Aboriginal Student Services Centre (ASSC)

Elders in Residence

The Aboriginal Student Services Centre (ASSC) is proud to have the wisdom and knowledge of our council of Elders. In addition to the traditional teachings and cultural activities held within the ASSC, our Elders provide guest lectures, counseling services and guidance for all students, faculty and support staff on campus. Our Elders are available Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.  - 4:30 p.m. in the ASSC RM 2L02C

The ASSC Lodge Ceremonies are held the last Friday of every month beginning in September - April in Selkirk, Manitoba. All University of Winnipeg students, faculty and support staff are welcome to attend. Registration for the lodge ceremony is required and lodge protocol will be provided prior to the beginning of the ceremony.

The ASSC has been outfitted with a special ventilation system for smudging and ceremonial purposes. Any member of the University of Winnipeg has access to the four scared medicines; Tobacco, Sage, Sweetgrass and Cedar which are located within the Elders office.

ASSC Elder Biographies

 Elder Levinia Brown

Levinia was born in Dawson Inlet - just south of Whale Cove, in 1947. At a time when there were no nurses, doctors, or government services in that area, she was delivered by her father. After completing her early education at schools in Chesterfield Inlet and Churchill, Manitoba, Ms. Brown became the first teaching aid in Rankin Inlet. A graduate of St. Anthony Hospital in La Pas, Manitoba, Ms. Brown has worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the Northwest Territories, British Columbia, and Alberta.

In 1978, Levinia Brown received her certification as a Northwest Territories Classroom Assistant and was instrumental in establishing an eastern board program (EATEP) in Iqaluit, and in 1980 she became the first chairperson of the Keewatin Regional Education Authority.After serving as an information officer, chairperson of the local housing authority, and deputy mayor, Levinia Brown became the first woman mayor of Rankin Inlet. Establishing working relationships between government agencies and community governments was a high priority during her term. A successful career in municipal politics provided a natural step to territorial politics for Ms. Brown Elected Member for Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove on February 16, 2004, the Honourable Levinia Brown was selected by MLAs to sit on the Executive Council. On March 9, 2004, Premier Paul Okalik named Ms. Brown Deputy Premier.

The Honourable Levinia Brown is a role model and leader for Nunavut's youth. Dedicating her life to the development and promotion of community capacity building for health and social services, she projects a positive outlook on life. Her belief that life is a precious opportunity that should not be wasted is clearly expressed in her thirst for education, strength in leadership, and compassion for social issues. Levinia Brown is married to Ron Brown. Together, they have 7 children and 3 custom adopted children.

 

Elder Ruth Christie

Ruth was born in Loon Straits on Lake Winnipeg and has spent many years as a licensed practical nurse in Manitoba. Ruth is a member of Peguis First Nation and is very active member in the local community, volunteering on various boards and committees namely, The Treaty Land and Entitlement - Land Selection and Acquisition Advisory Committee and Board member for the Restoration of the St. Peter's Stone Church in Selkirk. Ruth comes with much experience to our centre serving as an Elder for the Selkirk Friendship Centre, Lord Selkirk School Division and Daily Bread Soup Kitchen. Ruth is well known and regarded for her in-depth knowledge of Aboriginal history, stories and legends. Ruth who currently resides in Selkirk Manitoba, is a proud parent and grandmother to her 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren and lives by the code `RED' Rest-Exercise-Diet. If you would like to speak with Ruth please feel free to stop by the Elders office RM 2L02C on Wednesday's 

Elder Margaret Osborne

Margaret is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and is fluent in her language. Margaret possesses a Bachelor of Education from the Brandon University and a Counselling Certificate from the University of Manitoba. She has worked with students, youth and adults throughout most of her adult life. She has utilized her skills to assist others to deal with their, emotional, mental, spiritual and physical state of being. Margaret will be assisting any student who would like to participate in arts and crafts in the Elders Office in the Aboriginal Student Lounge. Her motto is, “I aspire to inspire before I expire!”
 

Elder Hector Pierre

Hector is a member of Roseau River First Nation and is fluent in the Anishinabe language. Hector had been selected to be one of the Spiritual Advisors for the North American Indigenous Games; he has conducted numerous sharing circles and possesses knowledge of the Seven Teachings of Life. He is the proud father of three daughters and eight grand children.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with an Elder, please contact:

Jeffrey Booth
Aboriginal Student Support Officer
Aboriginal Student Services Centre
Tel: 204.786.9818
Email: j.booth@uwinnipeg.ca