Shauna MacKinnon - Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry

Shauna MacKinnon
Curriculum Vitae
Degrees Held
PhD. Interdisciplinary Studies. University of Manitoba. 2012
o Title of dissertation: The effectiveness of neo-liberal labour market
policy as a response to the poverty and social exclusion of Aboriginal
second-chance learners
Master of Social Work (MSW). University of Manitoba. 1997
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). University of Manitoba. 1992
Related Work Experience
University of Winnipeg. Appointment commencing July 1, 2013.
Assistant Professor in the Urban and Inner City Studies Department. Research and
teaching focused on inner city issues, poverty and inequality, social and economic policy
for poverty reduction and social inclusion.
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives- Manitoba (CCPA-Mb). Director (January 2005
– May 2013)
CCPA-Mb is an independent public policy research institute. The major focus of our
research is on inner-city/poverty/Aboriginal issues. As Director I am responsible for the
management of our research program, and am responsible for the overall management of
the office. I have been successful as Director in establishing very positive working
relationships with a wide variety of inner-city community-based organizations, including
Aboriginal organizations. For example, I work closely with CLOUT (Community-Led
Organizations United Together), a coalition of nine, mostly Aboriginal community-based
organizations, and several other community-based organizations with whom I have
produced eight State of the Inner City Reports published annually by CCPA-Mb since
2005.
Province of Manitoba, Community and Economic Development Committee of Cabinet
(CEDC) Secretariat. Project Manager (2000 – 2005)
The CEDC Secretariat (now named Priorities and Planning Secretariat) provides policy
analysis and implements policy development across departments in the Manitoba
Government as directed by a committee of cabinet ministers. As project manager for
community economic development (CED) I was responsible for community development
related policy and programs including managing an interdepartmental committee tasked
with designing the CED Policy Framework and Lens that is now used across the
Manitoba government to guide policy aligned with CED principles established by
community organizations.
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University of Manitoba, Engineering Access Program, Counselor/Instructor (1999-2000)
This program is specifically designed to assist Aboriginal students complete a degree in
engineering. As Counselor/Instructor I provided ongoing support to students in addition
to academic instruction to prepare them for university level courses.
Interlake Reserves Tribal Council, Community Development Programming (1997-1999)
In this position I worked with First Nation staff in the seven communities that are
members of the Interlake Reserves Tribal council. My central task was to develop
programs for adolescent youth aimed at assisting them identify and transition into
education and employment off reserve. Based in Winnipeg, I provided ongoing support
and advocacy for those who relocated to Winnipeg.
Thompson Regional Health Authority, Community Mental Health Worker (1996-1997)
Provided counseling and advocacy for individuals with mental health issues. Planned and
participated in community education on mental health issues.
Manitoba Child and Family Services, Community and Resource Development (various
term positions 1990-1995)
As a student and volunteer I worked with low-income families in various community
development projects. This work gave me a solid grounding in the complexity of issues
facing low-income families and led me to pursue academic study in this area.
In total I have had 20 years of practical, hands-on experience in community
development, in both First Nations communities and the inner city of
Winnipeg. I am very familiar with and have very close working relations with
a wide variety of Winnipeg inner-city community-based organizations,
including Aboriginal organizations.
Teaching Experience
I have taught many courses over the past 15 years: in the University of Winnipeg (UW)
Urban and Inner-City Studies program on Selkirk Avenue; the University of Manitoba
(UM) Inner City Social Work program on Selkirk Avenue; the Northern Social Work
Program (UM), Thompson, Manitoba; and the main campus of the UM Social Work
program, Winnipeg.
UW Urban and Inner-City Studies
Urban Poverty and Policy (UIC 2220/3). Winter 2012.
Introduction to Urban and Inner-City Studies (UIC 1001/3). Winter 2011.
Women and the Inner City (UIC 3020/3). Fall 2010.
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I have taught at the University of Manitoba Social Work Program at various times
since 1995. The following is a list of the various programs and courses taught.
