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Home（https://nctr.ca） / About（https://nctr.ca/about/） / Meet the Governing Circle
Meet the Governing Circle
About the Governing Circle
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) is guided by a six-member Governing Circle. Governing Circle members:
Ensure Indigenous people are in control over the materials.
Provide guidance on policies, activities, ceremonies, and protocols.
Provide guidance on ways to increase the Centre’s records, materials, and resources and on prospective partners.
Provide support on accessing the Centre’s records, materials and resources.
Indigenous governance is critical to strengthening the framework of truth and reconciliation in Canada. The NCTR strives to ensure Canada does not forget the voices of Survivors and their stories which were long suppressed by the residential school system. The Governing Circle members each have been shaped and guided by their Indigenous cultures, values, belief systems and protocols, and all are committed to furthering the work of the NCTR.
~ Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Chair on Truth and Reconciliation at Lakehead University
Read more about the NCTR Governing Circle（https://nctr.ca/about/about-the-nctr/nctr-governance）
Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux
Governing Circle Chair
Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux served as Vice Provost for Aboriginal Initiatives at Lakehead University for three years, and effective September 2016…
Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux served as Vice Provost for Aboriginal Initiatives at Lakehead University for three years, and effective September 2016 was appointed as the 1st Indigenous Chair for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada and continues to develop pathways forward to reconciliation in Canada.
Cynthia is a Director of the Teach for Canada non-profit which addresses the needs of Indigenous schools in Northern Ontario. She was inducted as a “Honourary Witness” by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and is the Chair of the Governing Circle for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba.
She is a member and resident of the Chippewa of Georgina Island First Nation in Ontario and has dedicated her life to building bridges of understanding between peoples. She sees endless merit in bringing people from diverse cultures, ages, and backgrounds together to engage in practical dialogue and applied research initiatives. She remains deeply committed to public education and active youth engagement from all cultures and backgrounds.
Cynthia co-founded a youth project out of the University of Toronto, the University of Saskatchewan and Lakehead University. Information on the Canadian Roots Exchange (CRE) can be found at:www.canadianroots.ca（http://www.canadianroots.ca/）.
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Andrew Carrier
Andrew has Bachelor of Arts degree, a Business Administration Diploma. He is a Registered Professional Trainer and a Certified Human…
Andrew has Bachelor of Arts degree, a Business Administration Diploma. He is a Registered Professional Trainer and a Certified Human Resource Practitioner.
Andrew completed 30 years of service with the Province of Manitoba and is currently serving his fifth term in office with the Manitoba Metis Federation.
Andrew has served the Manitoba Metis Federation for the past 20 years as a Regional Director and in 2018 is the newest elected Vice-President for the Winnipeg Region.
Additionally, Andrew was appointed in 2010 as Chairperson to The Indigenous Leadership Development Institute – Board of Directors, founding member of the World Indigenous Business Forum. Andrew was appointed in 2016 by the Metis National Council as the Metis representative on The Centre for Truth and Reconciliation – Governing Circle. Andrew is a survivor of childhood trauma while attending a Catholic Day School.
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Dr. Angie Bruce
Dr. Angie Bruce is a proud Red River Métis woman tied to her home community of St. Laurent, Manitoba. Ms.…
Dr. Angie 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. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from UM’s Asper School of Business (MBA/09) and a PhD from Nipissing University.
An impactful and collaborative leader, Dr. 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. Prior to joining UM in the role of Vice-President (Indigenous) on February 1, 2024, Dr. Bruce was the Assistant Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada’s Nókwewashk sector – the first Government of Canada departmental team to be gifted its name by Indigenous Elders.
Dr. Bruce will advance UM’s policy, research and programming that bolsters Reconciliation and Indigenous self-determination, and continue the legacy of exemplary leadership for the Vice-President (Indigenous) portfolio.
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Leavina Brown
Leavina Brown is an Inuk Survivor from Rankin Inlet. In 1978, Leavina Brown received her certification as a Northwest Territories…
Leavina Brown is an Inuk Survivor from Rankin Inlet.
In 1978, Leavina 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, Leavina Brown became the first woman mayor of Rankin Inlet.
Leavina also served as the 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.
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.
Leavina Brown is married to Ron Brown. Together, they have 7 children and 3 custom adopted children.
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Dr. B. Mario Pinto
Dr. B. Mario Pinto joined the University of Manitoba’s leadership team as Vice President (Research & International) in October 2022…
Dr. B. Mario Pinto joined the University of Manitoba’s leadership team as Vice President (Research & International) in October 2022 after having served as Griffith University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor Research (DVCR) and Director of the Gold Coast Health & Knowledge Precinct in Queensland, Australia (2020-2022). Prior to this he served as President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Chair of the Global Research Council, Co-chair of the Canada-India Joint Science and Technology Committee, and Vice President Research and Chair of Chemistry at Simon Fraser University, Canada.