. He grew up with history and myth surrounding him, stories of his father’s war exploits. In the most devastating event that occurred in his early life, his father died when he was only eight years old. This had a profound impact on the trajectory of his life.

Boyden’s ancestry is a mix of Metis and Irish Catholic. Over the years Boyden has been absorbing native experience through a kind of osmosis, through physical surroundings, his friendships, and his Anishnabe faith.

The common theme in most of his literary works is the inequality of the Native people. He has a passion to help those Aboriginals who struggle against respect and equality. Boyden has also received several awards with the success of his works.

Boyden teaches Canadian literature and creative writing at the University of New Orleans and splits his time between Louisiana and Canada. He has a wife who is also a writer.

Ry Moran

As the first Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), it is Ry Moran’s job to guide the creation of an enduring national treasure – a dynamic Indigenous archive built on integrity, trust and dignity. Ry came to the centre directly from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). On the TRC’s behalf, he facilitated the gathering of nearly 7,000 video/audio-recorded statements of former residential school students and others affected by the residential school system. He was also responsible for gathering the documentary history of the residential school system from more than 20 government departments and nearly 100 church archives – millions of records in all.

Before joining the TRC, Ry was the founder and president of YellowTilt Productions, which delivered services in a variety of areas including Aboriginal language presentation and oral history. He has hosted internationally broadcast television programs, produced national cultural events, and written and produced original music for children’s television. Ry’s professional skills and creativity have earned him many awards, including a National Aboriginal Role Model Award, and a Canadian Aboriginal Music Award. Ry is a proud member of the Metis Nation.

James (Jamie) B. Wilson, Treaty Commissioner

Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba

Jamie earned his B.A. (University of Winnipeg), M.Ed. Administration (University of Manitoba) and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (California State University). In addition to his experience as an administrator, he possesses extensive K-12 teaching experience in public, on-reserve, and US charter school systems.

Jamie served in the U.S. Army’s Special Operations receiving the award of Distinguished Honour Graduate. He received his US Jump Wings, British and Canadian Parachutist Wings and was placed on the 2nd Ranger Battalion Super Squad Award for athletic distinction.

In 2010, the Government of Canada appointed Jamie as Treaty Commissioner for Manitoba. In this role, he represents the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba (TRCM) and is mandated to strengthen, rebuild and enhance the Treaty relationship.

Jamie also serves as an advisor for the Mayor’s Indigenous Advisory Council and the University of Manitoba’s President’s Advisory Council. He is a board member for the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, the Winnipeg Football Club, and United Way Cabinet.

Jamie is also the recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal for Community Service.

Stanley McKay

Stanley was born on Fisher River Reserve, a Cree community. He attended Birtle Indian Residential School, and then went onto the Manitoba Teachers College to become a teacher. Later he went to the University of Winnipeg to obtain a degree in Theology where he than worked with the United Church of Canada.

Presently, Stanley is working to building cross-cultural relations and participating in dialogue, which addresses injustice resulting from colonial history.

He is married, with three grown children and enjoys fishing in the creek with his three grandchildren.

Dalila Awada

Étudiante en sociologie, blogueuse, militante. Intéressée et impliquée dans les questions liées au racisme et au féminisme.

Diane Roussin

Diane Roussin is a dedicated community leader and a proud member of the Skownan First Nation. Diane has worked tirelessly for many years, primarily in Winnipeg’s inner city, for organizations and initiatives that respect the ability and the right of Indigenous families, children and individuals to care for themselves and thrive. Most recently, she became the Project Director for The Winnipeg Boldness Project. Through this Innovation Incubator, she continues to engage in collaborative processes that involve numerous cross-sector partners and stakeholders, to tenaciously seek locally embedded solutions, and to steadfastly pursue tangible outcomes for the benefit of the Community: the hallmark attributes of Diane’s leadership style. Diane holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work degrees. She is a cherished member of a large extended family, a wife, and a loving mother of two adorable little girls.