UM Inner City Social Work Program
47:131 Introduction to Social Welfare Policy
47:313 Contemporary Social Welfare Policy
UM Social Work Program: Thompson Campus
47:131 Introduction to Social Welfare Policy
47:313 Contemporary Social Welfare Policy
UM Social Work Program: Main Campus
47:131 Introduction to Social Welfare Policy
47:213 Comparative Social Welfare Systems
47:313 Contemporary Social Welfare Policy
University of Manitoba: Distance Education
47:313 Contemporary Social Welfare Policy
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Architecture
Department of City Planning, Adjunct Professor (2009-present)
I was appointed as an adjunct professor to accommodate graduate students requesting I
serve on their thesis committees.
Students include:
Erin Huck (graduated with a Masters Degree In City Planning, 2011)
Thesis Topic: Participatory Budgeting
Carole O’Brien (in progress)
Thesis Topic: The meaning of ‘CLOUT’: The influence of Indigenous community
planning discourses in the inner city of Winnipeg
Experience in Supervising Senior Students.
I regularly supervise university students who work as interns or complete practicum’s at
CCPA-Mb. These students act as research assistants, learning about and engaging in the
process of conducting community-based participatory research.
A sample of recent students and their research under my supervision includes:
Lindsey Li – Loren Scholar Intern (2011)
Research Project: “Manitoba’s employment and income assistance program:
Exploring the policy impacts on Winnipeg’s inner city.” Published in What a difference a
theory makes: State of the inner city report 2011.
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Carole O’Brien – Master of City Planning Intern (2010)
Research Project: “Together we have clout.” Published in We’re in it for the long haul:
State of the inner city report 2010. Under my supervision and in collaboration with
CLOUT, Carole also produced a short documentary with the same title.
Brigette DePape – Loren Scholar intern (2010)
Research Project: “Early childhood education and care in the inner city and beyond:
Addressing the inequalities facing Winnipeg’s Aboriginal children.” Published in We’re
in it for the long haul: State of the inner city report 2010.
Ellen Smirl – University of Winnipeg student (2010)
Research Project: “Squeezed Out: The impact of rising rents and condo conversions on
inner-city neighbourhoods.” Published in We’re in it for the long haul: State of the inner
city report 2010.
Jil Brody- University of Manitoba Inner City Social Work Program (2009)
Research Project: “It takes all day to be poor.” Published in It takes all day to be poor:
State of the inner city report 2009.
Publications
A. Peer Reviewed Journal Articles:
MacKinnon, S. & Stephens, S. (2010). “Is participation having an impact? Measuring
progress in Winnipeg’s inner city through the voices of community-based program
participants.” Journal of Social Work: 10(3).
MacKinnon, S. (2009). “Building capacity through participatory action research: The
state of the inner-city report project.” Community Development Journal: 46(2).
MacKinnon, S. (2009). “Social work intellectuals in the twenty-first century: critical
social theory, critical social work and public engagement.” Social Work Education:
28(5).
B. Book Reviews in Peer-Reviewed Journals
MacKinnon, S. (forthcoming). Review of: Pierson, John. Tackling Social Exclusion, 2 nd
edition. London, Routledge, 2010. In Journal of Social Work.
MacKinnon, S. (2012). Review of: James Midgley and Amy Conley.
Social Work and Social Development Theories and Skills for Developmental Social Work.
New York: Oxford. In Journal of Social Work. 12 (6) 652-653.
C. Books and Book Chapters:
MacKinnon, S. (forthcoming). Aboriginal Inclusion in Canada’s Labour Market: Training
and Decolonization in a Neoliberal Age. Vancouver: UBC Press.
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MacKinnon, S. (forthcoming). “Aboriginal second chance learners in three inner-city
programs.” In Jim Silver (ed.). Moving Forward and Giving Back: Aboriginal Adult
Education in Winnipeg’s Inner City. Halifax and Winnipeg: Fernwood Publishing.
MacKinnon, S. (2010). “Poverty in Manitoba.” In L. Fernandez, S. MacKinnon, J.
Silver (Eds.), The social determinants of health in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Canadian
Centre for Policy Alternatives-Mb.
MacKinnon, S. (2010). “Housing: A major problem in Manitoba.” In L. Fernandez, S.
