Learning from the Land, in the City

Matt Carreau

Urbanist, Designer

Matt is passionate about cities, design and 'whole systems thinking'. He initiated this project to start a dialogue about the need for more holistic ways of thinking about cities and problems rooted in the wisdom of ecology. Matt loves organizing learning events that bring interdisciplinary groups together to generate creative ideas. He was the lead organizer for Jane's Walk in Winnipeg from 2011 to 2016.

Marika Olynyk

Ecologist,
Environmental Educator

Marika works in the areas of ecology, environmental education, and public engagement. She is excited to contribute to this project as she strives to facilitate meaningful opportunities for people to connect with the natural world and explore their role within it.

Barbara and Clarence Nepinak

Elders

Barbara and Clarence Nepinak are members of Pine Creek First Nation who reside in Winnipeg. Retired from federal public service, they continue to be active on various Boards and committees and have received numerous awards recognizing their positive contributions to cultural awareness, education, and support of Indigenous organizations. These include the Recognition Award for “Honouring Women of Distinction” awarded to Barbara by the Interprovincial Association of Native Employment in Manitoba, as well as the Grandmothers Award for Keeping the Fires Burning with Ka ni kanichihk. Together Barbara and Clarence are recipients of the Knowledge Keepers Award from the Circle of Educators and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for being Cultural Ambassadors. They are founders and coordinators of the Summer Bear Dance Troupe and they partner with Seven Oaks School Division for a Heritage Language Program. They have 2 daughters and 4 granddaughters.

Dave Pancoe

Manager, Special Projects, The Forks

Speaker bio will appear here shortly.

Cary Hamel

Director of Conservation, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Manitoba Region

Cary has more that 15 years' experience with field surveys, research and integrating knowledge for on-the-ground conservation action. He leads a team of land protection, stewardship and science professionals and recently became a Conservation Coaches Network coach, and he sits on the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife Species in Canada Vascular Plants Species Subcommittee. He has also served as president of the Friends of Birds Hill Park, on the Manitoba Breeding Bird Atlas steering committee and on the Manitoba Endangered Species and Ecosystem Advisory Committee. Cary lives among the farms and fields of southern Manitoba.

John Wyndels

Senior policy analyst at Province of Manitoba Disabilities Issues Office 

Photo by Lindsay Reid.

Allen Sutherland, Waabiskhi Mazinishin Mishtadim (White Spotted Horse)

Lodge Keeper, Facilitator, Trainer

An Anishinaabek member of Skownan First Nation (Treaty 2 Territory) and of the Bizhiw doodem (Lynx Clan).,

Allen had the opportunity of working within governments, and grassroots community work for over 30 years. Allen provides facilitation and training under his own company of WHITE SPOTTED HORSE, Inc, where he is a sought-after resources person on the First Nation history and cultures of the Anishinaabe of Canada. He is a Registered Professional Trainer (RPT), Professional Certified Heritage Interpreter and a Certified Master Practitioner of Time Line Therapy. Allen’s strong Anishinaabek roots run deep and always present, leaving him in the unique position of being a conduit between many diverse cultures. The ultimate goal of learning the Indigenous Cultural Historical perspective is to build a greater understanding and respect of the ‘Indigenous World View’. It’s about reconciliation and relationship building.

Allen is a member of the Speakers Bureau of the Treaty Relationships Commission of Manitoba and is employed as Keeper of Circles and Life Long Learning Lodge Keeper for the Government of First Nations Treaty 2 Territory. He resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba, of Treaty One Territory.