A stellar panel of six people in Manitoba’s construction industry took to the stage to share their experience and expertise on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the construction industry for Manitoba Women in Construction (MWC) and Young Construction Leaders of Manitoba’s (YCLM) Building Inclusion event. Held on Thursday, October 17, at the Pyramid Cabaret, the evening featured sharing from Danni Brinkworth and Amanda Brown from Clan Mothers Healing Village, Mitchell Haw, Epp Siepman Engineering Inc., Carol Paul, Manitoba Construction Sector Council, and Wendy Hofford, WH Strategic Drive Inc., and was emceed by Nicole Chabot, L. Chabot Enterprises Ltd.

Chabot guided the group in a discussion on constructing a diverse future in Manitoba, and the topics ranged from challenges to champions, and how to integrate positive change in organizations. Missed it? Here are a few sound bites from the evening.

“I believe that that is our responsibility and duty as white men within engineering and construction. It’s our duty to advocate for representation of women, non-binary people, trans people and people of color at the decision tables, to welcome them into spaces that are traditionally and often still dominated by white men, to amplify their voices at the table and to speak up when we see discrimination. I want to challenge all of us who hold positions of power within our organizations, whether that’s a leadership role or being part of that visible majority, choose our voices to welcome, support and defend those people who are in the minority.” – Mitchell Haw

“I’ve never experienced not being a DEI person, [as someone who is] transgender, but I’m also surrounded by a whole environment of DEI hires. Power in numbers is pivotal for me. I think it’s just when I’m on site with all the girls and realize that there really is power in numbers of women on site together, building stuff. You don’t experience as many heartaches if there’s a bunch of you together doing it.” – Danni Brinkworth

“I was sitting around the fire on the land – that was what we did together when I got accepted into the carpentry program. This was my first try at being a carpenter too and being around like-minded people. At Clan Mothers we learn to work together to build a healing village and a sisterhood. I also learned that I was a great carpenter. I didn’t expect this, as I wanted to learn about my culture, which was a bonus. I already had a job. I just didn’t have a purpose. In my current position as an apprentice carpenter, I feel so confident and respected and supported by my co-workers. I feel so proud to work for a company that invests in us and as workers and women in healing through trades.” – Amanda Brown

“I start at the top because I believe the top is what sets the culture for the organization. We start looking at what are the values, whether it be our strengths or skills, and start stripping away those unconscious biases, and start looking at what everyone brings to the table, when they come to work trying to do their best. What if we just value them for that, and not their background or their skin color or their disabilities. For me, to be able to work with the policies and the procedures, and making those environments through that perspective, is what makes a company where people want to stay, where people want to be with the employer of choice. That is so rewarding.” – Wendy Hofford

Over the years that I’ve been working, it’s always about listening and learning, and it’s that continuous journey. Certainly, I’ve learned a great deal working with Clan Mothers, working with the Indigenous women across northern Manitoba to hear their stories. So, how do you bring those stories back? And that’s what I really try to do as much as possible, through capturing a story in a video, hosting the [Manitoba Women in Trades Conference], and trying to get employers to listen and learn and figure out how to do things better. And I think that’s what construction needs to continue to do to grow. – Carol Paul

I’m different and I’m here. I spent a long time in my career in heavy construction, trying to fade into the background, trying to fit in. I didn’t want to be noticed as being different. I didn’t want to be a woman. I didn’t get special treatment, that’s for sure. And then I realized, you know, I have a unique perspective, because women deal with things differently sometimes. I’m not trying to generalize here, but we bring a different perspective, and there’s value in that. And you have a lot to bring to the table, whatever your background, your lived experience. – Nicole Chabot

A big thank you to all our speakers and our 2024 sponsors!