Collette Pederson is an enrolled member of the Gichi-Onigaming / Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. She has lived in Grand Portage for 7 years, and previously grew up in Grand Marais, MN. She worked as a PERA for the School District in Grand Portage and Grand Marais for over 20 years, primarily working with Native students. Collette has four sons and two granddaughters.

Since 2019, she has been involved in the Indigenous Cultural Understandings of Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias – Research and Engagement (ICARE) project, as a community-based researcher for Grand Portage. Collette is a strong advocate for raising awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias in her community.

She enjoys going on walks with her dog, boating, kayaking, fishing, traveling, and spending time with her family. Collette loves the outdoors and attributes it to the free spirit she was allowed to have as a child growing up