Clayton Sandy and Connie Walker are being recognized with honorary doctorates at The University of Winnipeg’s 122nd Convocation on Monday, June 19 and Tuesday, June 20.
“The University of Winnipeg is proud to recognize these exceptional community leaders at its Spring Convocation,” said Dr. Todd Mondor, President and Vice-Chancellor. “Both Clayton Sandy, who has dedicated his life to advancing reconciliation, and Connie Walker, who has worked tirelessly to build a more inclusive and caring Winnipeg, exemplify the tremendous impact that an individual dedicated to serving the community can have.”
Clayton Sandy – Knowledge keeper, cultural advisor, and community activist
Clayton Sandy will be recognized at UWinnipeg’s Spring Convocation ceremony taking place on Monday, June 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Clayton is a respected knowledge keeper, cultural advisor, and community activist who has spent his working life educating generations of non-Indigenous people in the province about the history of Indigenous people.
His home community is Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation.
In Clayton’s 38 years of service, he’s had the opportunity to work in many provincial government departments, including Natural Resources, Energy and Mines, Labour, Civil Service Commission, Family Services, and Education and Training. He also did a two-year secondment at Stony Mountain Institution.
Clayton is the epitome of community bridge-building leadership in action, as he seizes every opportunity to work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous leadership to engage people and advance truth and reconciliation.
Diane Redsky, UWinnipeg Honorary Doctor of Laws recipient and Executive Director of the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, says Clayton has worked tirelessly over the years to make significant contributions to the growth and development of Winnipeg’s urban Indigenous community.
She added that Clayton’s work throughout the decades has inspired other Manitobans and shows that one person guided by a greater purpose can, and does, make all the difference.
From 2016 to 2020, Clayton was the Indigenous Ambassador for Circles of Reconciliation, a non-profit grassroots community project that seeks to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. During his time in this role, he trained more than 150 facilitators.
Clayton is an active volunteer. He was President of the First Nations Pavilion at Folklorama, Knowledge Keeper and Cultural Advisor for MacDonald Youth Services, and chaired and participated on many boards in his community, the province, and at the national level. He is a frequent consultant with Immigration Partnership Winnipeg, where he helps educate newcomers about the Treaties.
Clayton also attended and presented his life narrative at the Truth and Reconciliation conferences across Canada.
Connie Walker – Devoted community builder
Connie Walker will be recognized at UWinnipeg’s Spring Convocation ceremony taking place on Tuesday, June 20 at 9:30 a.m.
Walker is a devoted community builder who developed a deep understanding of the community and issues of poverty, racism, inequity, and exclusion early in her career as a public health nurse working in Winnipeg’s most impoverished neighbourhoods.
In addition to her Bachelor of Nursing and MBA from the University of Manitoba, Walker also graduated from the Executive Development Program at the Ivey School of Business.
After 22 years in public service at the City of Winnipeg, Walker returned to the community, joining United Way Winnipeg in 2008 as Vice-President of Community Investment. In 2014, she was named President and Chief Executive Officer.
During her tenure with United Way Winnipeg, Walker has been a passionate leader who’s inspired thousands of Winnipeggers from across the community to work together to make Winnipeg better for all. Under her leadership, United Way Winnipeg volunteers and donors raised more than $160 million, enabling stable, multi-year funding for the-more-than 125 frontline agencies and programs that help youth achieve their potential, families move out of poverty, and improve the health of people and their neighbourhoods.
Deeply committed to working in partnership and to addressing systemic inequities, Walker also led the organization’s focus on social innovation to end homelessness and create youth mental health hubs.
Among other things, Walker championed the strengthening of family resource centres, the introduction of the 211 phone service to make it easier for all Manitobans to connect with local supports, and the creation of a consortium of Winnipeg businesses to increase Indigenous youth employment.
Walker’s strong leadership was evident through the global pandemic when community needs grew significantly and fundraising became more challenging. United Way Winnipeg played a critical role, serving as a testimony to Walker’s unwavering commitment to the city’s most vulnerable populations.
In recognition of exceptional service, achievement, and distinction, The University of Winnipeg presents a variety of awards to deserving members of the University and wider community at our Convocation ceremonies. Learn more about our 122nd Convocation.
