Bonnie Yvonne Bressette, C.M.
Kettle Point First Nation, Ontario
Bonnie Bressette is a nation builder in the Anishinaabe tradition. An esteemed Elder of the Kettle Point First Nation, she was a long-serving band council member and the first woman to serve as its chief. She expertly managed portfolios that expanded economic development and increased opportunities for future generations. Her influence and wisdom were essential during the Ipperwash Crisis, during which she worked to mitigate tensions and help the Stony Point First Nation reclaim their land. Her activism also guided the creation of the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement and the Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin.