MDP - Indigenous Development- UWinnipeg

10/16/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 Masters in Development Practice graduates!

MDP is bursting with pride as we celebrate such a big milestone. These graduates bring us over 100 alumni who have graduated from the MDP program since it began. That's over 100 changemakers, over 100 journeys, and over 100 MDP'ers doing the work.

Over the past 2–3 years, these graduates have worked humbly and tirelessly—learning, inspiring, overcoming challenges, and elevating themselves both personally and professionally. It has been our absolute honour to walk alongside such talented, passionate individuals.

To Gurpreet Singh, Fiona Slota, Leslie Kirkness, Jackie Dormer, Brent Wennekes, Britney Ch*****ne and Rayna Daniels (L-R) we can't wait to see where your journey takes you next. The future is bright, and we'll be cheering you on every step of the way!

MDP community, join us in congratulating our graduates in the comments below! 🎉

10/02/2026

MDP community please help in welcoming Erin Stranger a proud Anishinaabe Ikwe from Sagkeeng First Nation. Read caption for more.
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My name is Erin Stranger, and I am from Sagkeeng First Nation. I am pursuing the Master’s in Development Practice because I want to deepen my understanding on the importance of Indigenous research methodologies that allow me to seek alternative perspectives and resolutions to the issues that continue to marginalize the lives of Indigenous peoples.

I currently work with young people who have experienced childhood trauma, homelessness, addictions, and substance misuse. Through this work, I have come to understand how challenging and emotionally demanding supporting our relatives can be. I strive to bring forward Indigenous perspectives and worldviews that honor culture, identity, relationships, and belonging. The impacts of colonialism and systems that perpetuate the ongoing discrimination for Indigenous people further harms disconnection to their identity, culture and community. I believe the MDP Program will strengthen my understanding of critical systems change and help me advocate for Indigenous voices while navigating systems that continue to impact our people. It is imperative that we remain connected to who we are, where we come from, and the responsibilities we carry to one another

[bio continued in comments]

09/23/2026

Welcoming our new Acting Chair, MDP: Associate Professor Danika Littlechild Danika Billie

We are delighted to announce that Associate Professor Danika Littlechild is stepping into the role of Acting Chair of the Master’s in Development Practice (MDP).

“MDP is situated within Global College, and Danika's appointment represents the first instance of a professor being hired with a specific teaching allocation to the MDP program,” notes Dr. Shauna Labman, Executive Director of Global College. “Since her arrival, Danika has contributed considerable knowledge and care to the MDP program, its students, alumni, and partners, and we are delighted that she is assuming this leadership role.”

Danika has served on the MDP Graduate Program Committee since joining the University in 2024 as part of the UW cluster hire, which brought eight new Indigenous faculty members to the institution to advance reconciliation and increase diverse representation.

Before joining the University of Winnipeg, Danika was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Law and Legal Studies in the Faculty of Global Affairs at Carleton University from 2020–2024. Prior to her academic career, she practiced law for two decades, working with and for Indigenous Peoples across Canada and internationally, with a focus on governance, rights, and the environment.

Since joining UW, Danika has served on several university committees, including the Senate Curriculum Committee, Indigenous Pathways to Graduate Studies Program Committee, Indigenous Summer Scholars Program Committee, and the Impact + Research Chairs Nomination Review Committee. She is a member of the Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences, where she teaches courses related to environment and law.

Since 2024, Danika has also led the MDP Graduate Seminar in Development Practice, bringing Indigenous leadership in the field into conversation with MDP students and creating learning momentum at the nexus of theory and practice.

Danika is a member of Ermineskin Cree Nation in Maskwacis, Alberta (Treaty 6 territory). She grew up in Ermineskin, the home First Nation of her late father, and returned in 2002 to practice law on reserve and live in the family home. Her late mother is from Kehewin Cree Nation, also located in Treaty 6 territory.

Please join us in congratulating Danika Littlechild and welcoming her to this new leadership role within the MDP community! 🌿

University of Winnipeg Graduate Studies
# The University of Winnipeg Global College

09/23/2026

Chi Miigwetch to Tara and Dr. Mihalchuk for the lecture "weaving two worlds on a path to healing". MDP students were inspired to see the work you're doing with the College of Physicians and surgeons of Manitoba - advancing truth and reconciliation, and promoting restorative justice paradigms.

Thanks to all that came to the event.

09/22/2026

Hello MDP community please join in welcoming Bryna! A proud member of Peguis Nation, Bryna is passionate about justice, Indigenous governance and community leadership. Read on for more.
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Boozhoo Aanii. Bryna Link nindizhinikaaz zhigo Misko Asin indigoo, makadewaa ma’inggan doodem. Peguis First Nation nindonjibaa zhigo Winnipeg nindiyaa.

I am joining the MDP because it feels a little like the cherry on top of the cake - bringing together so many of the teachings, skills, and areas I hope to carry into my future work. My passion is finding pathways to bring incarcerated Indigenous relatives home strengthening Indigenous governance and community-led ways forward, and supporting healing rooted in land, culture, and belonging."

Thank you and welcome Bryna. We look forward to learning from and with you.

09/19/2026

💕

Thanks MDP - Indigenous Development- UWinnipeg for the great MDP Field Placement Symposium this morning!

MDP students spent the summer learning directly from practitioners, community leaders, and Indigenous organizations—connecting classroom theory with real on‑the‑ground experience locally, nationally, and internationally. Today they held a symposium to discuss their insights, stories, and lessons learned from working alongside communities advancing Indigenous approaches to development. We loved hearing about the powerful work they were able to do, the connections they made, and how these placements affected students in their studies, professional goals, and personal lives!

[Image Description] A group of students from stand arm-in-arm in a row, with the program staff kneeling in front. All are smiling following a successful symposium!

09/17/2026

Check out this article in the university of Winnipeg's news page.

Featuring MDP alumni Leslie Kirkness. Leslie did his placement with the Muisca people in Colombia where he helped develop an ethical guideline for positive research as well as a research protocol handbook.

Read more about it at the university of Winnipeg News webpage.

https://news.uwinnipeg.ca/international-field-placement-builds-connection-and-community/

09/17/2026

Join Southern Chiefs’ Organization Inc. for their 6th Annual Orange Shirt Day!

Opening Ceremony at 9:30 AM at Oodena Circle at The Forks, followed by a Healing Walk to Canada Life Centre.

Come together to honour Survivors, remember those who never made it home, and support the ongoing journey of healing and reconciliation.

Everyone is welcome to join. 🧡

09/17/2026

Don't forget to RSVP for the Grad Studies Meet & Greet next Monday!
Join the Grad Student Ambassadors to celebrate the start of the fall term with fellow graduate students, faculty, and staff! There will be some fun games for a chance to win some cool prizes.
Date | Monday, September 21, 2026
Time | 12:45-2:15 pm
Location | Richardson College Atrium (lower level of Richardson College).

Register here ➡️ bit.ly/F26MG!

See you there!

[Image Description] A promotional graphic for the Graduate Studies Meet & Greet on September 21. The top 3/4s of the photo shows three graduate students smiling and sitting on steps in the UWinnipeg Quad, with the sandstone brick walls of Wesley Hall in the background. Below, white text on a red background reads:
Faculty of Graduate Studies Meet & Greet
September 21, 2026
12:45-2:15 pm
Richardson College Atrium.

To the right, white text in a large starbust shape reads "RSVP! bit.ly/F26MG".