Catherine McCullough
Ms McCullough is of Métis ancestry and was born in Orillia, Ontario. She graduated with a Master of Education from Brock University in St. Catharines and has been involved in education for more than 25 years.

Since 2007, she has been the Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. Previous to that she had many years of senior administrative experience as the Superintendent of Program and Special Education in the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.

Ms McCullough is the Co-chair of the Directors’ Council on Aboriginal Education (DCAE) - a joint committee composed of Ontario Directors of Education and the Ministry of Education. The focus of DCAE is to build awareness and support for Aboriginal education, and to provide the opportunity for district school boards to share innovative strategies and initiatives related to improving learning for Aboriginal students.

Christy Bressette
Christy 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 Dave 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 educational programs designed to empower Aboriginal youth and increase parental engagement. At present, she is the Aboriginal Education Coordinator at the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC). More locally, Christy is the Chair of the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation Education Committee and member of the Board of Directors of the Indigenous Education Coalition.

Nathan Matthew - Doctor of Letters, honoris causa
Mr. Matthew is a member of the Simpcw First Nation and has served as Simpcw chief from 1976/77, 1985-87 and from 1989 to 2006, initiating many community-building educational and financial initiatives.

Matthew holds a Master of Education degree from UBC. Education has been a priority for Matthew throughout his professional career, and he has been called the education chief of Canada. He was a founding member and continuous chair of the First Nations Education Council for School District #73, and also served as chair of the Chief’s Committee on Education for the Assembly of First Nations.

Nathan Matthew has also served as First Nations representative to the provincial Education Advisory, political advisor and negotiator for the First Nations Education Steering Committee, signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding with provincial and federal education partners to work on behalf of First Nations students, and First Nations signatory to the Education Jurisdiction agreement.

Nathan Matthew, in his role as planner, strategist, relationship-builder, supporter and spokesperson for First Nations has provided consistency and stability to his community and other aboriginal organizations. His belief in the potential of and his efforts in demonstrating the capacity for First Nations self-determination has made him an important voice for First Nations aspirations.