The Indigenous Education Department

Meet Our Team

James Brake, Superintendent of Education: Student Achievement

James is Ktaqmkuk Elmastukwekis Mi’kmaw (Bay of Islands, NFLD) and settler. As Superintendent of Student Achievement, James supports the Cobourg Collegiate Institute and Thomas A Stewart Secondary School Family of Schools. He is also the Superintendent of Environment and Climate, as well as Student Leadership. His office is in the Education Centre, Peterborough.

TBD, System Principal of Program: Indigenous Education 

Melody Crowe, First Nation Education Liaison 

Melody is a member of the Mississaugas of Alderville First Nation. She has worked in our schools and communities, sharing her gifts, for nearly 30 years. She contributes to all Indigenous Education Department initiatives. Melody reports to the Superintendent of Indigenous Education. Her office is at Roseneath Centennial Public School. 

Marjolaine LaPointe, Indigenous Education Consultant, K-12 

Marjolaine is an Anishinaabe educator, Deer clan, from Ardoch First Nation. Prior to becoming a consultant, Marjolaine worked as a Grade 1-8 Anishinaabemowin teacher at Roseneath Centennial Public School. Previously, she worked as a consultant for the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Department. 

She contributes to all Indigenous Education Department initiatives. Marjolaine reports to the Principal of Indigenous Education. Her office is currently in the Education Centre, Peterborough.

Brittiny Stephenson, Indigenous Education Consultant, K-12

Brittiny Stephenson is a K-12 educator with a global perspective. She self-identifies as an Indigenous educator, non-status, with Mohawk and settler roots. She was born in Tkaronto (Toronto), raised in Nogojiwanong (Peterborough) and has spent nearly 13 years teaching and living around the world. Brittiny studied at Trent University where she completed an Honours Degree in Indigenous Studies and a second Degree in Education. She has over a decade of experience as a teacher, teacher trainer and literacy curriculum developer. She holds educational certificates in different fields and considers herself a risk-taker and lifelong learner. Brittiny reports to the Principal of Indigenous Education. Her office is currently in the Education Centre, Peterborough.

Rebekah Rego, Indigenous Student Success Coordinator

Rebekah Rego is Moose Clan and a proud member of Lac Seul First Nation located in the Treaty 3 region in northwestern Ontario. She attended Wilfrid Laurier University and recently, Fleming College where she obtained her Social Service Worker Diploma with the Indigenous Perspectives Designation. Her education and experience have provided her with a passion to work with individuals from a range of ages and nations through services that can assist their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Rebekah has lived experience in the private and public school systems. She looks forward to working with Indigenous students and is honoured to be a part of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board team. Her office is in the Education Centre, Peterborough.

Indigenous Graduation Coaches

The purpose of the Indigenous Graduation Coach is to support the well-being and achievement of Indigenous students with the goal of obtaining an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. In addition, the IGC provides supports to Indigenous students as they transition into post-secondary education, training or labour market opportunities.

Indigenous Student Workers

For many years, Indigenous Student Workers (ISW) have played a foundational role in KPR’s ongoing commitment to honour Indigenous knowledge, culture, perspective and history. The role of the Indigenous Student Worker is to build positive relationships with Indigenous students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 and focus on Indigenous student learning, engagement, success, and well-being. They provide direct, culturally-relevant supports and programming, based on each student’s individual cultural needs.

Nogojiwanong Friendship Center Alternative Secondary School Program (ASSP)

The Nogojiwanong Friendship Center Alternative Secondary School Program (ASSP), also known as Waawiye Kinoomaagzijig (Circle of Learning), offers standard Ontario secondary school curriculum, cultural programming (cultural credits), promotes Indigenous student success and provides an alternative learning environment for Indigenous learners wishing to obtain their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).  The cultural curriculum component allows for students to be introduced to a different way of learning, through an Indigenous pedagogical model which encourages critical thinking, innovative problem-solving, and independence.

Indigenous Education Advisory Committee

Members of the Committee

• First Nation Trustee S. Conway, Curve Lake First Nation (Committee Chairperson)
• A. Fleguel, Student Success Coordinator, Curve Lake First Nation
• K. MacMurray, Education Counsellor, Hiawatha First Nation
• A. Smoke, Education Manager, Alderville First Nation
• G. Heffernan, Peterborough and District Wapiti Métis Council
• P. Garbona, Oshawa and Durham Region Métis Council
• M. Nash, Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre
• N. Bell, Senior Indigenous Advisor, Trent University
• J. Brake, Superintendent: Indigenous Education, KPR
• M. Crowe, First Nation Education Liaison, KPR
• J. Fitzgerald, Principal, North Shore PS, KPR
• D. Callahan, Principal, Thomas A. Stewart SS, KPR
• M. Coradetti, Principal, Roseneath Centennial PS, KPR
• P. Knierim, Principal, Lakefield PS, KPR
• M. LaPointe, Consultant: Indigenous Education, KPR
• TBD, Principal of Program: Indigenous Education, KPR
• J. Patenall, Principal, Cobourg Collegiate Institute, KPR
• C. Honey, Executive Assistant to Superintendent James Brake, KPR