[cid:image001.png@01DA284E.BF630A30] Message from Dr. Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Angie Bruce as the new Vice-President (Indigenous) of the University of Manitoba.

Ms. Bruce will join UM to begin her term on February 1, 2024. At that time, we will officially welcome her to the UM community and look forward to supporting her as she continues to advance the priorities of the Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous).

An impactful and collaborative leader, Ms. Bruce brings experience and success working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and Nations, communities, local, regional and federal governments and organizations, and across the non-Indigenous public, private and non-profit sectors. Currently, Ms. Bruce is the Assistant Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada's Nòkwewashk – the first Government of Canada departmental team to be gifted its name by Indigenous Elders. In her capacity, Ms. Bruce grew the Indigenous Natural Resource Program to $100 million and supported the first natural resources international missions that highlighted Indigenous-led partnerships and business around the world. Ms. Bruce also led the development of an Indigenous Research Ethics policy for the department, changing the way scientists engage and partner with Indigenous Nations across Canada.

Prior to her role at Natural Resources Canada, Ms. Bruce was Manitoba's Indigenous and Northern Relations and Municipal Relations Deputy Minister, where she led the highest number of Treaty Land Entitlement land transfers in the province’s history. She has also held senior positions with the Legacy of Hope Foundation and the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, organizations that worked to support the education and awareness of Residential Schools and the healing of Survivors.

Ms. Bruce brings significant experience in Indigenous research as a leader on projects for the Government of Canada, Government of Manitoba, City of Winnipeg, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and the Manitoba Métis Federation, with a focus on Indigenous-led processes and program delivery.

Ms. Bruce is a proud Red River Métis woman tied to her home community of St. Laurent, Manitoba. Ms. Bruce grew up in the Métis culture and credits the strong maternal figures in her family for instilling a connection to the land, community, culture and spirit.

Ms. Bruce is a UM alum and holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Asper School of Business. She is currently a PhD Candidate at Nipissing University.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize Dr. Catherine Cook for her visionary leadership. As the first-ever Vice-President (Indigenous), Dr. Cook has been a collaborative, patient, yet assertive, leader and a strong mentor for Indigenous women working to change colonial structures. During her term, she oversaw the Indigenous Senior Leadership projects, six initiativeshttps://umanitoba.ca/about-um/vice-president-indigenous/engaging-community-expanding-indigenous-leadership created to advance Indigenous engagement, success and governance at UM and to build a culturally safe environment for Indigenous students, staff, faculty and guests. Her work to address post-secondary organizational and structural gaps and barriers to First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, will impact both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people for generations. I am thankful she has extended her term until the end of January 2024.

Please join me in thanking Dr. Cook and in congratulating Ms. Bruce on this new role where she will continue the legacy of exemplary leadership for the Vice-President (Indigenous) portfolio.

Thank you. Miigwetch.

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Michael Benarroch, Ph.D. President and Vice-Chancellor 202 Administration Building, University of Manitoba Winnipeg MB R3T 2N2 Canada Telephone: 204-474-9345 Email: president@umanitoba.camailto:president@umanitoba.ca

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