What does a renewed relationship between Indigenous peoples and other Canadians look like?

A number of prominent Canadians are coming to the U of M to join students in a discussion about some of the biggest issues facing our country, and what a renewed relationship between Indigenous peoples and other Canadians would need to look like in order to bring about positive change.

On Thursday, the U of M Aboriginal Students’ Association (UMASA) will host members of Canadians For a New Partnership (CFNP), including CFNP president and CEO Stephen Kakfwi, former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Joe Clark, U of M senior advisor and CFNP board member Ovide Mercredi and Phil Fontaine, owner and president of Ishknoigan Consulting and Mediation, Inc.

“We are very excited to have such great leaders come to the University of Manitoba and share their thoughts and ideas,” said Jeremy McKay, UMASA coordinator. “I am equally excited about the opportunity to share some of my thoughts and ideas that I have come across through my studies at the University of Manitoba.”

Around 140 students have already preregistered for the event, which will include breakout roundtable discussions in areas such as the economy, health care, politics and education. The goal is to have an equal number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students sitting at each table, along with experts from the community who have been invited to inform the discussions.

“As an Indigenous person I know all to well the challenges that exist today in our communities,” said McKay. “The key issue we want students to engage in discussion about is how to achieve a true partnership between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in this country.

The event is taking place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Jan. 22 in the Pinnacle Room at Investors Group Field. All students are welcome to attend.

Preregistration is encouraged. You can do so by emailing your name and roundtable preference to: Jeremy McKay at umasacouncil@gmail.com