Régine Uwibereyeho King

Régine Uwibereyeho King is Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Manitoba. Her research interests include social processes in post-genocide Rwanda, women’s rights, and psychosocial well-being of survivors of organized violence who resettle back into their communities and in other countries as refugees and immigrants. Dr. King is also interested in cross-cultural mental health interventions and indigenous knowledges. She has published on truth commission, grassroots intergroup dialogue and other healing processes in post-genocide Rwanda, transnational research, and North-South partnerships in social work education. She is committed to social justice, human rights, and healthy communities.

Dr. Gerald L. Durley

Dr. Gerald L. Durley was born in Wichita, Kansas. He grew up in California and graduated from high school in Denver, Colorado. Being endowed with exceptional basketball skills and a deep interest in improving the civil and human rights of African Americans, Dr. Durley chose to leave the west and venture south to Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee.

While earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, playing on a championship basketball team, and serving as student government president, he became very active in the civil rights movement. After graduating, Dr. Durley became one of the first Peace Corp volunteers to enter Nigeria, West Africa. From Africa he ventured to Switzerland where he enrolled in postgraduate studies at the University of Neuchantel. While there, he was invited to play for one of the Swiss National basketball teams.

When he returned to the United States, Dr. Durley enrolled in Northern Illinois University where he again became intensely involved in the struggle for human dignity, and earned one of the first Masters Degrees in Community Mental Health. He earned a Doctorate Degree in Urban Education and Psychology from University of Massachusetts and a Master of Divinity Degree from Howard University.

Dr. Durley currently serves as Pastor of Providence Missionary Baptist Church and is a highly sought speaker on civil and human rights issues. He and his wife, Muriel, have 2 children and 4 grandchildren.

Ira Udow

Ira Udow is the co-founder of the Winnipeg Cultural Diversity Project. Now in its 10th year, over 900 grade 5 and 6 students from five UNESCO Associated schools, representing different demographic areas of the city, have participated in this extra-curricular program. This project is specifically designed to engage students in the life-long journey towards critically examining, understanding, respecting and valuing other cultures and religions. Students actively participate in exploring concepts of diversity and inclusion, and collaborating with children from different backgrounds in meaningful intercultural dialogue to envision a sustainable peaceful coexistence.

Following a successful career as an educator and school administrator in the Winnipeg School Division, Ira is educating pre-service teachers at the University of Winnipeg’s Faculty of Education and is an educational consultant for Education Solutions Manitoba. Ira's interests in social justice, human rights, and environmental sustainability have led him to participate in the UNESCO Associated Schools Network as an administrator of a member school and as a past provincial network chair. He has recently authored a resource guide for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO that provides educators with a description and overview of Winnipeg’s Cultural Diversity Project as an example of good practice that can be readily adapted for use by other educational communities.  Ira is currently a core member of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO’s “Value of UNESCO Project” to assess the value the UNESCO Associated Schools network and is a member of the planning committee for the up-coming UNESCO student conference in Winnipeg.

Professeur Ibrahima Diallo

Biographie succincte

Université de Saint-Boniface
200, av. de la cathédrale
Faculté des sciences
Département de Sciences expérimentales
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R2H 0H7
Téléphones: Bur. (204)237 18 18 (poste 429), Portable : (204) 232 63 17
Courriels : ou

Le professeur Diallo est natif du Sénégal et a émigré au Canada en 1984. Il détient un doctorat en médecine vétérinaire de l’université de Dakar (Sénégal) en 1978. Il a occupé les fonctions de doyen des facultés des arts, sciences, administration des affaires et service social de 2000 à 2010 à l’université de Saint-Boniface (Winnipeg, Manitoba). Il est professeur titulaire à la faculté des sciences de l’université de Saint-Boniface depuis 1985(département de sciences expérimentales : zoologie, microbiologie, physiologie).

