love, equity & justice
photo by Devon Paige (2025)
Biography
Michael Redhead Champagne is an Ininew speaker, host, author, on-screen personality and advocate for children, youth and families and is committed to systems change through love, equity and justice.
Originally from Shamattawa First Nation, Michael has spent most of his life in the North End of Winnipeg and now travels to different territories sharing stories, community organizing models and published works including his first children’s book & “We Need Everyone”, a graphic novel/creation story about him, “Little By Little: You Can Change The World”, both with HighWater Press. A sought after public speaker, event host, published author, critical thinker, systems challenger and community organizer, he has also appeared on various political panels, podcasts and television shows including APTN’s First Contact & Michif Country. Michael is knowledgeable in various subject areas including youth engagement, health, child welfare, education and creating action plans. He is an avid volunteer, co-founder of Zoongizi Ode Inc, community curator for North End History, organizes the Ininimotan Language Table and hosts the annual North End Graduation Walk. Michael applies strength-based perspectives and humour to solve complicated challenges and believes that Indigenous knowledge will save the world.
Adventures, awards & appointments
Adventures
2024 Established North End History (replacing the NE Historical Association)
2024 Little By Little: You Can Change the World (Graphic Novel) with HighWater Press is released
2024 We Need Everyone (Children’s Book) with Highwater Press is released
2024 Last Manitoba Meal episode 2 guest
2023 Initiated and hosted Ininímotán Language Table @ St John’s Library
2022 Founder of North End Graduation Walk
2022 Contributor to Youth Climate Lab’s Infiltration Manual
2021 Michif Country - Episode 6 guest (APTN)
2021 Protect Our People MB Campaign influencer
2021 Pray For Me Darryl Buck’s second round dance album, contributor to track “wakotowin”
2020 Zoongizi Ode Inc (formerly Fearless R2W) - Co-founder & board chair
2019 Sounding of the Conch - Travelled to Belize to work with Maya youth on building their own youth led movement
2019 First Contact Season 2 Advisor and host of live reunion show (APTN)
2018 First Contact Season 1 - Episode 1 guest host (APTN)
2017 Walrus Talks “We Want A Better History”
2017 Hope Darryl Buck’s round dance album, contributor to title track
2016 TEDxUniversityOfWinnipeg “Street Education”
2012 TEDxManitoba “Talk Oppression To Opportunity”
Awards & Appointments
2025 Indigenous Excellence Advisory Committee (Government of Manitoba)
2024 Witness for the Witness Blanket at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
2023 Member of Manitoba Poverty & Education Task Force
2020 Canadian Urban Institute Regional Lead - Winnipeg
2018-21 Kids Help Phone - Indigenous Advisory Committee
2018 Government of Manitoba Child Welfare Legislative Review Committee
2018 Kids Help Phone Regional Volunteer Award - Adult
2017 Member of the Expert Panel on Youth Employment with Employment and Social Development Canada
2017 Governor General Meritorious Service Decoration recipient for Outstanding Indigenous Leadership
2016 Member of Bank of Canada #bankNOTEable advisory committee which selected Viola Desmond to appear on the new $10 bill
2016 Canadian Red Cross Manitoba Young Humanitarian of the Year
2016 CBC Manitoba Future 40 recipient
2015 TIME Magazine Next Generation Leader
2013 Our Manitoba Hero
2009 Future Leader of Manitoba
2008 Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award - Community (Senior)
Frequently Asked Questions
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Michael’s job is being a public speaker, a host and an author. He has been supported by the team at POP Entertainment & Management since May of 2012!
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Michael was born on April 13, 1987 in Winnipeg, MB!
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Michael currently blogs at MichaelRedheadChampagne.com/BLOG and has been blogging here since April 2020!
Over the years his blogs have been eMCeeZ LoG on Blogger from 2009-2012, and North End MC on WordPress from 2012-2020.
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In 2022, Michael volunteers with Fearless R2W Inc, North End Community Renewal Corporation & the Manitoba Health Coalition as a board member. These connect him to a number of other groups and coalition around community development, health and justice.
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Michael has written one (1) children’s book released in January 2024, We Need Everyone.
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Michael has never done any TED Talks, but has participated in 2 TEDx Talks, which are locally organized events of a similair nature. In 2012 he spoke at TEDxManitoba and delivered the talk entitled “Oppression to Opportunity” and in 2016 he delivered a TEDxUniversityofWinnipeg Talk entitled Street Education.
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Yes Michael has a pet, an awesome grey cat named Sushi.
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You will get a different answer based on the mood he is in. He loves blue and yellow and red and pink. He also loves a good gradient of any number of sunset type colours!