MacKinnon, J. Silver (Eds.), The social determinants of health in Manitoba. Winnipeg,
MB: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Mb.
MacKinnon, S & Fernandez, L. (2010). “Unemployment and precarious employment as
social determinants of health.” In L. Fernandez, S. MacKinnon, J. Silver (eds.), The
social determinants of health in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Canadian Centre for Policy
Alternatives-Mb.
D. Articles in Practitioner Journals
MacKinnon, S. (2011). “Poverty in Manitoba: Is There a Way Out?” In Manitoba
Association of School Superintendents Journal, Fall 2011.
MacKinnon, S. (2006). “The social economy in Manitoba: Designing public policy for
social inclusion.” Horizons: 8(2), Policy Research Initiative, Ottawa: Government of
Canada.
E. Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Mb Monographs and Chapters
MacKinnon, S. (2012). Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: State of the Inner City
Report 2012. Winnipeg, Mb: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Mb.
Silvius, R. and MacKinnon, S. (2012). Making employment work: Connecting multibarriered
Manitobans to good jobs. Winnipeg, Mb: Canadian Centre for Policy
Alternatives, Mb.
MacKinnon, S. (2011). “Policy and the unique needs of Aboriginal second-chance
learners.” In Neoliberalism: What a difference a theory makes, the state of the inner city
report, 2011. Winnipeg, Mb: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Mb.
MacKinnon, S. (2010). “Tracking poverty in Winnipeg’s inner city; 1996-2006.” In
We’re in it for the long haul, state of the inner city report 2010. Winnipeg, MB: Canadian
Centre for Policy Alternatives-Mb.
MacKinnon, S. and Bernas, K. (2010). The view from here: Manitobans call for a
poverty reduction plan. Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Mb.
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MacKinnon, S., and Stephens, S. (2008). Is participation having an impact? Measuring
progress in Winnipeg’s inner city through the voices of program participants. Winnipeg,
MB: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Mb.
MacKinnon, S.and Stephens, S. (2006). Inner city refugee women: Stories of hope and
survival. Winnipeg, MB: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Mb.
MacKinnon, S. (2006). “Housing” (ch. IV). In Investing in tomorrow today - Alternative
Provincial Budget 2006. Winnipeg, MB: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Mb.
MacKinnon, S. (2006). “Income” (ch.V). In Investing in tomorrow today - Alternative
provincial budget 2006. Winnipeg, MB: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Mb.
Mackinnon, S., Comack, E., Haworth-Brockman, M., Silver, J., Stephens, S. (2006).
“Inner city voices, community-based solutions.” In State of the inner city report
2006.Winnipeg, MB: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Mb.
F. CCPA-Mb Research Summaries
The CCPA-Mb produces two page ‘Fast Facts’ and four page ‘social and economic
trends’ articles based on research projects undertaken by CCPA-Mb, and distributed
widely to governments, media, community organizations, trade unions, CCPA-Mb
members and the general public. The following is a list of these publications that I have
authored since 2007.
Policy and Poverty in Manitoba. Budget 2013. May 13, 2013
Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges. December 7, 2012.
Playing politics with poverty in Manitoba. November 23, 2012.
National Housing Day: Still waiting for a plan. November 21, 2012.
Income Inequality in Canada: How does Manitoba compare? Can we do better?
September 15, 2012.
The Cost of Learning–How does Manitoba Rank? September 11, 2012.
Increasing Aboriginal Labour Market Participation Making a case for Labour market
intermediaries. September 5, 2012.
Budget 2012: Deficit budget creates a surplus of spin. April 18, 2012.
It’s Budget Time Again: A glimmer of hope and a healthy dose of skepticism. April 16,
2012.
Canadians Deserve "A Budget for the Rest of Us". March 15, 2012.
Connecting Aborignal people to 'good' jobs. March 9, 2012.
The Harper 'apology': Residential schools and Bill C-10. January 24, 2012.
Connecting the Dots, The OECD Report on Poverty and Winnipeg's Inner City.
December 13, 2011.
Post Election 2011: How will the Selinger government move Manitoba forward? October
14, 2011.