Il a été membre de plusieurs conseils d’administration et comités :

• Membre du CA de Abri Marguerite (logement pour les nouveaux arrivants) (2014-)
• Consul Honoraire du Sénégal à Winnipeg (depuis juin 2012 -)
• Président de la Table nationale de concertation communautaire sur l’immigration francophone et co-président du comité CIC-CFSM sur l’immigration (2014- )
• Membre du Conseil consultatif pour les droits de la personne (CCDP), Musée canadien pour les droits de la personne (2010 - 2013).
• Président du CA de la Société franco manitobaine (2006 - 2011).
• Président du Manitoba Immigration Council (2008-2011).
• Membre du Conseil d’administration l’Agence nationale et internationale du Manitoba (ANIM), (2007-2008) qui est le membre fondateur maintenant intégré au World Trade Centre (Centre de commerce mondial) à Winnipeg;
• Membre du Comité directeur pour l’organisation du Sommet des communautés francophones et acadiennes, organisé par la (FCFA), (2006- 2007);
• Membre fondateur et président de l’Amicale de la francophonie multiculturelle du Manitoba (1998-2000)
• Participation à des conférences colloques ou tables rondes sur : la dualité linguistique, la diversité culturelle, la francophonie, la démocratie en Afrique, l’immigration, l’intégration, la vulgarisation scientifique.

Le professeur Diallo a reçu plusieurs reconnaissances et distinctions dont :

• La Médaille du Jubilé de diamant (60e anniversaire de l’accession au trône de la Reine Elizabeth II) (2012);
• L’Ordre des francophones d’Amérique (Québec) pour contribution exceptionnelle à la vie française (2009);
• Prix de reconnaissance décerné par la Dinamba Intercultural Association Of Manitoa Inc. (pour contribution exceptionnelle à la francophonie manitobaine et services rendus aux communautés ethnoculturelles 2007;

Alix Jean-Paul

Haitian-Canadian: Retired teacher living in Winnipeg.

Education: Diploma in Pedagogy, B.A.; B.ED.; M.ED. (Social Science); M.Ed. (Education Administration)

Alix Jean-Paul has been involved in Education, Community Development and Human Rights in Winnipeg, Canada, Haiti and Dominican Republic.

• Co-Chair the Winnipeg Mayor’s Task Force on Diversity in 2001 looking into civic practices, policies, procedures and services that would help encourage or discourage various disadvantage groups from enjoying the rights and benefits offered by the City of Winnipeg
• Chair of the African, Black and Caribbean Community Initiative (ABCC) in 2008 dealing with Community Development in Capacity Building

Has participated in many conferences and workshops dealing with Social Inclusion in Manitoba and Canada

Has been working as Independent Consultant in the areas of: Organization Development, Needs Assessment and Capacity Building in Haiti

Has worked with the Department of Canadian Heritage as a Casual Program Officer across Western Canada

Has worked with l’Accueil Francophone in Winnipeg in the area of the Integration of New Francophone Immigrants in Manitoba

Is still working with many charitable organizations in Haiti and Dominican Republic in the construction of schools, churches and orphanages, summer camps and youth leadership

Alix Jean-Paul has received many awards for his engagement in education and social inclusion in Canada, amongst them are:

• The Queen‘s Diamond Jubilee Medal in October 2012
• Special Award of Recognition by the Black Educators Association of Manitoba in 2005
• Special Award by the Dinamba Intercultural Association of Manitoba Inc.
• Special Award by the Black History Committee of Manitoba for his involvement in the promotion of Black History

Alix and his wife Gertrude live in Winnipeg.

Martine Bordeleau

Depuis le début de sa carrière de communicatrice en 1982, Martine Bordeleau a travaillé en radio, en télévision, pour la presse écrite et pour le Web au Canada, en France et au Cameroun. Depuis septembre 2013, elle anime Le 6 à 9 au 88,1 FM, l'émission de radio du matin d'Ici Radio-Canada Première pour le Manitoba et le Nord-Ouest de l'Ontario.

Marie Bouchard

For more than 30 years, Marie Bouchard, a bilingual Metis woman has been a leader in the arts community championing for the inclusion of marginalize artists into the mainstream art scene. Merging her academic and professional art background with her knowledge of social history, she has supported indigenous artists from isolated places, be they geographical, physical, social, economic, or cultural, to move into the center of cultural dialogue. Marie joined The Winnipeg Foundation in 2004. As a Community Grants Associate, she is attuned to those voices that are not heard and encourages projects that bridge the gap between cultures. She has worked diligently to promote diversity and inclusion at the Foundation, chairing the organization’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and promoting equitable grant making practices. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art/History and French, a Master’s Degree in Canadian History and a certificate from the Grantmaking School, Johnson Centre for Philanthropy. She is also a recipient of the YM-YWCA Women of Distinction Award.

