Our Team

An educator and community activist, Mitch Bourbonniere has long been inspired to help others find their voices. A founding member of the original Bear Clan Patrol, he also volunteers with Ogijiita Pimatiswin Kinamatwin (OPK).

He teaches at the University of Winnipeg and Urban Circle Training, while being employed by Mount Carmel Clinic and Fox Lake First Nation.

Mitch has devoted much of his career and personal time to mentoring, counselling and supporting at-risk youth to help them develop self-esteem, confidence, empathy and social skills. By emphasizing the value of good citizenship, volunteerism and positive activism, he helps young people make positive changes in their lives.

Mitch helped establish a men’s healing group. He also works extensively with Winnipeg’s most vulnerable people affected by homelessness, post-traumatic stress, addiction, mental health issues, domestic violence, gang involvement and sexual exploitation through the OPK and Action Therapy programs and the Manitoba Youth Justice system. He visits institutions and supports people as they transition from prison and gang life.

Mitch developed a program called Lateral Empathy that involves groups of young volunteers collecting and delivering donations of food, clothing, furniture and household goods to those in need.

Mitch received the Canadian Humane Association’s Bronze Medal for Bravery for jumping into a Winnipeg river to save a young woman’s life in December 2016. He has also received two Governor General of Canada Awards, the Order of Manitoba as well as many other distinctive honours.