Our Speakers

Dr. Karine Duhamel is Anishinaabe-Métis and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Allison University, a Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University and a Master’s Degree and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Manitoba. Dr. Duhamel was formerly Adjunct Professor at The University of Winnipeg where she developed and taught courses on the history and legacy of residential schools. She also served as Director of Research for Yerch Law Corporation, conducting research related to claims under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

From 2018 to 2019, Dr. Duhamel was Director of Research for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, drafting the Final Report, as well as managing the Forensic Document Review Project and the Legacy Archive. She is now a public servant working to implement the National Inquiry’s Calls for Justice across all levels of government.

Sheila North is host of CBC News Late Night. She is also former Grand Chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents thirty northern First Nations in Manitoba. She is the first woman ever to hold this position. She is also former Chief Communications Officer for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. North ran for the position of National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in 2018. North is a former CTV journalist and was nominated for a Gemini Award as a CBC journalist. Her journalism has long covered MMIWG, and in 2019, she released a documentary on the issue, titled “1200+.” For this documentary, she worked closely with family members, who shared their stories of loved ones’ disappearances.

Sandra DeLaronde is a member of Cross Lake First Nation whose roots are in the Métis settlement of Duck Bay. Throughout her distinguished career, she has made it her life work to bring attention to the situation of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirited Persons (MMIWG2S). She served as co-chair of Manitoba’s MMIWG2S Coalition.

DeLaronde helped develop and oversee the Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Scholarship, established in 2000, to honour the young woman who was murdered in The Pas in 1976.

DeLaronde is generous in sharing her knowledge and culture with others. As head woman for the Oyate Wiwanyang Wacipi (Sundance) and the Heart of the White Buffalo Moondance, she plays a vital role in strengthening Indigenous ceremony, practice, and tradition.