Aligned with Rotary International’s focus areas, the breakout session at the Zones 28 & 32 Summit in Winnipeg explored building bridges between Rotary and Indigenous Peoples
HIP (Honouring Indigenous Peoples) hosted a session on building bridges between Rotary and Indigenous Peoples at the recent Rotary Zones 28 & 32 Better Together Summit in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The breakout session drew from the experience of HIP’s monthly International Indigenous–Rotary Relationship Calls, which have brought together Rotarians and Indigenous leaders across the Turtle Island (Canada and the U.S.) to share stories, practices, and pathways for reconciliation. With participants from around the world, this dialogue has become a space of learning, healing, and hope.
“We believe Rotary has a powerful role to play in reconciliation, through relationships, respect, and Rotary values. And we believe we are better together when Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities come together in trust, shared leadership, and mutual learning,” says HIP board member David Newman, who facilitated the session, Better Together: Building Bridges Between Rotary and Indigenous Peoples.
Newman, who is a retired lawyer, legislator and former Manitoba cabinet minister, was joined by Diane Redsky, Indigenous leader, advocate for women and girls, and Samantha Westlands, HIP Youth Representative and Youth-to-Youth Program alumna to explore the vital and timely theme of building bridges between Rotary and Indigenous Peoples, both in Canada and internationally.
According to HIP Executive Director John Currie, it was a powerful opportunity to inspire action, nurture relationships, and strengthen Rotary’s role in reconciliation and peacebuilding — across Canada, the United States, and internationally.
The session was included in the Summit, as it aligned with Rotary’s seven areas of focus, including peacebuilding and conflict prevention, basic education and literacy, community and economic development, supporting the environment, and most importantly, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals of the international organization.