The Blog

Follow along as we work towards systems change and help create better outcomes for kids in our community.

Category: Hub of Strength

March-June 2016

October 26, 2020

First ECD cohort: The first round of ECD Training included six members of The Winnipeg Boldness Project’s Parent Guide Group. These parents gave many helpful suggestions to update the ECD Training approach, and completed an evaluation of the training.

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Jan. – March 2016

First CLT cohort: A first round of the training was completed with ‘seasoned’ leaders from the community, including 10 participants, the ILC coordinator, a facilitator, and an Elder.

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Sept. 2015

CLT Manual draft: Astrid MacNeill drafted a 13-week CLT curriculum. This curriculum emphasizes an open-ended and relational approach to leadership development.

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March 2015

Evaluation framework funded: The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) Manitoba, the Winnipeg Boldness project, and Community Education Development Association funded the development and testing of an evaluation framework, named Na-gah mo Waabishkizi Ojijaak Bimise Keetwaatino: Singing White Crane Flying North – Gathering a bundle for Indigenous Evaluation.

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2015-Present

Collaboration with Winnipeg Boldness: The Winnipeg Boldness Project and ILC formed a partnership to further the goal of recording and sharing community wisdom. We focused first on three initiatives: Community Leadership Training (CLT) Early Childhood Development Training (ECD) Developing a community Evaluation Framework

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Land Acknowledgement

The Winnipeg Boldness Project resides in and works on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg (Ojibwe), Anishinabewaki (Oji-Cree), Dené, Michif Piyii (Métis), Nêhiyawak (Cree), and Očhéthi Sakowin (Dakota). We recognize that we have benefited from and continue to benefit from colonization on the Treaty 1, Treaty 3, and Treaty 5 Territories.

It is important to also acknowledge how we benefit in this territory at the cost to Indigenous Peoples. Winnipeg has been drinking clean water for over a century via an aqueduct from Shoal Lake. In 1917, 3000 acres of Treaty 3 was declared property of the city of Winnipeg to build the aqueduct. This aqueduct was built over ancestral burial ground, to build these structures, the ancestors were disinterred and reburied. Construction of the aqueduct changed the waters significantly, causing the peninsula to become a man-made island. This now isolated Nation faced many challenges as a direct result from this aqueduct; Necessities like water, groceries, schools, and mail were only accessible via the dangerous trek to the mainland. Lives of adults and children were lost crossing to and from the mainland. Freedom Road, an all-weather road access finally opened summer 2019, over a century after displacement. This road, a testament to the success of Indigenous-led solutions, helps bring materials to build schools and a water treatment plant.

“I always think of it, even when I turn on the tap I’m like this comes from our community and this water probably contains our ancestors and the spirits of our ancestor. I think about the hardships of the people from Shoal Lake 40 who have gone through so many things for the benefit of Winnipeg’s drinking water,” says Angelina McLeod.1

Another benefit we reap in Winnipeg at a cost to Indigenous Peoples and land is the Hydro Electricity Development in Treaty 5. To optimize water movement for greatest power production the Province of Manitoba increased waterflow by creating the Churchill River Diversion in 1976. The modification of the waterflow caused flooding, shoreline erosion, and changes to water quality. This destruction of habitat has caused disruption to waterway travel, fishing, and hunting.


  1. https://www.aptnnews.ca/facetoface/spirits-of-our-ancestor-shoal-lake-40-is-rectifying-a-century-of-hardships/