Charlene Bearhead
is a mother, grandmother, community member, experienced educator and education innovator with 30 years of regional, national and international experience in the field. Most recently Charlene served as the first Education Lead for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba. Currently Charlene serves as the Education Coordinator for the National Inquiry in to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the Coordinator - First Nations, Métis and Inuit Relations for the Alberta School Boards Association and an Education Consultant for CASS as well as the co-chair of the Downie-Wenjack Fund Board of Directors and is a member of the Pathways to Education Canada Indigenous Education Advisory Circle.
Charlene previously served as the National Coordinator for Project of Heart, the primary focus of which is the education of Canadians on the history and legacy of Indian Residential Schools in Canada, and for the National Day of Healing and Reconciliation, the primary goal of which is to educate Canadians on the legacy of federal government policy on various ethnic groups throughout Canada’s history and to promote respect and reconciliation. Ms. Bearhead coordinated the Education Days within the TRC National Events for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which focused on inspiring teachers and students to further educate themselves around the history and legacy of Indian Residential Schools as well as to support and facilitate the building of positive and respectful relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Canada.