March 12th, 2025
Join the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association for our Empower & Elevate: A Panel on Leadership & Impact. This panel event will bring together women, trans, and non-binary leaders to share their journeys, insights, and experiences with students, fostering discussions on empowerment, leadership, and resilience. All are welcome to attend!
Event Details
- 📅 Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025,
- ⏰ Time: Doors open at 5:00 p.m., panel begins at 5:30 p.m.
- 📍 Location: Convocation Hall inside Wesley building
Our Elder
Elder Sharon Pelletier (Indigenous Student Services Centre Elders in Residence)
- Sharon Pelletier was born and raised in Winnipeg, to parents Catherine (Settee) & Henry Hall, both from Norway House, Manitoba. Sharon is a mother, grandmother and, great-grandmother. University was where Sharon felt her first sense of pride as a First Nation. This is also where she began to seek out Elders to help her learn more of the culture that she knew little of. Sharon is accredited with Bachelor of Arts, where she majored in Native Studies and minored in Psychology. She has certificates in: Legal Administrative Assistant; graduated with Honours in Applied Counselling and Focusing, Post-Traumatic Stress and Complex Trauma; completed coaching in the Focusing, Post-Traumatic Stress and Complex Trauma and; Human Resource Management along with various other counselling workshops and certificates. Sharon has completed 8 years as a Sundancer and continues to take part in Sundances and Ceremonies throughout Manitoba and in the States and will go wherever her gifts are needed when possible. Sharon’s prayer: For all my blessings I give thanks and acknowledge all those who have helped me to become the person I am and have yet to become. Ekosani! Sharon Pelletier (Great Bear Woman)
Panelists Bios
Honourable Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care)
- Uzoma Asagwara was first elected as the MLA for Union Station in 2019, when they became the first non-binary MLA in the Manitoba legislature and one of the first black MLAs elected in Manitoba’s history. They served as the official opposition critic for health and as an MLA, became the first Black person to make a law in Manitoba with the passing of a bill to recognize Somali Heritage Week.
They were re-elected in 2023 and was appointed Manitoba’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care.
Before becoming an MLA, Asagwara was a former basketball player with Canadian National Basketball Team, psychiatric nurse, addictions specialist and community advocate.
Feather Wolfe (Sunshine House Drop-In Coordinator & Local Drag Queen)
Shandi Strong (Writer, Rocker, Advocate)
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With a long history of volunteerism and organizing Shandi became a fixture in the 2SLGBTQ+ Community in 2008 through Gio’s, a community bar which served as “The Heart of the Community” for the 2SLGBTQ+ community for over 35 years. Eventually becoming the board’s first ever female Vice President in the organization’s final years.
She currently sits on the boards of several non-profit organizations including Our Own Health Centre (OOHC) a not-for profit healthcare provider for 2SLGBTQ+ people with the goal of improving services for transgender patients; and is part of a newly formed coalition to create shelter for homeless Trans, Non-binary and other 2SLGBTQ+ youth. Past board involvement includes Manitobans for Human Rights (MHR) a group focused on Human Rights education and awareness, and Pride Winnipeg, as a Community Liaison.
During the 2016 Provincial election she was nominated and ran as the first ever openly transgender provincial candidate in Canada for the Manitoba Liberal Party. She ran again in the 2019 and 2023 provincial elections. Since 2016 she has stayed active in politics working as the constituency assistant to Dr. Jon Gerrard, the former MLA for River Heights, the Manitoba Liberal Caucus, and as the secretary for the Manitoba Liberal Women’s Association, President for the Fort Garry Constituency Association and sits on the 2SLGBTQ+ Commission of the Manitoba Liberal party.
Since coming out 13 years ago and in doing so losing a 15-year career and 20-year marriage, her life has had it’s share of ups and downs, including a suicide attempt, living on EIA, balancing with a new career, new love, and reconciliation with her children. She has other projects in the works, including a youth friendly version of her book, and a science fiction novel. She lives in Wildwood Park with her wife Kate and their two cats. She enjoys many things including science fiction movies, golf, curling, playing guitar and adventure.
Iresha Hewa Wellalage (International Student Services Coordinator)
- I’m Iresha Hewa Wellalage, and I’m the International Student Services (ISS) Coordinator and a Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA). Originally from Sri Lanka, I bring first-hand experience as both a student and an immigrant, which gives me a unique perspective in supporting international students. With a strong background in student support and immigration advising, I help students navigate their academic and personal journeys. I’m passionate about mentorship and student engagement, striving to create an environment where all students feel included and supported. I believe that leadership is about lifting others and breaking barriers to create meaningful change.
Shauna MacKinnon (Professor and Chair of the Department of Urban and Inner-City studies)
- Dr. MacKinnon is Professor and Chair of the Department of Urban and Inner-City studies. She has conducted research on social and economic issues for over 20 years with a focus on public policy, poverty and inequality. Dr. MacKinnon is most interested in research that focuses on issues identified by individuals living in poverty and those working closely with them. Dr. MacKinnon subscribes to a social justice, community-based participatory research approach to research, actively engaging with community partners beyond research, to mobilize knowledge and use research as a tool to advocate for progressive change.Dr. MacKinnon has been involved as a co-investigator and research stream lead with the Manitoba Research Alliance (MRA) since 2003. In 2020, the MRA was awarded a 7-year, $2.5 million Social Science Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Partnership Grant for the community driven “Solutions to Poverty: Challenges and Possibilities” project. In September 2020, after the sudden death of long-time MRA Principal Investigator, friend and colleague, Dr. John Loxley, Dr. MacKinnon was appointed by her peers to succeed Dr. Loxley as the new MRA Principal Investigator.
Moderator Bio
James Webster (UWSA Rainbow Lounge Coordinator):
- James Webster (he/him) is a transmasculine nonbinary advocate for trans and gender-diverse autonomy, human rights, and freedom. Working and living on Treaty One territory, he works as the Rainbow Lounge Coordinator at the UWSA and has a history of community organization and advocacy, leading multiple rallies, including the 2023 Rally for Trans Youth. James strives to connect leadership and community in every aspect of his life.
For any questions please email [email protected].
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