The Indigenous Education Department

Every day is a day for Indigenous education. Indigenous education is for everyone.

Did you know we have an Edsby Virtual Gathering Space for Indigenous Staff, Students, and Families? We regularly host virtual gatherings: for Primary/Junior Indigenous students and their families and for Grade 7 and up Indigenous students and their families. Contact our team if you know of someone who may like to join!

Meet Our Team

James Brake, Superintendent of Education: Indigenous Education

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.

He contributes to all Indigenous Education Department initiatives. His main office is in the Education Centre, Peterborough. He has an alternate space in the Northumberland Education Centre, Port Hope High School.

Areas of Focus

James' leadership supports KPR in creating an environment that honours Indigenous culture, knowledge, perspective and history while ensuring Indigenous students, staff and community see themselves reflected in their learning and working environments.
Leads system innovations. Some examples include:
- Improving the compensation and job stability of Anishinaabemowin teachers.
- Advocating for representatives from the Indigenous Education Department to be included in projects and initiatives across the system.
- Using data to impact Indigenous student achievement and well-being.
Frequent coaching, mentoring, and collaboration with the Principal of Indigenous Education.
Nurtures partnerships with Alderville First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, the Peterborough and District Wapiti Métis Council, the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, and other community partners.
Collaboration with Senior Team.
Contributes to all Indigenous Education Department initiatives.

Jennifer Cowie, Indigenous Education Consultant, K-12

Jennifer is new to our team. She contributes to all Indigenous Education Department initiatives. Jennifer reports to the Principal of Indigenous Education. Her office is in the Northumberland Education Centre, Port Hope High School.

Areas of Focus

Curriculum and Coaching Support for K-12 Teachers in Clarington Region and the Port Hope area schools.
Collaborates with OYAP and Skilled Trades projects.
Team Lead for the Virtual Learning and Sharing Series for Students and Staff.
Team Lead for the KPR Heart Garden Project.
Available to visit schools to lead staff learning on the Principles of Indigenous Education.
Support for Indigenous Youth Leadership Groups in Clarington Region and the Port Hope area schools.

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. Her office is at Roseneath Centennial Public School. (Due to COVID-19, Melody currently works from home and offers virtual visits).

Areas of Focus

Supports system awareness and connects with schools across KPR by sharing Indigenous histories, teachings, and perspectives with staff and students.

Provides advice, consults, guides, advocates and educates throughout KPR; to work towards enhancement and education of First Nation, Metis, and Inuit peoples' contribution within a Canadian history and within society today
Acts as a resource and presenter to KPR staff and students, the Liaison provides broad expertise and opportunities for a much deeper understanding of Indigenous people and culture.
Virtual visits with classes, usually 10-15 classes a week. Monthly visits with classes is preferred to build learning and relationship over time.
Regularly invited to offer greetings for system meetings.
Contributes to all Indigenous Education Department initiatives.

Colleen Honey, Executive Assistant to James Brake

Colleen is a valued member of our team. She supports all our work and is the keeper of the Indigenous Education Department archives. Her office is in the Education Centre, Peterborough.

Areas of Focus

Support with all communications, budget, and the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee.
Supports planning, implementation, and distribution of the new Indigenous Education Department Lending Library.
Contributes to all Indigenous Education initiatives.

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.

Areas of Focus

Curriculum and coaching support for K-12 Teachers in Northumberland and Peterborough Regions.
Direct support of all Anishinaabemowin programs and staff.
Primary Support of the NBE Grade 11 English Program.
Available to visit schools to lead staff learning on the Principles of Indigenous Education, Passport to Reconciliation , Land Acknowledgements, Evaluating Texts for Anti-Indigenous Bias, and the Holistic Approach to Indigenous Education.
Collaboration with the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Department to support Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy.
Collaboration with Safe Schools team to support the KPR Keeping Students Safe: Policy Framework for School Board Anti-Sex Trafficking Protocols. Interest and expertise in Restorative Practice and Justice.
Support for Indigenous Youth Leadership Groups in Northumberland and Peterborough Regions.

Jessica Outram, Principal of Program: Indigenous Education, K-12

Jessica is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario from the Georgian Bay Métis Community (Solomon and Berger/Beaudoin Verified Métis family lines). Prior to becoming a system Principal of Program, Jessica worked as a high school English and Drama teacher, Student Success Teacher, Literacy Coach, Secondary Vice Principal, and Elementary Principal.

She contributes to all Indigenous Education Department initiatives. Jessica reports to the Superintendent of Indigenous Education. Her office is in the Northumberland Education Centre, Port Hope High School.

Areas of Focus

Support for Principals and Vice Principals.
Expertise in Métis knowledge, history, perspective, and culture.
Principal of the Urban Indigenous Secondary School at Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre
Supports achievement and well-being for Indigenous students. School, system, and community contact for Indigenous student needs.
- Coordinates, monitors, and supports all referrals to Indigenous Student Workers.
- Coordinates, monitors, and supports Indigenous Grad Coach Programs.
- Attends High Needs Intakes, School Team Meetings, Case Conferences, and System Team Meetings for Indigenous students.
- Connects with community resources for student support (including Alderville First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services, the Peterborough and District Wapiti Métis Council, and others).
- Collaboration with Special Education, Mental Health and Wellbeing staff as a resource to support with individual student cases.
- KPR contact for all Jordan's Principle referrals.
Collaboration with System Principals and Senior Managers.
Leading Professional Learning for Various Departments and Educators.

Indigenous Student Workers

KPR has four Indigenous Student Workers (ISW) supporting students across multiple schools. The purpose of the Indigenous Student Worker is to support the well-being and achievement of Indigenous students with the goal of obtaining an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. In addition, the ISW provides direct culturally relevant supports to Indigenous students in Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Indigenous Graduation Coaches

KPR has three Indigenous Graduation Coaches (IGC) supporting students in schools. 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.

Urban Indigenous Alternative Secondary School

The Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre Alternative Secondary School Program is for the adolescent who may be having difficulty coping in the present educational system, may have been out of school for awhile and/or needs assistance in returning to the mainstream school system for the student who is ready to make a commitment that offers high school credits within an Indigenous milieu. The goal of the program is for each student to experience success so that they may continue the path toward lifelong learning. Contact Colleen Honey for more information.

Indigenous Education Advisory Committee

Members of the Committee 2021-22

First Nation Trustee K. Dupuis (Committee Chairperson)
Fleguel, Student Success Coordinator, Curve Lake First Nation
K. MacMurray, Education Counsellor, Hiawatha First Nation
Smoke, Education Manager, Alderville First Nation
B. Card, Peterborough and District Wapiti Métis Council
P. Garbona, Oshawa and Durham Region Métis Council
C. Gray, 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
M. Foulkes, Principal, Thomas A. Stewart SS, KPR
D. Graham, Principal, Roseneath Centennial PS, KPR
P. Knierim, Principal, Lakefield PS, KPR
M. LaPointe, Consultant: Indigenous Education, KPR
J. Outram, Principal of Program: Indigenous Education, KPR
J. Patenall, Principal, Cobourg Collegiate Institute, KPR
D. Smith, Consultant: Indigenous Education, KPR
C. Honey, Executive Assistant to Superintendent James Brake, KPR