Dr. Shauneen Pete – Dean
Dr. Shauneen Pete (pesakastew iskwewak) is a member of Little Pine First Nation in Treaty 6 Territory and has family connections to Cowessess First Nation in Treaty 4 Territory. She is the eldest daughter of Eileen Agecoutay and the late Jacob Pete.
Dr. Pete is a graduate of the Indian Teacher Education Program at the University of Saskatchewan. She began her career as a high school teacher and educational consultant in Saskatoon before earning a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and subsequently a PhD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Saskatchewan.
Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Pete has made significant contributions to teacher education and has taught across a range of disciplines, including Women’s and Gender Studies, Indigenous Studies, Leadership Studies, and Interdisciplinary Studies. She has also held a number of senior academic leadership positions, including Vice-President (Academic) and Interim President at the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv), as well as Chair of the Emerging Indigenous Scholars Circle at Royal Roads University.
Dr. Pete currently serves as Dean of the National College of Indigenous Scholars at the First Nations University of Canada, where she provides leadership in advancing Indigenous scholarship, research, and education.
Lauren Petersen – Research Assistant
Lauren Petersen is a Two-Spirit Métis woman with maternal roots run deep in the Red River, descending from the Gagne, Ducharme, Gladue, Laframboise, Richot, Blondeau, Hughs, Bedard, Berriault, Trottier, and Ross families. Her grandmother Rose Gagne was raised in the historic Métis community of Ste. Rita, MB (formerly Craig Siding). Her ancestors lived in St. Anne de Chenes, Fort Carlton, St. Boniface, St. Vital, Cross Lake, Fort Augustus, St Norbert and St. Francis Xavier prior to taking scrip. Lauren was raised in Langley, BC and currently lives in Winnipeg, MB.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History, a Graduate Diploma in Cultural Resource Management, and a Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Victoria. She also has a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Cambridge University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Indigenous Studies at the University of Manitoba, focusing on Metis Education policy and equity in post secondary systems
Lauren is passionate about cultural revitalization, storytelling, equity in education, anti-racism, Michif language revitalization, generational leadership and animal welfare. She is excited to join the NCIS team as research assistant.
Anthony Nickel – Coordinator
Anthony Nickel (wāpastim) is a mixed-race Cree man born and raised in Treaty 6 territory. He is a proud descendant of Grace Adam, an influential Cree educator who taught in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and was a residential school survivor.
Anthony holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Education, both from the University of Saskatchewan. He is currently working at completing his Master’s of Education in Educational Foundations from the University of Saskatchewan. His topic focuses on examining rurally taught teacher candidates’ experiences and understanding of racism and anti-racist education through a critical race theory lens.
Anthony started his career as a high school and middle years teacher in Maple Creek Saskatchewan for nine years before resigning and moving his young family up to Saskatoon to seek new career opportunities and be closer to family. He began working as a sessional lecturer in the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan last year while continuing to work on his Master’s.
Anthony came into the role of Coordinator for the National College of Indigenous Scholars (NCIS) at the end of July 2026 and has been busy crafting a communication strategy while planning various events that are guiding the structure a national Indigenous-led mentorship pilot program. His passion for anti-racism and equity in education have made him an effective addition to the NCIS team and he looks forward to the work ahead.