Martha Peet, Inuit elder and storyteller from Taloyaok, Nunavut, telling stories is about sharing her own experiences and the traditional Inuit way of life.

Taloyaok was founded in 1948 when the HBC established a trading post. Five nomadic families moved in, including hers. Peet was born in 1950. “I was there from the beginning. I lived in an igloo in the winter and a tent in the summer. My job as a child was collecting cotton in the summer, for the wick on the seal oil (soapstone) lamp (fueled by blubber). I always had chores. I carried water twice a day from the lake. I made bannock and tea. We boiled our meat, seal and caribou,” she says.

A storyteller for over 30 years, Peet enjoys sharing stories about her life, where she is from, and the Inuit way of life of years ago including the importance of animals and traditions.

Barbara Bruce is a citizen of the Red River Métis Nation – Michif aen Otipemisiwak.  Her beliefs of Indigenous traditional teachings are reflected in all of the work she takes on.

A Sundancer, Sweatlodge leader, and Pipe Carrier, her dedication to advancing the rightful place, recognition and acknowledgment of the Two Spirit community, Indigenous women, and children and youth are an integral part of her life.

Some of her past and current board appointments include: National Aboriginal Economic Development Board, Manitoba Communities Economic Development Fund, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, Top 40 Under 40, University of Winnipeg Board of Regents and Chair of the Metis Child and Family Services Authority. Most recently, she Co-Led a working group for the University of Manitoba on Identity Fraud

Barbara has been recognized and honoured for her work by the Human Rights Commission of Manitoba for her significant contributions to promoting Indigenous rights and equality. She was honoured by ‘Keeping the Fires Burning’ as a Kookum/Grandmother for her contribution of the wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples. Sageeng First Nation honoured her for her extensive contribution to economic development in First Nation and Métis communities.  In recognition of her lifetime of work, she was inducted into the Order of Manitoba in 2018. In 2020, she was acknowledged in the Manitoba legislative Assembly in a Member’s Statement for her work and contribution as a Two Spirit Elder. In 2021, she received the Nellie McClung Manitoba 150 Women Trailblazer Award. In November 2022 she received the Natural Resources Canada Departmental Achievement Award in the category of Workplace Culture and Wellness and she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal of Manitoba in December 2022. 

Ruth Ola is the Quality System Manager at KGS Group Consulting Engineers and Project Managers. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE), Ruth is a leader whose experience spans across developing, implementing, improving, and executing Quality Management Systems (QMS). She works with the highest levels of corporate leadership in implementing continuous improvement and lean processes, and in business process design and strategic planning.

Ruth has a Master’s degree in Geography and worked as a Geographic Information System (GIS) professional in the earlier part of her career.

Ruth is the co-founder of The Prowezz Company Inc, a team focusing on developing leaders and agents of change. She is also an ASQConnEx expert with American Society for Quality (ASQ), delivering training for individuals, organizations, and communities, helping them to achieve excellence through quality.

She is the Section Chair of ASQ Manitoba. She coaches with the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association (WMBA).

Jeanine’s post-secondary educational journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Development Studies at Renison College at the University of Waterloo, followed by a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at York University, and a Master of Social Work and Doctor of Philosophy (Social Work) at the University of Toronto.

During Jeanine’s doctoral studies, she had the opportunity to teach at York University, the University of Toronto, and at Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. Additionally, Jeanine has extensive leadership experience within the college sector including that of Program Coordinator, Associate Dean at Humber, and formerly as Dean for the Centre for Justice & Human Services at Lethbridge College.

Jeanine has a passion for creating pathways for non-traditional learners and ensuring everyone has access to education. She brings a collaborative, values-based strategic leadership style with extensive experience in strategic planning, program development, program evaluation and renewal, and project management.

Outside of work, Jeanine enjoys reading, hiking, photography, traveling, volunteering within the community, and most importantly, spending time with family and friends.

Mandy is a full status member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, born and raised in The Pas/ Opaskwayak Cree Nation area of northern Manitoba.  Mandy’s personal academic journey has not been easy or smooth, and her eventual success forged a dedication to use her education to assist those individuals who felt, like she once did, that university or college would never be an option. 

Mandy is the Registrar and Director of Enrolment Services at Red River College Polytechnic. Her portfolio includes Admissions, Student Records, Timetabling, Financial Aid and Customer Service.

Manpreet Kaur is the President of the Red River College Polytechnic Students’ Association, where she helps students and acts as a bridge between the college and the students’ association. She came to Canada as an international Student at RRC Polytech and is pursuing Business Technology Management. She also sits on the Board of Governors at RRC Polytech as a student representative.

Her role as president is to lead the organization, be the main spokesperson, and support the rest of the executive team. She communicates and encourages the team and works towards making our organization, the college, and our community a more welcoming and inclusive environment. She oversees and chairs committees where she needs to be efficient and organized. Manpreet always puts her best foot forward and is eager to learn, self-motivated, and willing to help and get involved. Her role requires her to collaborate, be creative, and problem-solving in our fast-paced student environment.