Treaty1 Territory & Homeland of the Métis Nation—At a meeting held virtually, the (MM)IWG – MANITOBA COALITION confirmed its incoming Co-chairs. The selection of the leadership is based on a traditional matriarchal model that was upheld and honored for millennia, priorto the requirement of patriarchal, colonial processes. It is a way of governing based on a shared leadership model centred on heart-based wisdom.
ABOUT THE CO-CHAIRS:
Angie Hutchinson (she/her) is a First Nation woman from a long line of matriarchs and is a proud member of the Misipawistik Cree Nation. Currently living in Winnipeg, Angie’s work has focused on gender equality; addressing exploitation and violence against women; and improving the economic, legal, social and health status of Indigenous women and their families. As a helper in many different roles, Angie approaches her work through relationship-building and with a culturally appropriate and trauma-informed understanding — creating space for both Indigenous and Western knowledge. Working from the heart, Angie creates a space of inclusion and trust to foster natural connections
Renée Kastrukoff is a Métis woman with a rich First Nations heritage from the North, and is the Executive Director of The Pas Family Resource Centre. She has worked extensively with her community to build capacity and supports for women, children and youth with emphasis on the marginalized, at-risk population, as well as early child development and prevention. Renee has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Norman Regional Parent Child Coalition, The Pas Community Renewal Corporation, Michif Child and Family Services Authority Board, Crime Prevention Action Fund Joint Management Committee – Manitoba Region (Public Safety Canada), Manitoba Metis Federation, as well as several other boards. She is actively involved in initiatives that support the well-being and socio -economic development of the people of Northern Manitoba.
Angela Lavallee is a First Nations women, mother, grandmother, post secondary student and active community member currently residing in Winnipeg. She is a certified Focus therapist and provides free focus sessions to women and men who are in need of healing support. She is also the founder of Soles on Fire: an annual run to bring awareness, prevention and intervention on violence on women and girls and most importantly to celebrate and honour life.
In 2015, Angela’s nine month old granddaughter, Zaylynn Emerald Rain, was murdered. Like so many of our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited, the loss of Zaylynn came with many forms of injustices and unanswered questions.
She is the Chairperson for the board of Wahbung Abinoonjiiag (“the children of tomorrow”), which was established to empower children and their families to break the cycle of violence.
She is a member of Collective of Voices who is a currently working on the Redress Warming Hut “Rainbow Butterfly”. She does her volunteer work with the support and love from her community.
For further information, or to arrange interviews, please contact (MM)IWG – MB Coalition Co-chairs as follows:
ANGIE HUTCHINSON: 204.232.0720 | mmiwgmbcoalition@gmail.com RENÉE KASTRUKOFF: 204.623.0451 | mbmmiwg2scoalition@gmail.com ANGELA LAVALLEE: 204.797.8141 | mmiwg2smbcoalition@gmail.com On Facebook: Manitoba MMIWG Coalition
