Advocating for education, inclusion
WiPeople First president focuses on helping those who need help
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Heidi Hutchison is frank when describing her commitment to People First of Manitoba, a group that represents Manitobans who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“I don’t stop,” the volunteer says. “People First does not stop for me at all. Period.”
After founding People First of Winnipeg a few years ago, Hutchison was elected president of the provincial chapter in 2025.
Members of People First have the opportunity to socialize, share experiences, advocate for change, and learn new information and skills.
It’s part of a wider network of groups throughout North America, Europe and Australia.
The organization’s goals include educating the community, promoting inclusion and advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves.
These goals resonate with Hutchison.
“…I’m a very high-functioning person with an intellectual disability, so I think it’s important that I help others that need help,” the 39-year-old St. Vital resident says.
Hutchison says she’s faced numerous barriers as a result of living with an intellectual disability, including to her education and professional life. Whenever someone questioned her abilities when she was in high school, Hutchison says she used their doubt to fuel her determination.
“People learned very quickly with me not to make assumptions about me, because I would prove them wrong,” she says.
Some people didn’t think Hutchison would be able to pursue post-secondary studies, but she entered the culinary arts program at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (then known as Winnipeg Technical College).
She went on to study nutrition and family studies at the University of Manitoba, and eventually found work at the university — first in the kitchen, and more recently with caretaking services.
In recent months, Hutchison and her fellow People First members have been focused on rebuilding the provincial chapter, which lost members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to organizing monthly virtual meetings, Hutchison helps manage the chapter’s budget, meets with government officials to advocate for people with disabilities, and gives presentations in which she talks about her personal experiences and promotes the chapter.
Highlight experiences include travelling to Alberta and Ontario to compare notes with People First chapters in those provinces.
“I am there for the people who can’t speak for themselves (and) I am there for the people who are learning to speak for themselves,” she says. “(I know) multiple families with children that have intellectual disabilities, and I do it for them — for the future.”
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Heidi Hutchison volunteers as the president of People First of Manitoba, a group that serves as a voice for Manitobans with intellectual disabilities.
Hutchison is looking for more people who self-identify as having an intellectual disability to get involved with People First of Manitoba.
She’s also looking for people without intellectual disabilities to volunteer their time as advisers, who are present at People First meetings and public events to support members and help them if they need it.
Anyone interested in getting involved can call 204-899-2924 or email peoplefirstmanitoba@gmail.com.
“All of those emails come directly to me,” Hutchison says. “I will get them and I will respond.”
***
After 12 years and a bit more than 600 columns, I’m stepping away from the volunteers beat to dedicate more time to writing for the Free Press business section.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Heidi Hutchison volunteers as the president of People First of Manitoba, a group that serves as a voice for Manitobans with intellectual disabilities.
Sharing good news about what’s happening in Winnipeg and other parts of the province has meant so much to me, and I’m going to miss it. At the same time, I’m looking forward to new challenges.
Recently, an editor at the paper told me she was in awe that I was able to find a subject every week. The truth is that it was never difficult. There are so many volunteers who do incredible work to improve their communities and our province as a whole.
That’s why I’m glad that someone I greatly admire, AV Kitching, is stepping in to take over this column. If you know a special volunteer, be sure to email her at av.kitching@freepress.mb.ca.