Convocation Speaker Christy Bressette Monday, June 17, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
of the first Indigenous women to earn a Ph.D. in educational studies from Western, where she also earned her B.A. (Honours) in history and B.Ed. (with distinction). After completing her studies, she taught at the primary and secondary levels in Ontario and British Columbia, where she was able to provide students and fellow staff with insight into Indigenous ways of being and knowing. She also designed and taught several graduate-level courses related to Indigenous culture and education in Western’s Faculty of Education, helping to widen the University’s pedagogical scope. In 2017-18, she co-chaired the Provost’s Task Force on the Implementation of Western’s Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP). Her efforts laid the groundwork for the major developments in Indigenous outreach since undertaken by the University. In 2021, Western established the Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII) and asked Christy to lead it. She has done so for the past three years, growing its staff complement and expanding its activities to fulfil the strategic goals outlined in the ISP. A major milestone in OII’s trajectory was the opening of the Wampum Learning Lodge in November of 2022. The Lodge is an Indigenous- designed space dedicated to the advancement of Indigenous ways of knowing and being on campus, as well as a centre that builds and coordinates relationships with local Indigenous communities. It serves as the hub for Indigenous life on campus and is a major venue for showcasing Indigenous culture and broadening the educational experience of everyone at Western. Throughout her career, Christy has demonstrated an ability to bridge cultural differences between people and promote inclusive, equitable and quality education opportunities for all. Her extensive experience in our educational systems, at both the pedagogical and administrative levels, has positioned her well to help implement Western’s overall strategic plan. In particular, she is committed to realizing Western’s stated goal of achieving Reconciliation with Indigenous Communities, as articulated in Towards Western at 150 , the University’s strategic plan.
Christy R. Bressette is Western’s first Vice-Provost & Associate Vice-President (Indigenous Initiatives). Christy — whose Anishinabek name is Neeta-Noo- Kee Kwe (Hard-Working Woman) —joined Western on March 1, 2021, after two decades of work spent advancing Indigenous education in Canada. Her most prominent role before coming to Western was to serve as the National Coordinator for Indigenous Education with the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC). Beginning in 2008, she led CMEC in developing policy related to Indigenous education, as well as advising provincial and territorial ministries of education on how to implement their Indigenous education strategies. She has also been active in supporting the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee and Lenape nations in the Greater London Area, together with local friendship centres, in advancing educational outcomes for Indigenous learners in the areas of policy, curriculum and governance. Christy has strong ties to Western, which serve her well in helping to shape the University’s mandate and Indigenous education strategy. She is one
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