Community Research Partner

Rachel Charette is Red River Métis, with both sides of her family descending from scrip-bearing Métis families rooted in southeastern Manitoba. She was appointed Deputy Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth in September 2025, where she is responsible for serious injury and child death reviews and investigations, as well as research and quality assurance and public education.

Rachel brings a broad range of experience in community-based and community-engaged research, Indigenous research methodologies and knowledges, education, facilitation, and systems change. Her work is grounded in Indigenous approaches to relationship, accountability, reciprocity, and community leadership, with a focus on research that is meaningful to communities and can contribute to practical change.

Over the past decade, Rachel has held senior leadership roles in Indigenous education, student supports, and community relations, and has worked as an educator, facilitator, trainer, and consultant. Her work has included supporting organizations and educational programs to incorporate Indigenous perspectives and approaches, strengthen curricula, and engage in decolonization and reconciliation.

Earlier in her career, Rachel worked in social services and community development, with a focus on justice and systems reform. Her work included establishing a criminal diversion program for Indigenous youth. Her early research experience included working with the late Honourable Murray Sinclair on the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Inquest into the deaths of 12 infants. She has also served her community through various board and community initiatives.

Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, and Master of Social Work based in Indigenous Knowledges and is pursuing a PhD in Indigenous Studies. She is passionate about creating spaces where Indigenous knowledge, community experience, and research can come together to support meaningful change in the lives of children, youth, families, and communities.