Commanding Officer's committees
Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee
We created the Cultural Diversity Committee to build relationships with the diverse communities of Manitoba. The community leaders who sit on the committee act as liaisons between their respective cultural groups and the RCMP. They help us to understand the cultures, traditions and customs of the communities we serve.
Committee members
- Daljit Sidhu
- Daljit emigrated from India in 1982 and participates in the Winnipeg Sikh community. Daljit holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Punjab University in India. He has worked for Canada Safeway since 1984 and is currently a department manager. He was a member of the board of directors at the Thompson Sikh Society and Multicultural Centre. He's served on the Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee since 2003.
- Shahina Siddiqui
- Shahina has a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in English honours and philosophy. She's a freelance writer, author, spiritual counselor, speaker and educator. She's helped to create many community organizations, including the Islamic Social Services Association, the Canadian Muslim Women's Institute, and the Canadian Muslim Leadership Institute. Among her accolades, she's a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal. Canadian embassies have invited Shahina to speak and conduct workshops on multicultural issues.
- Suenita Maharaj-Sandhu
- Suenita has Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Masters of Education degrees. She's focused on the area of workplace equity in her career. She was the Employment Equity Outreach Coordinator and Employment Officer for the City of Winnipeg and a Human Rights Investigator with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. She was the Race Relations Officer with the Winnipeg School Division. This position was the first of its kind in Western Canada. She's now the Employment Equity Coordinator for Red River College. She's trained law enforcement in workplace equity, human rights and conflict management.
- Susan Rodriguez
- Susan has a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Manitoba. She has several years of experience in the health, immigration and outreach fields. She's a Neighbourhood Immigrant Settlement Worker for the Elmwood Community Resource Centre. Previously, she was a Family Support Worker for Winnipeg Child and Family Services.
- Dr. Michael Eze
- Michael is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Winnipeg. He's worked on three continents as a Public Health Biochemist. He's an advocate for functional multiculturalism. He believes communities of diverse backgrounds can live together productively through mutual understanding. He serves as an Elder in three different cultural associations. Who's Who in Black Canada featured his profile in 2016. He's also Vice President of the NGO Unemployed Youth Africa, Inc.
- Heather Milne
- Heather has over fifteen years experience as a researcher, consultant, and educator. Her focus has been in matters of law, criminal justice, and equal access for people with intellectual disabilities and autism. She has a post-graduate degree in Sociology, specializing in Criminology. Heather worked in private research focussing on government contracts in justice and corrections. She was also an instructor at the University of Winnipeg. There, she taught undergraduate courses for the Faculty of Criminal Justice Studies.
- Heather is a parent of an adult son living with autism. She gained expertise in advocating in social, educational and employment environments. She was an instructor for the Transforming Futures Project at Red River College. She was a board member of the Manitoba Families for Effective Autism Treatment (MFEAT). She collaborated on a proposal with St. Amant Centre and the MFEAT board. The public education system implemented her proposal for the School Age Learning Program. She was also a board member for Inclusion Winnipeg.
- Heather recently became a member of the RCMP Commissioner's Advisory Committee on Visible Minorities. On the committee she represents people living with intellectual disabilities and autism.
Indigenous Advisory Committee
We work with Indigenous partners to build safer and healthier Indigenous communities. Delivering culturally competent police services provides the foundation for these relationships and partnerships. We serve more than 50 Indigenous communities. The committee shares the responsibility for educating employees of Indigenous culture.
Committee members
- Sandra Delaronde
- Sandra has served on this committee for the past 10 years. She’s volunteered as a member referral agent and has acted as an advocate for members across the country. She helped organize the Diversity and Law Enforcement conference in Manitoba. Sandra is the Director of the Aboriginal Courtwork Program for Manitoba. She's also the administrator of the Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Foundation. She's researched various issues affecting the lives of Indigenous people in Manitoba. She has a Master of Arts Leadership and Training specializing in Justice and Public Safety Leadership.
- Charlene Lafreniere
- Charlene was born and raised in Thompson, Manitoba. She has a Bachelor of Arts, specializing in justice and law enforcement. Charlene's values and beliefs are rooted in her traditional spirituality and traditional teachings. She is the Chief Indigenous Health Officer for the Northern Region Health Authority (NRHA). She’s also the Executive Director of the Thompson Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation. Charlene currently serves as the President of the (YWCA) in Thompson. Charlene was elected as a City Councillor for Thompson for two terms in 2006 and 2010. She also served as the Deputy Mayor. Previously, she worked at Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, Inc. (MKO) as the Youth Justice Coordinator and then as the Director of Justice.
- Jack Robinson
- Elder Jack Robinson was born in Norway House. His family lived in the bush away from the community. He's proficient at trapping, hunting, fishing and living off the land. He has been a social worker, parole officer, child welfare worker, nurse and paralegal. He's the Cultural Advisor/Elder for the Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre. He teaches his knowledge of the Aboriginal culture, values and traditions to others. He performs Smudge Ceremonies, Sacred Fire Ceremonies and Pipe Ceremonies. He teaches the principles of Aboriginal culture in schools and community organizations. These include MacDonald Youth Services, Addictions Foundation of Manitoba and Canadian Mental Health Association.
- Darlene Beck
- Darlene is from Cross Lake, Manitoba. She was born and raised in the North and has lived in several Northern communities. She's been Chief Administrative Officer for the Incorporated Community of Cross Lake for 42 years. Darlene participates on various boards and committees throughout the community, region and province. She’s been a Fire Chief since 1989 and involved with Emergency Medical Services since 1991. Darlene was a recipient of the Queens Diamond Jubilee award in July 2012 for her commitment and dedication to Manitoba.
- Matilda Mallett
- Matilda was born to Cree parents in Fisher River. She was sent to Brandon Residential School for four years at the age of ten. Her parents removed her from the school after discovering abusive treatment. Matilda began working at the age of 16 in a variety of jobs, including child care and cooking. She trained in commercial cooking and worked in the dietary field for 31 years. Later she became a member of the United Church and the Fisher River Healing Centre. Matilda retired in 2003, but continues her volunteer work in the community. She's now an Elder for the community's Justice Committee.
- Lloyd Flett
- Lloyd is Metis and was born in Norway House, Manitoba. He is the Community Administrative Officer for the Community of Norway House. He has served on various committees and has been exposed to many of the social challenges that have been experienced by the community residents.
- Date modified: