Bourbonniere wins prestigious award

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This article was published 15/01/2018 (3040 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For as long as he can remember, Mitch Bourbonniere has been inspired to help others find their voice.

The Old St. Vital resident is one of 15 Manitobans who recently received a Governor General’s Award for Outstanding Indigenous Leadership.

Bourbonniere, who is a half-time social worker in Louis Riel School Division, is among seven of the recipients to be awarded Meritorious Service Decorations – Civil Division. The recipients received their awards from Lt.-Gov. Janice Filmon at Government House on Jan. 9. Other recipients include Michael Redhead Champagne, the founder of Aboriginal Youth Opportunities in Winnipeg’s North End; James Favel and the late Larry Morrissette, who established the Bear Clan Patrol; and Althea Guiboche, founder of Got Bannock Inc.

“It feels great to receive the award, but the best part of it is the company I’m keeping with other winners,” Bourbonniere, 54, told The Lance. “It’s a who’s who of really awesome community people, so that’s the biggest thrill.”

“Healing and empowerment in the Indigenous community is so important, and now it’s really on the upsurge, as there are so many awesome young people doing awesome things. In the span of my career, I’ve seen a growth of engagement among students. I think people have found their voice, and are taking action and doing things in the community.”  

According to his extensive resume, Bourbonniere — who has devoted his career and his personal time to mentoring, counselling and supporting at-risk youth — is a pipe carrier and sundancer who has kept the fire for the Grandmothers Council and Sisters in Spirit, as well as being involved with many kinds of ceremonial events through the years.

When he’s not working at LRSD, Bourbonniere works in the inner city with “some of our most vulnerable populations. On a daily basis, I’m dealing with issues such as suicide, mental health, addiction, street violence, and sexual exploitation,” he said.

The southeast Winnipegger also facilitates the Ogijita Pimatiswin Kinamatwin program (OPK), which supports individuals aged 16 to 40 who want to make positive changes in their lives. He’s also involved with the Bear Clan Patrol and the Mama Bear Clan, and he advises different community groups that want to patrol their neighbourhoods. He also volunteers with Got Bannock Inc. and Drag the Red.

“One of the things that stands out for me is that I had to go into the water in December 2016,” Bourbonniere said, referring to when he selflessly jumped into a freezing river in Winnipeg to save a young woman from drowning.   

According to uwinnipeg.ca, Bourbonniere has a master’s degree in social work and instructs at the University of Winnipeg, Université de Saint-Boniface, and the University of Manitoba.

Go online at mitchbourbonniere.com for more information.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com