Indigenous Education

RGIE

COU Reference Group on Indigenous Education 2025-26

The Reference Group on Indigenous Education is comprised of educators, counsellors, and administrators from universities and works to build and support a continuum of education and development that enables Indigenous students to access learning and to thrive on their learning journey.

Key Contact

Éilis Karry

Policy Specialist

416-979-2165
ext. 263 | [email protected]

MemberTitleInstitution
Martin BayerVice-President, Nyaagaaniid – Student Success and Anishinaabe InitiativesAlgoma University
Robyn BourgeoisActing Vice-Provost, Indigenous EngagementBrock University
Benny MichaudDirector, Centre for Indigenous InitiativesCarleton University
Cara WehkampAssistant Vice-President (Indigenous Initiatives)University of Guelph
Natasha YoungManager, Indigenous Student CentreUniversity of Guelph
Denise BaxterVice-Provost, Aboriginal InitiativesLakehead University
Mary LaurDirector, Indigenous Sharing and Learning CenterLaurentian University
Dominic BeaudryAssociate Vice President, Academic and Indigenous ProgramsLaurentian University
Beverly JacobsVice-Provost, IndigenousMcMaster University
Chrissy DoolittleIndigenous Student ServicesMcMaster University
TBCNipissing University
Melissa GeneralDirector, Indigenous InitiativesOCAD University
Francine PeltierManager, Indigenous Student CentreOCAD University
Aimée DanisDirector of Indigenous and Cultural RelationsOntario Tech University
Tareyn JohnsonDirector of Indigenous AffairsUniversity of Ottawa
Lisa MaracleAssociate Vice-Principal (Indigenous Initiatives)Queen's University
Mika HenryAssociate Director, Office of Indigenous InitiativesQueen's University
Dawn Lavell-HarvardDirector, First Peoples House of LearningTrent University
TBCTrent University
Shannon SimpsonSenior Director, Indigenous InitiativesUniversity of Toronto
Verne RossSenior Lead, Indigenous Student Services, First Nations HouseUniversity of Toronto
Shannon SimpsonSenior Director, Indigenous InitiativesUniversity of Toronto
Monica McKayDirector, Aboriginal InitiativesToronto Metropolitan University
Emma SmithManager, Indigenous Student ExperienceUniversity of Waterloo
Melissa IrelandDirector, Indigenous RelationsUniversity of Waterloo
Christy BressetteVice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Indigenous Initiatives)Western University
Paula Cornelius-HedgepethDirector, Indigenous Engagement and Wampum Learning LodgeWestern University
Darren ThomasAssociate Vice-President, Indigenous InitiativesWilfrid Laurier University
Victoria HecnarTurtle Island Event Planning and Communications Coordinator, Indigenous Student Services CentreUniversity of Windsor
Dayna TowersIndigenous Initiatives Lead, Indigenous InitiativesYork University
Audrey RochetteAssistant Vice-President, Indigenous initiativesYork University
RGIE