The University of Winnipeg is pleased to announce the reinstated Indigenous Community Advisory Circle (ICAC). Originally known as the Indigenous Advisory Circle (IAC), it was formed in 2011 as the Masters of Development Practice Indigenous Advisory Circle, to guide the development of the MDP program, then grew and shifted to encompass an institution-wide mandate. In 2022, the previous iteration of the IAC ended with a closing ceremony held for members in 2024. Now, in 2025, the body has been reinstated as the ICAC.
The overarching purpose of the ICAC is to ensure local external Indigenous community input into important matters at the University, including Reconciliation, Indigenous excellence, governance, programming, and service delivery.
“On behalf of The University of Winnipeg, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the former members of the IAC, some of whom contributed their time, energy, and wisdom to UWinnipeg for a decade,” said Dr. Chantal Fiola, Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Engagement. “I thank the Indigenous political bodies for identifying a representative, as well as UWinnipeg’s Indigenous Staff and Faculty Roundtable for their suggestions for members. I am humbled and grateful to the new ICAC members who have accepted my invitation and agreed to help guide us forward on our shared journey towards truth, Reconciliation, and Indigenous excellence. The ICAC presents a significant opportunity for UWinnipeg to better understand the critical importance of building and maintaining meaningful relationships with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, and of accountability to Indigenous community.”
Dr. Fiola also said that great care was taken to include diverse Indigenous representation across gender, sexuality, age, nation, and region.
Responsibilities of the ICAC
The ICAC will provide vision, leadership, guidance, oversight, and accountability on issues impacting the University’s Indigenous community, external Indigenous community, and the general University community.
It will help ensure that processes, programs, and initiatives are guided by the collective experience and wisdom of Indigenous Peoples and reflect a commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous excellence. It will also advise on matters related to local, national, and international Indigenous communities and advance meaningful engagement with Indigenous Peoples, leaders, and organizations.
The ICAC will also liaise with other committees such as the Indigenous Academic Advisory Committee (IAAC) to advise on community needs. The committee will operate by consensus, with member terms lasting three years.
Members include:
- Tyler Lavallee (Cree), Executive Director, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC)
- Kate Kent (Anishinaabe), Political Operations Manager, Southern Chiefs Organization (SCO)
- Mary Jayne Armstrong (Oji-Cree), Senior Health Analyst, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO)
- Will Goodon (Métis), Minister of Housing and Property Management, Minister of Identity Protection and Inter-Indigenous Relations, Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF)
- Maxine Angoo (Inuit), Executive Director, Tunngasugit Inc.
- Dodie Jordaan (Cree), Interim CEO, Winnipeg Indigenous Executive Council (WIEC)
- Albert McLeod (Cree/Métis), Two-Spirit Elder and Indigenous Cultural Facilitator
- Kyle Mason (Anishinaabe), Entrepreneur and Consultant
- Monica Cyr (Métis), Director of Research, Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre
- Chair: Kali Moss (Cree), Founder and Principal Consultant, Sage Solutions
- Secretary: Tegan Ledoux (Métis), 5th year UWinnipeg student
New to this iteration of the ICAC, Board of Regents Chair Michelle Pereira was elected to represent the board, and Dr. Cathy Mattes will represent the Senate.
“I hope to build a relationship between the ICAC, senior administration, the Board of Regents, and Senate to ensure Indigenous perspectives help guide governance at UWinnipeg,” said Dr. Fiola.
Learn more about the ICAC on the committee’s web page. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 16 and will include an opening ceremony conducted by Knowledge Carrier Cecil Sveinson.
