Advisory Circle

Membres du cercle consultatif

Dolorès Gosselin

A Red River Métis Elder and a citizen of the Métis Nation of Turtle Island, Dolorès is a storyteller who practises drumming for healing. A long-time educator, she enjoys sharing her knowledge and story with a variety of groups because she feels that "these life lessons provide ways to interact with the environment and become better.” Dolorès would like to incorporate this traditional teaching practice once used by First Nations into modern culture.

To support reconciliation, Dolorès conducts ceremonies at her home on the Roseau River, welcoming individuals and groups looking to find peace and serenity.

Justin Johnson

Justin is a proud French-speaking Red River Métis and a descendant of André Beauchemin, a Métis leader of St. Vital and a member of Louis Riel's provisional government. Since 2021, Justin has been Vice-Chair of the Union nationale métisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba (UNMSJM) and a director on the Board of Francofonds. He recently became a director on the Board of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadiennes (FCFA) du Canada, where he served as Vice-Chair from 2018 to 2020.

The CEO of the Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM) has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Winnipeg. His commitment has been recognized by the Société de la francophonie manitobaine (SFM), which awarded him the 2021 Prix Riel prize in the Political category. Justin has been involved for several years in the development of Canada’s francophone and bilingual communities.

Monique LaCoste

Monique is a Franco-Métis communicator, former news anchor and radio and television host, and the founder of Phonique Media. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from Université de Saint Boniface and has served on several boards, including the Manitoba 150 Host Committee and the Conseil Elzéar-Goulet, which is the francophone local of the Manitoba Métis Federation.

It was after discovering an old family photo with unfamiliar faces that she began to explore her Métis heritage. Community engagement and family are core values for Monique. She sees the Indigenous Advisory Circle at USB as a way to work, learn and bring us closer to the inclusive and innovative vision for the future as envisioned by her ancestors and their leader, Louis Riel.

Riel Dion

Franco-Manitoban by birth, Riel is an entrepreneur and the owner and founder of several businesses. He is a graduate of the Universities of Manitoba, Winnipeg and Saint-Boniface, where he studied Canadian history, among other subjects. He also holds a Master's degree in Indigenous Rights.

Riel is pleased to be part of the Indigenous Advisory Circle at Université de Saint Boniface and to have the opportunity to help develop a vision for the institution and a roadmap to direct USB's actions as it moves forward on its path to reconciliation. He is also the proud father of a young daughter.

Reconciliation