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Election 2011 UNSPUN: Winnipeg's Inner City and North End Neighbourhood, Lessons
from Ten Years of Research. September 16, 2011.
Election 2011 UNSPUN: Public Schools Financing. September 14, 2011.
Poverty Reduction and the Politics of Setting Social Assistance Rates. July 20, 2011.
Silently Speaking Truth to Power. June 7, 2011.
Sustainable health care begins with the social determinants of health, It's time to get it
right. June 2, 2011.
State of the Inner-City Report: We’re in it for the long haul. December 2, 2010.
Rising housing prices and low rental vacancy
A perfect storm for condo conversion. October 6, 2010.
Child welfare devolution in Manitoba
A bumpy but necessary road to justice. June 17, 2010.
Poor No More? The long hard climb back to economic justice. June 9, 2010.
The Social Determinants of Health in Manitoba
What we know about health inequity in Manitoba and what we can do about it. May 17,
2010.
A middle of the road budget for tough times, Commentary and Fact Sheets, March 25,
2010.
Putting the spirit of giving in context. December 21, 2009.
It takes all day to be poor The State of the Inner City Report 2009. December 9, 2009.
Cities within Cities II. September 8, 2009.
Cities within Cities. August 11, 2009.
Fast Facts: I just want to have a decent home‘Joe’s’ Story. July 8, 2009.
Manitoba’s poverty reduction plan All Aboard – Destination Unknown. June 22, 2009.
The Red River Floodway The Benefits of Public Investment. May 7, 2009.
The Housing Crisis in Thompson. April 29, 2009.
Fast Facts: Recreation and Crime Prevention: We can do so much better. March 16,
2009.
The Trouble with Housing for Low-Income People. March 5, 2009.
Manitobans are committed to poverty reduction. Is the Manitoba government? February
12, 2009.
Rent Control in ManitobaChallenging the Myths. December 23, 2008.
Privatization of Public Housing Who Really Benefits? December 22, 2008.
Poverty and Social Exclusion: Solving Complex Issues through Comprehensive
Approaches. September 10, 2008.
Manitoba’s At-Risk Youth What can a public-private partnership do? June 27, 2008.
FastFacts: Manitoba Cities How Do We Really Rank? June 19, 2008.
Manitoba Budget 2008 Make Poverty Reduction a Priority. April 8, 2008.
Step by Step, Turning Things Around in Winnipeg’s Inner City. January 3, 2008.
Redirecting Federal Tax Cuts Could End Homelessness. November 16, 2007.
Housing, It's Time to Set Targets. May 17, 2007.
Manitoba Election 2007, Sorting Through the Smoke and Mirrors. April 26, 2007.
Manitoba Budget 2007. Commentary and Fact Sheets, A Budget Without Courage, April
5, 2007.
F. Evaluation Research and other commissioned research (un-published)
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Fridell, M. and MacKinnon, S. Community Gang Prevention Programs Best Practices
(2011). Prepared for Ndiniwemaaganag Endaawad.
MacKinnon, S. (2013). Evaluation of CEDA Pathways to Education (In progress). To be
submitted to Pathways to Education Canada.
MacKinnon, S. (2012). “Pathways is my Family”. Preliminary Evaluation of the
Community Education Development Association (CEDA) Pathways to Education
Program – Winnipeg. Prepared for Pathways to Education Canada.
MacKinnon, S. with CEDA Pathways to Education (2011). A Framework for Evaluating
Pathways to Education – Winnipeg Programming. Prepared for Pathways to Education
Canada.
MacKinnon, S. with CEDA Pathways to Education (2011). Predictive Indicators of
Successful Education Attainment. Prepared for Pathways to Education Canada.
Research Grants
A. Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)
CCPA-Mb has won three large SSHRC grants for inner city and northern Manitoba
research. These have been among the very few large SSHRC grants secured by nonuniversity
research institutes. For both of these grants, I have played a central role in
preparing the applications, and have served on both the Research Committee, which
allocates funding and makes policy decisions, and the three-person Management
Committee, which manages the overall research projects.
