Presented by
Roadmapping The Future
Objectives + Outcomes
- Discuss the current and emerging economic landscape of Northern Manitoba
- Identify key priorities and projects to drive economic growth and increase local capacities
- Strengthen networks between all levels of government, agencies, and organizations
- Highlight the pathways between students, post-secondary, and the job market
Program Highlights
Full agenda and confirmed presenters will be announced as confirmations are finalized
Monday, February 24th - Pre-Conference Programming - Click on the event for more information and registration.
Tuesday February 25
Wednesday February 26
Thursday February 27 | Province of Manitoba - Mining Day
Tuesday April 28
Wednesday April 29
Keynote Speaker
Jordin Tootoo
The First Inuk Player in the NHL | Founder, Team Tootoo Foundation
Jordin Tootoo made history as the first Inuk player to be drafted by the NHL. Over his 13-year career, he played for the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, and Chicago Blackhawks, banking 161 points, including 65 goals, in 723 career games. A trailblazer both on and off the ice, Tootoo has since become a vocal mental health advocate dedicated to giving back to his communities. He delivers a powerful message about resilience and overcoming challenges and adversity to reach our dreams.
Tootoo is the bestselling author of All the Way: My Life on Ice, a searing, honest look at the tragic loss of his brother and his ensuing battle with alcoholism, and Mind Over Matter: Hard- Won Battles on the Road to Hope. He is also the co-founder of the Team Tootoo Foundation with his wife, Jennifer, and in 2016 was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal through the Order of Canada in recognition of his work.
As a keynote speaker, Tootoo openly shares his journey from rising star and fan favourite to losing it all, including his addiction and fight to claim sobriety. This is the story of family, mentors, and tragedy, and one man’s journey to understand how his past struggles gave him the strength to find his own truth.
Our Speakers
Tim Brigham, MA (Geography)
Royal Roads University
Tim is a Learning and Development Advisor with Professional and Continuing Studies at Royal Roads University. In 2004-05, Tim was part of the team that established the first research centre at Royal Roads University focused on the management and utilization of non-timber forest products. Tim’s lifelong fascination with everything our forests have to offer and teach us led to his involvement in designing and delivering training with UCN’s groundbreaking Northern Forest Diversification Centre. This work was the start of Tim’s deep affection for the landscape and people of northern Manitoba.
Tim’s ongoing work focuses on developing and delivering community-based training initiatives to support capacity-building in Indigenous communities. In 2017-18, Tim led the development of Healing the Land, an in-community training program focused on ecosystem restoration, which has been successfully delivered in five communities in northern BC. In 2018-19, Tim led the development of the Certificate in Cultural and Natural Resources Assessment, which provides learners with the skills and knowledge to work as field technicians and conduct biophysical and cultural inventories. Deliveries with both the Kitselas and Haisla Nations achieved an employment rate of more than 80 percent for graduates. Since 2020, much of Tim’s work has focused on the development and delivery of the Professional Project Administrator (PPA) program, funded through the Future Skills Centre (FSC). This innovative program has been delivered for Indigenous learners across eight cohorts and three provinces, with an over 90 percent graduation rate and the majority of learners moving into employment and/or further education. Tim’s most recent work, with support from the FSC, has included building relationships and program delivery projects across northern Canada, including northern Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
Tara Manych
University College of the North
Tara Manych’s career spans 25 years of early childhood education, K-12, adult, and post-secondary education, all rooted in her love of learning and belief in human potential. She’s passionate about using AI as a tool to help students and educators reach new heights, seeing it as a way to personalize learning and support every individual’s growth and mental health. For Tara, student success always comes first – her work is driven by a simple goal: helping learners live their best possible lives.
Rebecca Molinoff
US Consul in Winnipeg
Rebecca Molinoff arrived in Winnipeg as Consul in September 2024. She most recently served as the Acting Deputy Political Counselor in Bucharest, Romania.
She has also served overseas in Jamaica and Moldova and in Washington D.C. as the Latvia and Lithuania Desk Officer, as well as short stints at U.S. Embassy London and the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York.
She has an MPhil degree in International Relations from the University of Oxford and a BA in Government from Dartmouth. She speaks Spanish, French, Icelandic, and Romanian.
Prior to joining the Foreign Service in 2014, Rebecca worked in finance in London, including group strategy roles at multinational corporations Prudential and Lloyds Bank.
Rebecca grew up just across Lake Erie in northeastern Ohio and has fond memories of visiting Canada with her family. She and her husband Alastair have three sons, ages 10, 8, and 2.
Jaye White
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc.
Jaye White is a seasoned Workforce Development professional with more than 30 years of experience in training, recruitment, and retention across diverse sectors including manufacturing, construction, health care, and government. A member of Norway House Cree Nation and raised in The Pas, Manitoba, Jaye has dedicated her career to advancing Indigenous representation in the workforce and strengthening employment and training systems across Manitoba and Alberta.
Jaye’s expertise spans training plan development, client case management, labour force analysis, funding applications and execution, budget management, policy development, and organizational reporting. Throughout her career, she has supported hundreds of individuals in securing meaningful employment and has assisted numerous organizations in achieving and maintaining representative workforces.
