Dr. Christy Rochelle Bressette

Dr. Christy Rochelle Bressette is an Anishinabe parent, student, teacher, and community member of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation. She was given the spirit name Neta Noo-Ke Kwe (Hard-Working-Woman) from her grandfather, the late Elder David Bressette. On June 23, 2008, Christy successfully defended her doctoral dissertation, Understanding Success in Community First Nation Education Through Anishinabe Meno-Bimaadziwin Action Research, making her the first Aboriginal student at the University of Western Ontario to earn a Ph.D. in Educational Studies. Christy is an educator within provincial public schools, First Nation schools, and within several Canadian universities. She is an active supporter of programs designed to empower Aboriginal youth and increase parental engagement and community participation in education. At present, she is the coordinator of Aboriginal education at the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada, special advisor to the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative, First Nation representative of the Lambton Kent District School Board Special Education Advisory Committee, Governor at Lambton College, and a member of the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation Education Committee.