Superintendent who led charge for Indigenous languages in schools set to retire

Manitoba’s third-largest school board is beginning a search for a new leader to oversee its 41 schools in southeast Winnipeg.

Superintendent Christian Michalik announced his imminent retirement from the Louis Riel School Division during a public board meeting Tuesday.

Michalik, 62, said at the meeting he plans to part ways with his “professional home” in August.

“I am someone whose life and learning were shaped in this community,” he said during a brief and emotional speech.

Michalik grew up within the borders of the modern-day Louis Riel School Division, which encompasses the former Norwood, St. Boniface and St. Vital divisions.

He became a certified educator in 1989, following studies at the Université de Saint-Boniface and the University of Manitoba.

The francophone teacher started out in St. James, where he taught French, among other subjects in junior high classrooms, before transferring to St. Vital in 1994.

“It’s a decision that comes with gratitude, not urgency. It’s a natural transition point after 37 years. It’s time to go,” he said in an interview.

The father of three indicated he has no firm retirement plans, aside from spending time with his family.

Michalik said he’s witnessed schools evolve “to better honour identity and belonging and language” throughout his career.

One of his proudest accomplishments is being part of a team who’s made Indigenous languages a staple in local public schools, he said.

“As a francophone learner, given my own journey, I’m really proud of having been a part of doing this work,” he said, noting there was debate about how much French should be allowed in public schools when he was growing up.

(The Division scolaire franco-manitobaine was established to protect and oversee French schools in 1994.)

Every kindergarten, Grade 1 and 2 student is exposed to basic lessons in either Anishinaabemowin, Cree or Michif at present.

The division, which has upwards of 17,613 students, begun expanding this instruction to include Grade 3 students this year.

The superintendent said that, if all goes according to plan, there will be an Indigenous language course available at every high school in September.

Under his leadership, the division collaborated with Microsoft to design Manito Ahbee Aki, an educational video game that launched worldwide in 2021.

The Minecraft: Education Edition world was built to resemble the lives of Anishinaabe people in modern-day Manitoba before European settlers arrived.

“He was not someone who would ever settle for status-quo,” board chair Sandy Nemeth said. “He was always thinking multiple steps ahead in terms of opportunities and what education needed to be and should be for students.”

He is currently the highest paid superintendent in Winnipeg. Public records show he earned $280,934 in 2024.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca