Administration
Rick Fehr, Director
Rick Fehr has been involved with Indigenous Education for more than twenty-years. As a non-Indigenous ally, Rick dedicates his life to enhancing the academic journey of Indigenous learners.
Originally from Wallaceburg, Ontario, Rick recognizes the land he was raised on as Treaty no. 7 land, also known as the Chenail Ecarté Tract. These lands were to be settled by the Anishinaabeg and other Indigenous allies.
He has been an Educational Development Officer for the Anishinabek Educational Institute, he developed a summer transitional program for Indigenous students at Nipissing University, and he was a former Acting Director of Indigenous Studies at Western.
Rick is married to Dr. Renee Bedard, an Anishinaabe-kwe scholar at Western, and he has two daughters, Willow and Juniper. He earned his undergraduate degree in Native Studies from Trent University and has a PhD in Environmental Studies from York University.
As the Acting Director, Rick’s goal is to create academic programming that serves Indigenous communities and responds in a meaningful way to the recommendations in the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions 94 calls to action.
Lillian Smallboy, Program Coordinator (Reconciliation)
Lillian Smallboy is a member of the Moose Cree First Nation, and is originally from Moose Factory, Ontario. Rooted in her identity, Lillian is deeply committed to the ongoing journey of truth and reconciliation. As the Reconciliation Program Coordinator, she feels honored to be able to contribute to advancing Western’s Indigenous Strategic Plan, fostering the integration of Indigenous ways of knowing, perspectives, and pedagogies into the core of university education.
Guided by a good mind and heart, she strives to draw upon her education, professional expertise, and lived experience to be of meaningful service in the Indigenous Studies program.
Charlie Biesinger, Academic Counsellor & Administrator
Charlie is a settler, who was born and raised in Anishinabek Territory. She is a mother of her (Mason, 13), happily married (Mark) and has a crazy but sweet dog (Willow). Charlie has worked at Western University since 2008.
Charlie wishes to educate herself and those around her about the history and ongoing issues that impact Indigenous community. Through her work in Indigenous Studies, she hopes to support action and responsibility for her personal role with reconciliation.
In Indigenous Studies, Charlie is the academic advisor, first point of contact for students, faculty and staff. She provides office administration, including management of the budget allocations, making and tracking faculty appointment and organizing special events. She works closely with the Director and with the students in Indigenous Studies program.
Charlie brings a wealth of experience and empathy to this role, and she looks forward to supporting you.
