Vanessa is Mohawk and Anishnaabe and is of the Bear Clan. She is currently in the process of completing her PhD in Sociology at Queen's University. Her undergraduate degree is from Trent University in Native Studies and her Master's Degree was in the Indigenous Governance Program at the University of Victoria. Vanessa lives near the Grand River in Brantford, Ontario with her husband. Vanessa is happy to be closer to her home and family while working at McMaster. She brings her experience both as a student, former academic advisor and Student Counsellor at the Indigenous Studies Program to her role as Full-Time Lecturer.