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.

Marguerite Masterson, System Principal of Program: Indigenous Education

Marguerite is the Principal of Program: Indigenous Education. She brings extensive experiences as a seasoned KPR Administrator. Marguerite is an active ally of the department, the communities that we serve and the many initiatives that support Indigenous Education. She is a lead-learner with principal and vice-principal colleagues and prioritizes the Principles of Indigenous Education at KPRDSB. Her office is in the Education Center. 

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 School Support: Peterborough Schools 

Marjolaine is the Indigenous Education Consultant supporting Peterborough Schools.

Brittiny Stephenson, Indigenous Education Consultant, K-12 School Support: Clarington Schools

Brittiny is the Indigenous Education Consultant supporting Clarington Schools. 

Marilyn Robitaille, Indigenous Education Consultant, K-12 School Support: Northumberland Schools

Marilyn is the Indigenous Education Consultant supporting Northumberland Schools. 

Rebekah Rego, Indigenous Student Success Coordinator

Rebekah is the Student Success Coordinator supporting Indigenous Graduation Coaches and Indigenous Student Workers for all K- 12 Schools at Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. 

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. Gabona, 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
• B. Stephenson, Consultant: Indigenous Education, KPR
• M. Robitaille, Consultant: Indigenous Education, KPR
• M. Masterson, Principal of Program: Indigenous Education, KPR
• J. Patenall, Principal, Cobourg Collegiate Institute, KPR
• C. Honey, Executive Assistant to Superintendent James Brake, KPR