By Gurpreet Kalsi, MDP Student
This summer, I had the privilege of completing my field placement at Elmwood Community Resource Centre (ECRC), right here in Winnipeg. ECRC has been serving the Elmwood community since 2001, offering essential support for families, youth, and newcomers. It’s a warm, welcoming space that truly lives its values—community, safety and inclusion.
I started my placement on May 5, 2025, and from day one, I felt supported. Meeting with CEO Nina Condo on my first day set the tone for the months to come. Her guidance, wisdom, and deep commitment to the community helped shape my project: developing a framework to support relationship-building between newcomer communities and Indigenous Peoples.
The project—Framework for Newcomer Awareness and Relationship-Building with Indigenous Peoples—grew out of a desire to help newcomers understand the lands they now call home. Through research, conversations, and reflection, I created a resource meant to support learning and connection, grounded in respect and a commitment to reconciliation. This work has been personal for me. I often say I carry four ways of seeing the world: as an immigrant, a social worker, a student of Indigenous development, and a community leader. These perspectives shape how I present myself in this work and life.
My time at ECRC reminded me that meaningful change starts with relationships. I’m grateful to Nina and the entire team at ECRC for their trust, and to the MDP program for supporting this journey. I walk away with new knowledge, deeper humility, and a strong sense of purpose to continue bridging communities.
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