Colleena Bibeau

Background

About Colleena Bibeau

Waaseanakwaadook indigoo. Gaa-waabaabiganikaag indoonjibaa. Makwa indoodem. My name is Colleena Bibeau, Pillager Band of Mississippi Anishinaabeg of the White Earth Nation - Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. Bear clan. As an Anishinaabekwe, historian, and educational leader, and scholar-practitioner of culturally responsive and sustaining practices, I am deeply committed to revitalizing Anishinaabe language, fostering sovereignty in education, and empowering Tribal Nations, students, and communities. I earned a Master of Arts in History, Federal Indian Policy, Native American Studies from the University of Nebraska Omaha. My thesis, Reimagining the Concrete Prairie: Omaha and the Advent of an Indian City, 1945-1980, explores intertribal networks and urban American Indian experiences. I also hold Bachelor of Arts degrees in History, Ojibwe, and American Indian Studies from the University of Minnesota Morris, which reflect my dedication to cultural revitalization and educational sovereignty. As an American Indian Education Support with the Minnesota Regional Centers of Excellence, now COMPASS, I facilitate the American Indian Education Network and implement evidence-based strategies to support systemic school improvement. My leadership roles have included serving as the 6-12 Dean of Students, where I managed master scheduling, behavioral supports, and scholarship administration, awarding over to graduating seniors. As an Ojibwe language teacher, I have facilitated language revitalization initiatives, led professional development sessions, and served on district leadership teams in public and Minnesota Tribally controlled schools. Beyond the classroom, I’ve contributed to community engagement efforts through my roles as a Director of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Indian Education Association, a member of Board of Directors and Vice President of Macrostie Art Center from 2021 - 2025, and a Minnesota Humanities consultant for the Why Treaties Matter in northern Minnesota districts. I have been honored with several awards, including the Charles Redd Center Teaching Western History Award, and I have shared my expertise at conferences on topics such as restorative practices and Anishinaabe family engagement. My passion for education and cultural advocacy drives me to amplify Anishinaabe voices and foster understanding across Tribal Nations and Tribal serving communities.