Meet the Governing Circle
About the Governing Circle
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) is guided by a seven-member Governing Circle. Governing Circle members:
- Ensure Indigenous people are in control over the materials.
- Provide guidance on policies, activities, ceremonies, and protocols.
- Provide guidance on ways to increase the Centre’s records, materials, and resources and on prospective partners.
- Provide support on accessing the Centre’s records, materials and resources.
~ Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Chair on Truth and Reconciliation at Lakehead University
Indigenous governance is critical to strengthening the framework of truth and reconciliation in Canada. The NCTR strives to ensure Canada does not forget the voices of Survivors and their stories which were long suppressed by the residential school system. The Governing Circle members each have been shaped and guided by their Indigenous cultures, values, belief systems and protocols, and all are committed to furthering the work of the NCTR.
Read more about the NCTR Governing Circle

Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux
Governing Circle Chair
Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux served as Vice Provost for Aboriginal Initiatives at Lakehead University for three years, and effective September 2016…
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Andrew Carrier
Andrew has Bachelor of Arts degree, a Business Administration Diploma. He is a Registered Professional Trainer and a Certified Human…
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Angie Bruce
Angie Bruce, Vice-President (Indigenous), University of Manitoba, is a proud Red River Métis woman tied to her home community of…
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Levinia Brown
Levinia Brown is an Inuit Survivor from Rankin Inlet. In 1978, Levinia Brown received her certification as a Northwest Territories…
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Dr. B. Mario Pinto
Dr. B. Mario Pinto joined the University of Manitoba’s leadership team as Vice President (Research & International) in October 2022…
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Keith Chiefmoon
Keith Chiefmoon is a Ga’na (kainai) Sundance teacher and the Indian Residential School Program and Community Engagement worker for the…
Read More…NCTR’s spirit name – bezhig miigwan, meaning “one feather”.
Bezhig miigwan calls upon us to see each Survivor coming to the NCTR as a single eagle feather and to show those Survivors the same respect and attention an eagle feather deserves. It also teaches we are all in this together — we are all one, connected, and it is vital to work together to achieve reconciliation.