For 20 years, TMC has been facilitating Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) by generating equitable access to cutting-edge professional development training and meaningful, sustainable employment with Indigenous and newcomer youth.
Specializing in the development and delivery of multi-modal training, using a trauma-informed lens, we are building bridges between industry, youth, and equity deserving groups that
Reconciliation is prioritized in everything we create, share, and maintain.
In 2025, TMC partnered with Toronto Metropolitan University’s Diversity Institute in support of the program equity audit for the Winnipeg School Division, to provide sector expertise and knowledge of the Manitoba school system, the context in Winnipeg, and Indigenous perspectives throughout the project. This includes,
In advancing reconciliation, we focus on working collaboratively to eliminate educational and employment gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Manitobans, ensuring equitable access to jobs, training and education opportunities, offering our Newcomers to Canada youth participants an inclusive history of the diverse Indigenous peoples of Canada.
From 2018 – 2023 The Momentum Centre (TMC) participated as a Community Trainer member of the TRC Call to Action #92 Indigenous Youth Employment Initiative through the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council and the United Way Winnipeg.
As a member of the Initiative’s Guide Group and Co-Creation Group, (comprised of Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Indigenous Youth, business leaders, community trainers and government) TMC hosted community gatherings and workshops with youth (18 to 30 years old) and employers, pre and post pandemic.
Our head office building (purchased in 2019 after a successful capital campaign) is ideally situated in an educational hub on Selkirk Avenue that includes being across the street from North End Community Renewal Corporation, Uban Circle Training Centre, the Winnipeg Education Centre, and the Inner-City Social Work Program. Close by is Merchant’s Corner and CEDA Pathways to Education, with Ndinawe just down the block. Beside us is the Murdo Scribe Building which formerly housed the Aboriginal Education Directorate, and is soon to become Mino'Ayaawag Ikwewag Lodge, the first of its kind 24/7 safe for Indigenous women.
In the past fiscal year, 63% percent of our Indigenous participants (Cohorts 24-26) are family members of residential school, day school, boarding school, or 60’s Scoop survivors.
Our current staff complement is 43% Indigenous, 29% Southeast Asian, and 28% Caucasian.
Our Board of Directors is entirely composed of program alumni/graduates and former staff. 60% Indigenous, 20% Southeast Asian, 20% Caucasian.
We utilize a collaborative and power- sharing approach, ensuring that participants’ voices are heard. Our trauma-informed curriculum meets participants where they are, supporting sustainable professional development. The core elements of this approach feature:
Indigenous and Newcomer youth graduates from our original program, the Youth Work Experience Initiative co-created and co-facilitated cross-cultural competency / anti-racism workshops on Bridging the Gap between Indigenous and Newcomer Youth to new intakes after hearing first-hand accounts from newcomer participants of the racist information they were given about Indigenous peoples upon arrival to Winnipeg.
Cross-Cultural Competency Building includes Indigenous Cultural Awareness learning events and activities that are participant-centered and participant-led, using a self-governance approach and power sharing practice, which begins with the assumption that participants are competent and have valuable expertise to share.
Through a trauma-informed lens, participants are invited to share their knowledge and cultural experiences and direct their learning, choosing and leading in an emotionally safe environment. This recognizes the importance of earning the right to hear someone’s story.
Acknowledging and learning from various Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Metis) experiences and accurately reflecting the history of colonization and residential schools.
Participant-led culture sharing circles, smudging ceremonies, and medicine picking are participant led, with the guidance, support and teachings of Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous Educators.
Hosting Indigenous Educators to speak about the history of colonization and residential schools.
Meaningful connections with Indigenous organizations form an integral part of our networking, including partnerships with community employers like
All guest speakers, whether alumni or community members, are offered an honorarium.
Our Indigenous graduates are acutely aware of and deeply concerned about what happens in the community, especially in the North End, Central and West Ends. Finding a path out of the intergenerational cycles of child and family poverty and dismantling deeply imbedded systemic barriers is a personal and professional commitment our participants make to themselves, their families, and their communities. It is the internal motivation that sparks transformation.
Graduates of Momentum Now! voice this transformation as Alumni, by sharing their wisdom and knowledge as invited guest speakers at our Networking Events (as part of a panel forum), at Graduations and Annual General Meetings as keynote speakers, and as Emcee’s and featured speakers at Inspire Events and Community Consultations hosted by TMC.
Invaluable cultural teachings are offered by community Elders and Knowledge Keepers and Sharers, a vital part of the cross-cultural competency building TMC delivers.
21 Things You May Not Know About The Indian Act (Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality) by Bob Joseph - is required reading.
Our in-house library includes selections focused on Indigenous education, supports and resources specific to the impacts and barriers associated with the transition to an urban setting when leaving your home community.
Our professional development training for newcomer participants and international student participants in our Integrate IT and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Integrate ED programs included land acknowledgment education and awareness through a facilitated process combined with cross-cultural competency building. All programs gather when invited Indigenous Educators present and speak on colonization and reconciliation.
TMC partners together on various community initiatives sharing giveaways, resources and support, participating in spring clean-ups, as a team, with participants, community celebrations and hosting vaccine clinics for youth and community members.
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Special InitiativesSummary
Here's how The Momentum Centre has been practising REDI (Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion).
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