Meet the Director

A Letter from Brenda Papineau

Having spent more than half of my life at St. Lawrence University, I am truly honored to be its first Director of Native American Affairs. 

My journey as a Laurentian started in eighth grade when I was recruited by St. Lawrence to participate in a Pre-Collegiate Opportunity Program. Then, every year thereafter, I spent my summers on campus participating in the Upward Bound Program, and as a first-generation college student, I graduated from St. Lawrence through the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). I am a product of various opportunity programs, and I am certain this shaped my passion for helping others succeed in their educational pursuits. 

I am Mohawk from the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, the oldest of six children, and I have a daughter named Danica. We live in Akwesasne, approximately 40 miles from campus. In addition to my new role as Director of Native American Affairs, I am Director of Community-Based Learning, where I facilitate opportunities for students to be immersed in the community through their academic work. I am a member of the Intergroup Dialogue team, Diversity Committee, and in recent years, I served as a Title IX Investigator. 

While the scope of my work in Native American Affairs is still in its infancy, I am excited by the energy and intention that students and colleagues are making to incorporate Indigenous knowledge into existing and new experiences. I, too, am deeply committed to creating a sense of community for Indigenous students on campus.

Brenda Papineau
Director, Native American Affairs
Director, Community-Based Learning