Rebecca Chartrand


Rebecca Chartrand is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada representing the riding of Churchill—Keewatinook Aski.
Chartrand is an Anishinaabe educator, arts advocate, and leader in Indigenous education and reconciliation in Canada. She is the President and CEO of Indigenous Strategy, an organization dedicated to advancing Indigenous inclusion through education, policy, and community engagement. With over 25 years of experience, Chartrand has held senior leadership roles in K–12 and post-secondary education, as well as in the arts sector.
On May 13, 2025, she was named to the 30th Canadian Ministry as minister of northern and Arctic affairs and minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.

Early life and education

Chartrand is Anishinaabe from Treaty 4 territory in Manitoba. She earned a Bachelor of Education in 1997 and a Master of Education in 2016 from the University of Manitoba. Her graduate research focused on Anishinaabe pedagogy, emphasizing land-based learning and Indigenous worldviews.

Career

Seven Oaks School Division

Chartrand served as Division Lead for Aboriginal Education at Seven Oaks School Division in Winnipeg for seven years. During her tenure, she led the development of the division's first anti-racism policy in 2021 and was instrumental in establishing Manitoba's first Ojibwe bilingual school in 2016, offering both English and Ojibwe language instruction.

Red River College Polytechnic

In 2017, Chartrand was appointed Executive Director of Indigenous Strategy at Red River College Polytechnic. She oversaw the creation of seven new academic programs, secured $1.4 million in new funding, and established two student support units. Her work focused on expanding Indigenous student supports, developing new academic programming and strengthening partnerships with Indigenous communities.
In early March, 2019, Rebecca oversaw the implementation of a prospective student survey for Indigenous students which many found to be offensive due to its reliance on stereotypes, and "was intended to evaluate how much financial assistance prospective students would receive."
At least three Red River College Polytechnic employees were impacted following the survey: one employee's employment was terminated by Chartrand after Global News published the survey results, another employee resigned citing concerns over the institution's response, and according to an independent legal review, a third employee experienced what the reviewing law firm characterized as conduct that was "severe in that such conduct could reasonably cause an individual to be humiliated or intimidated and was repeated, and had a lasting, harmful effect".

Indspire

Chartrand later served as Vice President at Indspire, a national Indigenous charity that supports education and achievement. Under her leadership, Indspire awarded $20 million in bursaries and scholarships to students in 2021, marking a record in the organization's history.

Indigenous Strategy

Currently, Chartrand is the President and CEO of Indigenous Strategy, where she continues to advocate for Indigenous inclusion and reconciliation through education and policy initiatives.

Arts and cultural work

Chartrand is also active in the arts. She received a Canadian Aboriginal Music Award in 2000 for her CD "Onjida," a compilation of Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee melodies and songs. She co-wrote and performed in the play "Those Damn Squaws," which addresses issues of racism, exploitation, and violence against Indigenous women. She is currently working to revive the play, nearly three decades after its original performance.

Board memberships and advisory roles

Chartrand serves on several boards and advisory councils, including the Health Sciences Centre Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, the National Museum of Nature, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Indigenous Education Advisory Council. She has also collaborated with organizations such as the Canadian Bureau of International Education, the Canadian Teachers' Federation, the Manitoba Teachers' Society, the Manitoba Treaty Relations Commission, and the Indigenous Inclusion Directorate of Manitoba Education.

Public engagement

In March 2022, Chartrand organized a national summit titled "Enhancing Indigenous Achievement in Post-Secondary Education," focusing on institutional responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action. She continues to volunteer her time to support initiatives that empower and celebrate Indigenous communities.