Allen Sutherland, Waabishki Mazinazoot Mishtaatim, White Spotted Horse, Anishinaabe, of the Bizhiw Doodem (Lynx Clan), Skownan First Nation, Treaty 2 Territory.

Allen Sutherland is the Life Long Learning Lodge Keeper, Government of First Nations Treaty 2 Territory. Allen is an independent consultant and provides facilitation and training under his company WHITE SPOTTED HORSE.

In 2014, he was the recipient of the Aboriginal Circle of Educators Researcher and/or Curriculum Development Award for developing the Canadian Indigenous Historical Timeline poster that is now used in the Treaty Kits of Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba.

Allen is an Anishinaabek Traditional Knowledge Keeper, providing traditional Ceremonies, Teachings, spiritual advice, and healing.

Albert McLeod is a Status Indian with ancestry from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and the Métis community of Norway House in northern Manitoba. He has over 30 years of experience as a human rights activist and is one of the directors of Two-Spirited People of Manitoba. 

Albert began his Two-Spirit advocacy in Winnipeg in 1986 and became an HIV/AIDS activist in 1987. He was the director of the Manitoba Aboriginal AIDS Task Force from 1991 to 2001. In 2018, Albert received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Winnipeg. 

Albert lives in Winnipeg where he works as a consultant specializing in Indigenous Peoples, cultural reclamation, and cross-cultural training.

Janice Millar is an Ininew and Métis woman born and raised In Winnipeg. She worked in the Winnipeg School Division for 37 years in counselling, helping Indigenous students and education, and supporting teachers, vice principals, principals, directors, and school board committee members. The foundation of her work is creating a clear path to success for Indigenous students and equitable learning environments for everyone.

Grandmother Janice was schooled in western education and was taught Indigenous education by the Old People (Indigenous people who had come before her).

Grandmother Ivy is a full-blood Dakota with ancestral roots in Sioux Valley First Nation and marriage ties to Sayisi Dené First Nation, and she was born and raised in a traditional family and community. She is known as a Warrior by her family for her strength and perseverance after having fought her way through Residential School and many adversities in her life.

She has dedicated her life to serving her community and creating a strong urban foundation for future generations. She takes great pride in her work, particularly in organizing the inaugural walk for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People. Throughout her career, she has co-founded numerous organizations, contributed to schools and post-secondary institutions, and provided invaluable guidance to various government departments.

Belinda is from Opaskwayak Cree Nation in The Pas, Manitoba. She was born at home by a midwife and raised in the Ininew tradition, speaking the language. She grew up on the Big Eddy reserve before attending Residential School in 1957 for 10 years. Sober for 49 years, she hosted the annual Honoring Our Sobriety event for 16 years until 2023. 

In 1993, at age 45, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies and Psychology. She is passionate about helping others heal, leading women’s retreats and workshops, and attending and presenting at conferences like Healing Our Spirit Worldwide and many others. Belinda speaks on the impacts of colonization and Residential Schools on Indigenous people.

She served on the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, as well as other Indigenous organizations. Now retired at 76, she remains active in community events, traditional ceremonies, and workshops, and is invited to teach traditional knowledge in schools.

Helen is Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) from Dauphin River First Nation in Manitoba’s Interlake region, now residing in Winnipeg, Treaty 1 territory. Fluent in Anishinaabemowin, Helen is passionate about preserving her language and culture – she is a lifelong educator and has been a teacher, teacher-lead, consultant and most recently the Director of Indigenous Inclusion Directorate with the Province of Manitoba. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Education from the University of Manitoba. She is actively involved in several educational, community, and health initiatives, including as chair for the Shawane Dagoswin Aboriginal Education Research Forum and co-chair of the Manitoba Indigenous Youth Achievement Awards, and Executive member of both End Homelessness Winnipeg and the Rehabilitation Center for Children. 

She lives the Good Life as an Anishinaabe-kwe, a proud mother and Kookum, sharing her knowledge and teachings.

Paul Guimond, a member of the Turtle Clan with the Spirit Name Okonace, Little Eagle Bone, has dedicated his life to community service and spiritual leadership. He studied Counselling Skills at the University of Manitoba and is a certified coach in hockey, baseball, and lacrosse.

Elder Paul served for 20 years on Sagkeeng’s Chief & Council and as School Board Chairman for a decade. He is a Sundance Bundle Carrier (Chief), Sweat Lodge Bundle Carrier (Water Drum), and Dark Room Bundle Carrier. He is also an active Elder with the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba and Sagkeeng Child & Family Services, where he offers healing and guidance through Ceremonies and programming.

In 2018, Elder Paul joined the Elder-in-Residence Program at Red River College Polytechnic, where he continues to support personal growth and spiritual development.

Richard, a member of the Sturgeon Clan with the Spirit Name Mashkode – Bizhiki (Buffalo Man), is Métis. He discovered the Red Road through his experience as a foster parent with Sagkeeng Child and Family Services. His journey of reconnecting with his Indigeneity, along with attending Sweat Lodges and Sundances, helped him overcome personal challenges, including a workplace injury that ended his career in mining.

For the past three years, Richard has served as a Knowledge Keeper at Sagkeeng Anicinabe High School, where he leads youth in traditional practices such as medicine picking, collecting grandfathers (sacred stones for Sweat Lodges), gathering firewood, and harvesting tiipii poles. He and his wife, Tammy, have four children and four grandchildren. Richard also facilitates workshops in medicine picking, hand drum building, and Sweat Lodges with organizations such as Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Center, Sagkeeng Child and Family Services, and RRC Polytech.

Barbara Bruce is a citizen of the Métis Nation – Michif aen Otipemisiwak and Two-Spirit. She integrates Métis and other Indigenous traditional teachings into her work.

As a lifelong advocate for the Two-Spirit community, Métis and Indigenous women, and children, Barbara has served on numerous boards, including the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, and the University of Winnipeg Board of Regents.

Her contributions have been widely recognized, including honors from the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, Sagkeeng First Nation, and Keeping the Fires Burning. She was inducted into the Order of Manitoba in 2018 and named one of 150 Manitoba Women Trailblazers by the Nellie McClung Foundation.