During her tenure as Director of Workforce Development & Health Education with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s Aboriginal Health Programs, Jaye cultivated a strong partnership with WRHA Human Resources, co-developing strategies to increase Indigenous participation and promote Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training across the region.
Over 15 combined years with the Manitoba Métis Federation, Jaye developed and sustained successful recruitment and retention partnerships with large employers such as Manitoba Hydro, Interlake Health Authority, and the City of Winnipeg.
Before returning to Manitoba, Jaye served as Executive Director of Helping Circle Employment Services in Calgary, where she built the organization from two staff to a thriving, well‑funded employment service centre. Many of the processes she developed—including financial practices and case management systems—were later adopted across 16 employment centres operated by the Métis Nation of Alberta. Her work included program development, staff management, employer relations, conflict resolution, policy compliance, and building strong partnerships with multiple levels of government.
Driven by her commitment to improving employment and training opportunities for Indigenous people, Jaye has worked extensively with large corporations, Indigenous organizations, and federal partners to expand Indigenous workforce participation. She is currently the Program Director for the Indigenous Skills & Employment Training (ISET) Program with Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc., where she has served since November 1, 2021.
Panelists
Dr. Christine Bovis-Cnossen
Brandon University
President Christine Bovis-Cnossen brings to Brandon University more than 30 years of leadership experience from universities in Canada and the UK — but she is equally passionate about people, community, and building an inclusive future together.
Her career has taken her across the globe: she has been Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of East Anglia in England, Interim President at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, and Vice President Academic at OCAD University in Toronto. Along the way, she has led major projects to strengthen student success, expand research, and grow international opportunities. At UEA, she helped guide the institution back to financial health and expanded recruitment into new markets. At TRU, she championed open learning, supported Indigenous education, and helped secure accreditation that put the university on the world stage.
Christine is also a sociologist by training, with research focusing on equity, gender, and military service. She has been recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and is a lifelong advocate for transparency and collaboration in academic leadership.
Outside the office, Christine has a love of theatre, film, and art, and is happiest when exploring a new exhibition. She also has a soft spot for classic cars and motorcycles. Whether she’s at a graduation ceremony, walking through campus, or joining a community event, she brings warmth, openness, and a genuine interest in the people around her.
Doug Lauvstad
University College of the North
Doug is currently President and Vice Chancellor of University College of the North, a position he has held since August, 2017. This unique institution provides educational and training opportunities on campuses and centres throughout northern Manitoba. Prior to joining UCN, Doug was the Executive Director, of the Northern Manitoba Sector Council, an association of northern Manitoba largest industry sectors (mining, forestry, energy) The focus of Doug’s career is on building and sustaining a skilled, prosperous northern Manitoba.
Fred Meier
RRC Polytech
Fred Meier became President and CEO of RRC Polytech – Manitoba’s only polytechnic institution – in 2020, leading the College through transformative academic and institutional growth.
Fred’s vision has guided RRC Polytech in embracing its identity as a polytechnic, launching a bold strategic plan to anticipate industry needs and prepare a workforce for the jobs of tomorrow. Key priorities include delivering industry-aligned programming for over 20,000 students, advancing Truth and Reconciliation, embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion, and deepening industry partnerships in Manitoba and beyond.
Under Fred’s leadership, RRC Polytech surpassed the $60-million target for its largest-ever fundraising campaign in under two years. He also played a pivotal role in establishing the Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics and the Schroeder Institute of Entertainment and Media Arts, solidifying the College’s leadership in applied research and work-integrated learning.
Fred emphasizes collaboration and fostering a positive, inclusive work environment, recognizing employee engagement as essential to institutional success. He is also deeply committed to Truth and Reconciliation, seeking guidance and learning from Knowledge Keepers, Elders and Grandmothers in Residence to incorporate Indigenous knowledge into College practices, from policies to the naming of spaces.
Before joining RRC Polytech, Fred held senior leadership roles in Manitoba’s public service, including as Clerk of Executive Council and Secretary to Cabinet. He holds a Master of Science from the University of Manitoba. An avid cyclist, Fred enjoys exploring the outdoors, curling, and spending time with his family.
Medicine Wheel Teachings Facilitators
Regan McLellan
Elder Linda Neckoway
Lynda’s spirit name is Red Blanket Woman, and she is a mother, gramma, auntie, sister and helper from Fox Lake Cree Nation, Makaso Sakahigan, Gillam area on Treaty Five. She has two diplomas: one in community-centred therapy and addictions counselling. Lynda is formally trained in the creative arts and teaching and has worked in counselling for over forty years. She enjoys being by the water because it feels serene. Lynda believes in living a good way of life by attending ceremonies and supporting others to do the same. She is a Manitoba Winter Games and Murdered and Missing Women’s Organization volunteer in honour of her missing sister. She understands the medicine wheel as a set of directions and guidance for life.
Book Your Stay!
Super 8 by Wyndham
Phone: 204-778-0040
Best Western Thompson Hotel & Suites
205 Mystery Lake Rd
Thompson MB R8N 1Y8
Phone: 204-778-8887
For information on registration, please contact Kelly Watters: ucnlinkages@outlook.com
CONTACT US
Kelly Watters
Kelly Forgala Events
ucnlinkages@outlook.com
204 391 4419