Terena Francis is a Mi’kmaw woman from Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation. She is the daughter of the late Sarah Jane Johnson, of Eskasoni First Nation and the late Thomas Francis of Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation and is the proud mother of Andre and Sierra Julian. Terena has been supporting Indigenous students for over 20 years. Her career began with the Paqtnkek Day Care, later transitioning to the Primary-12 school serving her home community. Terena is now the Coordinator of Indigenous Student Affairs at St. Francis Xavier University, where she directly supports Indigenous students navigating post-secondary. Recently, Terena was elected as a Band Councillor for Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation. Terena’s passion has always been focused on ensuring students’ educational experiences are meaningful and rewarding by providing students with safe and welcoming services. Terena earned her Master’s of Education with a focus on Cultural Relevant Pedagogy in 2020 and her goal is to use it alongside the teachings gifted to her by her Elders and family to change settler society’s deficit narrative of Indigenous students and communities.