Title: Partnering for change: community based solutions for Aboriginal and inner-city
poverty
Source: SSHRC
Program Name: Partnership Grant
Role: Co-Chair/Co-Investigator
Total Amount: (CAN$) $2,500,000
Support Period: 2012 – 2018
Title: Transforming Inner City and Aboriginal Communities
Source: SSHRC
Program Name: CURA
Role: Co-Chair/ Co-Investigator
Total Amount: (CAN$): $1,000,000
Support Period: 2007-2012
Title: Community Economic Development in the New Economy
Source: SSHRC
Program Name: Initiatives in the New Economy
Role: Collaborator
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Total Amount: (CAN$): $ 900,000.
Support Period: 2003 – 2006
B. Other Research Grants
In addition to the above, I have been awarded research grants in the total amount of
$325,000 since 2005 for the following projects:
Title: Feasibility study for a labour market intermediary in Winnipeg’s inner city.
Source: $20,000 award from Manitoba Government
Role: Lead investigator
Total amount: (CAN$) $20,000
Support period: 2011
Title: Community based crime prevention programs – best practices
Source: Ndinwe
Role: Lead investigator
Total amount: (CAN$) $20,000
Support period: 2011
Title: A culturally relevant evaluation tool for Pathways to Education, Winnipeg
Source: Pathways to Education
Role: Lead investigator
Total amount: (CAN$) $25,000
Support period: (2011)
Title: Is participation having an impact? Measuring progress in Winnipeg’s inner city
through the voices of community-based program participants.
Source: Winnipeg Foundation
Role: Lead investigator
Total amount (CAN$) $50,000
Support Period: 2008
Title: State of the Inner City Reports
Source: United Way of Winnipeg, Government of Manitoba
Role: Lead investigator
Total amount: (CAN$) $210,000 over 7 years
Support period: 2005 – 2011
Scholarly Conference Presentations
MacKinnon S. (May 2012) The effectiveness of neo-liberal labour market policy as a
response to the poverty and social exclusion of Aboriginal second-chance learners.
Canadian Political Science Association, Edmonton, Alberta.
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MacKinnon, S. with Diane Roussin (2011). Aboriginal research networks. Fostering
Biimaadiziwin: National Research Conference on Urban Aboriginal Peoples, Toronto,
Ontario.
MacKinnon, S. (2010). Deep and damaging effects of intergenerational poverty
Social justice: Educating for action conference. Winnipeg, Manitoba.
MacKinnon (2010). Research and action toward equity. Health in Common Conference.
Winnipeg, Manitoba.
MacKinnon (2010). The view from here: Manitobans call for a poverty reduction plan.
Canadian Council on Social Development Conference. Calgary, Alberta.
MacKinnon, S. (2008). Poverty and Social Exclusion: What does it mean and what does
it have to do with crime prevention? City of Winnipeg, Conference on Crime Prevention.
Winnipeg, Manitoba.
MacKinnon, S. (2008). Is participation having an impact? CUExpo. Victoria, B.C.
MacKinnon, S. (2007). Participatory budgets. Parkland Institute annual conference.
Edmonton, Alberta.
MacKinnon, S. (2006). Policy: How to change it when it hurts. Alberta College of
Social Workers conference. Edmonton, Alberta.
MacKinnon, S. (2006). CED and Public Policy. Canadian Community Economic
Development Network, conference and annual general meeting. Winnipeg, Mb.
Areas of Research Interest and Expertise
Participatory Action Research
Community-based research
Social Policy
Political Advocacy
Urban Poverty and Social Exclusion
Aboriginal Issues
Colonization and Decolonizing Pedagogy
Housing Policy
Recent Volunteer Activities and Appointments
Member, Premier’s Advisory Council on Education and Poverty 2010 - Present
Member, Province of Manitoba – Minister of Housing and Community
Development, Roundtable on Rent Supply
2010 - Present
Member, Province of Manitoba – Sustainable Development Roundtable 2008 - 2010
Member, Board of Directors, Supporting Employment and Economic
Development (SEED) Winnipeg 2005 –2009
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Elected member, Canadian Community Economic Development Network
– Policy Council 2003-2009
Child and Family Services Volunteer – Respite and family support 1992- 2002
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