A Mi'kmaq educator originally from the Potlo'tek First Nations in Nova Scotia, Dr. Marie Battiste is a full professor in the College of Education at the University of Saskatoon, Director of the Aboriginal Educational Research Centre at the University of Saskatchewan, and a co-director of the Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre - Canadian Council on Learning. She is one of Canada's most influential researchers in the field of Indigenous and First Nations education, and a technical expert to the United Nations on issues surrounding the education of Indigenous peoples.

Dr. Battiste's writings have focused on topics that include cognitive imperialism, linguistic and cultural integrity, and the decolonization of Aboriginal education. Her research interests are in initiating institutional change in the decolonization of education, language and social justice policy and power, and educational approaches that recognize and affirm the political and cultural diversity of Canada and the ethical protection of indigenous knowledge.

These interests reflect a rich academic background, which includes graduate studies at Harvard University and later Stanford University, where she earned her doctorate in curriculum and teacher education. Dr. Battiste's academic credentials also include a B.S. in Elementary and Junior High Education (1971) from the University of Maine, Farmington; she was also presented with an honorary degree from that institution and another from St. Mary's University.

Dr. Battiste's background also includes actively working with First Nations schools and communities as an administrator, teacher, consultant and curriculum developer. Her efforts have helped to advance Aboriginal epistemology, languages, pedagogy and research.

Dr. Battiste has published numerous articles and scholarly papers in books, journals and documents, and remains involved in research on Aboriginal education, languages, teachers and teacher education. She is co-author of Protecting Indigenous Knowledge: a Global Challenge, (Saskatoon, SK: Purich Press, 2000), editor of Reclaiming Indigenous Voice and Vision, (Vancouver: UBC Press, 2000) and co-editor of First Nations Education in Canada: The Circle Unfolds (Vancouver: UBC Press, 1995). She received the 2000 First Peoples Publishing Award for Protecting Indigenous Knowledge and Heritage: A Global Challenge, from the Saskatchewan Book Awards.

Dr. Battiste is a board member of the International Research Institute for Maori and Indigenous Education (University of Auckland, New Zealand). She is also a member of the founding board of the Canadian Council on Learning, and a member of the Circle of Experts for the Aboriginal Language Task Force for Heritage Canada.

She has previously sat on the board of governors for the University College of Cape Breton and Dalhousie University, and the board of directors of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).