Share the Gifts – Honour the Treaties is established and run entirely by volunteers interested in moving forward the vision of the organization. The intention of Share the Gifts is for our Indigenous partners to take on an advisory role, particularly as to how funds will be spent, and Settler/non-Indigenous partners will be doing the leg work. This includes administrative tasks and educating non-Indigenous people on the importance of making reparations and supporting pathways to “Share the Gifts”.
Currently we have two working groups as well as our broader community:
Keepers of the Circle
The Keepers of the Circle is comprised of Members of the Circle who agree to meet regularly to participate in decision making and to carry forward the vision and purpose of the organization.
We call our core group “Keepers of the Circle” because it reflects our values and work towards equity and decolonization better than the more typical name and structure of a “Board of Directors”. It also speaks to how we are working at building relationships with each other, staying welcoming to new members, and making decisions based on a general consensus in the group.
We welcome those Keepers who may be unable to participate in person, but willing to join meetings through phone or virtual connection.
Members of the Circle
The larger community holding membership in Share the Gifts – Honour the Treaties helps to hold the Keepers of the Circle accountable and provides a network of connections to further the vision of the organization.
Education Working Group
The Education Working Group is comprised of Members and friends of the circle who agree to meet regularly to develop educational resource materials, create content for promotion of the organization, and plan and facilitate workshops. The group welcomes creative, thoughtful members willing to engage in challenging and stimulating conversations.
Who is currently involved in this organization?
Follow the links below to learn more about some of our current “Keepers of the Circle”.
Ko’ona Saber
Ko’ona Saber is an Anishinaabe-kwe member of the Bizhiw Doodem (Lynx Clan) from Peguis First Nation, where her father Walter George Cochrane was integral in the reclamation of indigenous cultural practices prior to her birth in 1970. Ko’ona has been sharing her indigenous teachings for over twenty years, through traditional family parenting education and hand drumming. …
Elaine Bishop
Elaine Bishop, a Quaker and retired social worker, lives in North Point Douglas, Winnipeg, Treaty 1 territory and homeland of the Metis Nation. Since retirement she has served on volunteer boards of community organizations while continuing her work in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and issues, increasingly addressing issues of the roles of Settlers and Newcomers …
Kerry Saner-Harvey
Kerry Saner-Harvey is white, male, Settler Mennonite living and working in Winnipeg as a guest on Treaty 1 Territory. He is passionate about walking with people beyond their fears of the other and working together to repair harms done. He works as the Program Coordinator for the Indigenous Neighbours Program of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) …
Mary Lysecki
Mary Lysecki is the daughter of Gerald and Dorothy Dunn, granddaughter of John and Florence Pond, Vernon and Annie Dunn, wife of Burton Lysecki, mother of Jake, Ruth, Nik Lysecki and Clara Birnie, grandmother to Felix, Jack and Stella. She is an ordained Anglican priest. She has served in the Diocese of Rupert’s Land, in …
Michael Welch
Michael Welch is a freelance writer and broadcaster based in Winnipeg, with a long history of involvement in peace and social justice activism. He is host and producer of Global Resarch News Hour Radio show at CKUW. Michael currently sits as treasurer of the Keepers of the Circle.
Kathryn Boschmann
Kathryn Boschmann is a historical researcher whose work in recent years has increasingly focused on Indigenous history and settler colonialism in Canada. She has served on numerous volunteer boards and committees supporting local social justice activities and community programs. As a settler who was raised on a small farm in Treaty 1 territory, she is …