Trina Flett

Trina Flett is a proud member of the Fisher River Cree Nation and has ties to the Ojibway and Metis communities of Manitoba.

Prior to joining United Way of Winnipeg, Trina spent 15 years engaged with Indigenous business and non-profits with a focus on sustainability. Her experience includes volunteer management, capital campaign planning, workshop design and facilitation, and community consultation.

As Indigenous Relations Director for United Way of Winnipeg, it is Trina’s responsibility to steward and champion the voice of the Aboriginal Relations Council. In all her work she seeks to weave together diverse perspectives for the betterment of all and to show respect and responsibility for future generations.

Trina is an advocate for philanthropy as an empowering tool for Indigenous people and understands the potential in a thriving Indigenous community. Trina loves to travel, and to gather new perspectives from diverse communities around the world.

Keith Neuman

Keith Neuman, Ph.D. was appointed in November 2011 as the inaugural Executive Director of the Environics Institute.

Keith's previous role at Environics was as Group Vice President responsible for the research company's Public Affairs and Environment-Energy research practice areas, providing leading-edge public opinion research in such areas as energy and environment, natural resources, health care, municipal services, justice, transportation, social policy and Aboriginal issues. Since the 1980s, Keith has conducted a wide range of public opinion and social research projects for public, private and non-profit sector organizations, with leading research firms in Toronto, Halifax and Ottawa.

Keith holds a Ph.D. in Social Ecology from the University of California, and holds the credential of Certified Marketing Research Professional (CMRP). He is a frequent media commentator on social trends and public opinion.

Marta Kalita

Marta immigrated to Canada from Poland in 1989. She has a Masters degree in Sociology.

She has worked with immigrants and refugees in Manitoba since 1990 at Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council/Welcome Place. The MIIC helps newcomer refugees to settle in Manitoba since post World War II and contributes to many researches and policies related to newcomers. Presently Marta is the Director of Settlement Services at MIIC. In her work she concentrates on refugee integration, children’s adaptation to school environment, newcomers’ needs and access to appropriate services, cross cultural communication and public awareness about refugee issues. She is a member of several local and national committees and focus groups and participates in various projects related to refugee issues. Since 2013 she is the vice-President of Manitoba Immigration and Refugee Settlement Sector Association (MIRSSA) and is very much involved in many activities focusing on newcomers’ settlement, community education and to the professionalization of the settlement sector. She is the trained IRB and WRHA interpreter, Intercultural Trainer and the member of Canadian Council for Refugees Settlement Working Group.

Lisa Meeches

Lisa Meeches is one of the most dynamic and respected producers in the film industry, who happens to be an Ojibway from Long Plain First Nation. One of her recent projects, We Were Children, is widely praised by residential school survivors for its power to heal, while general audiences have been moved by this truth of Canada’s colonial past. Ms. Meeches has produced numerous projects for critical acclaim. Among them include: 500 plus episodes of The Sharing Circle, Canada’s longest running Aboriginal television series; Tipi Tales, a Parent’s Choice award winning children’s series; Capote, an Academy Award winning feature film; and Elijah, a Gemini Award winning movie-of-the-week. The list goes on… Lisa conducts her film industry work through her three companies: Eagle Vision Inc, Meeches Video Productions, and Century Street Distribution.

Lisa also devotes considerable time to other causes. Lisa has been critical to the success of the Manito Ahbee Festival since inception 8 years ago where she has acted in the capacity of board chair on a volunteer basis until recently stepping down to assume the role of Executive Director. Lisa also sits on the national board of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Lisa has been the recipient of many local, regional, and national awards for her exemplary contributions in culture, media, and entrepreneurship. Among her many accolades, Lisa is a past recipient of a National Aboriginal Achievement Award. True to her heritage, Lisa practices the customs of her faith and is a renowned champion fancy shawl dancer.