Council for Indigenous Education in Manitoba MTS PD Day
October 23, 2026
Healing Relationships with and through Land
Viscount Gort Hotel – 1670 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Program
9:00: Arrival, Optional Smudge, Registration
9:30: Welcome and Opening Prayer
9:45: Keynote Presentation
11:45: Break
12:00: Lunch and AGM
1:00: Networking Time and Resource Fair
1:30: Afternoon Sessions
2:30: Closing and Door Prize Draws
Morning Keynote
Elder Allen Sutherland is an Anishinaabek Historian, Knowledge Keeper, and Healer. Allen Sutherland, also known by his spirit name Waabshkii Masinazoot Michtaatim (White Spotted Horse), of the Bizhiw Doodem (Lynx Clan), Anishinaabe, and member of Skownan First Nation, Treaty 2 Territory.
Allen is an esteemed Anishinaabe Elder, Traditional Knowledge Keeper, Healer, and Historian whose work in the public has made a generational difference in Canada. Allen’s strong Anishinaabek roots run deep and always present, leaving him in the unique position of being a connection between both Traditional and Contemporary World. Allen had the opportunity of working within First Nations, Federal and Provincial Governments, including grassroots community work for over 30 years. Allen provides facilitation and training where he is often a sought-after resources person on the history and culture of the Anishinaabe of Turtle Island. He is well known for his creation of the Canadian Indigenous Timeline Posters and the Red River de Metis posters. Allen is living out his life purpose as Anishinaabek Historian, Traditional Knowledge Keeper and as a Healer with his growing healing bundles. llen is currently the Knowledge Keeper East of 2 Child & Family Service Agencies with Treaty 2 Territory. Allen is the Lodge Keeper of his Ginew Healing Lodge, and lives in Treaty 1 Territory, Cooks Creek, Manitoba.
Breakout Sessions
| Session A1: Land-based Education Presenter(s): Peguis Land Consultation Royal AB Room (75 maximum) We provide year-round Land-Based Education programs for schools, communities, and organizations seeking meaningful learning experiences grounded in Indigenous knowledge, traditional arts, and relationships with the land. Our teachings follow the seasonal cycles, recognizing that each season brings unique opportunities to learn about local plants, animals, waterways, weather, and cultural practices connected to the territory. Our team brings generations of lived experience on the land through hunting, trapping, fishing, gathering, hide work, and traditional skills. We offer workshops for all ages, from preschool children to adults, and work closely with local Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and cultural teachers to ensure teachings remain community-centered, respectful, and practical. Our goal is to support the revitalization and continued practice of Indigenous cultural knowledge. |
| Session A2: Dog Sledding Presenter(s): Unique Adventures Shanna and Matt Royal C Room (40 maximum) Unique Adventures is a Metis-run outdoor adventure business located just 40 minutes south of Winnipeg in beautiful St. Malo, Manitoba. Founded by Metis musher Matthew Legal, who has over 10 years of experience working with world champion mushers, the business started after COVID-19 halted sled dog races. To keep his sled dogs active, Matthew began offering rides for friends and family, eventually turning his passion into a business. Joined by his partner, Shanna, who also became a musher and business owner, they now offer a variety of mushing excursions, from guided sled rides to self-driving experiences. Unique Adventures also travels to winter festivals and remote communities, providing sled rides for hundreds of guests. Future plans include expanding to summer dune buggy excursions and offering kennel tours, with hopes to add a warm-up hut, fire pits, and a puppy petting area. |
| Session A3: Spirit North Presenter(s): Spirit North Viscount A Room (40 maximum) Spirit North connects Indigenous youth to sport, play, the outdoors and the land. Through these connections, children are empowered to learn, grow, thrive and contribute to the health, strength and vibrancy of their communities. Spirit North transforms the lives of Indigenous youth. By inviting them to discover their strengths through sport and play, we help youth find the courage to take on any challenge, develop leadership skills, improve their health and wellness, discover new talents and unlock their limitless potential. |
| Session A4: Anishinaabe Healing Presenter(s): Knowledge Holder David Daniels Viscount B Room (40 maximum) David Daniels is a respected Anishinaabe Knowledge Holder and healer from Long Plain First Nation who shares teachings rooted in Indigenous knowledge, spirituality, and our relationship with the Creator. In this session, David will explore the Creator Axis and the role of Standing Medicine People, offering educators an opportunity to learn about Indigenous understandings of healing, spiritual connection, and the responsibilities we carry in our relationships with the natural world. |
| Session A5: Beyond the Activity: Using Land Based Education to Build Identity, Belonging, and Leadership. Presenter(s): Demian Lawrenchuk Hanover Room (35 maximum) Land-based education can offer much more than meaningful activities out on the land. When designed intentionally, it can create powerful conditions for young people to strengthen identity, belonging, responsibility, confidence, and leadership. In this interactive session, Demian Lawrenchuk, Founder and CEO of Mino Wahkotowin Indigenous Development Corp, will draw from his work with Indigenous youth, educators, and organizations across Manitoba to explore the deeper purpose behind land-based learning. Through stories, discussion, and experiential learning drawn from Mino Wahkotowin’s programs, participants will examine how land-based experiences can be intentionally designed to support transformational human development. Participants will leave with practical ideas and a framework they can apply when designing land-based learning experiences in their own schools and communities. |
| Session A6: Painted Horse Ranch Presenter(s): Jake Shingoose Kensington Room (35 maximum) Painted Horse Ranch is a land-based learning and wellness organization located on 132 acres of boreal forest just east of Winnipeg, offering transformative experiences rooted in Indigenous knowledge and connection to the land. Through Anishinaabe land-based learning, Indigenized equine-assisted programming, and Indigenous awareness training, the Ranch creates space for healing, personal growth, and cultural understanding. Grounded in Indigenous beliefs and practices, its programs are designed to foster deeper relationships with self, community, and the natural world, supporting individuals and groups on journeys of discovery, connection, and reconciliation. |
| Session A7: The Land is our Library: Learning Wellness Through Indigenous Plant Knowledge Presenter(s): Christine Daniels (35 maximum) Christine Daniels is from Long Plain First Nation and Anishinaabe content developer for Mashkikiin Wellness Group. When speaking in schools throughout southern Manitoba, Christine helps students understand the world of plants within Indigenous Knowledge systems. Indigenous knowledge reminds us that plants are more than resources—they are our oldest teachers. In this interactive session, participants will explore how common plants offer lessons about wellness, reciprocity, resilience, and belonging. Through Indigenous story-telling, traditional teachings, and examples from the natural world, educators will discover ways Indigenous plant knowledge can support both personal wellness and meaningful learning experiences in schools. Participants will leave with practical ideas for bringing curiosity, observation, and respectful land-based learning into their classrooms. |
Walks-ins are welcome, until we reach our maximum allowed capacity. Thank you for understanding.
The Manitoba Teachers’ Society
191 Harcourt Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3J 3H2
Phone: (204) 888-7961