Heather Watts (Mohawk, Six Nations of the Grand River Territory) is an educator, story teller and policy strategist whose work bridges Indigenous knowledge systems, education, and institutional transformation. She is Principal & Partner at First Peoples Group, where she leads national initiatives in reconciliation action planning, cultural competency training, and Indigenous engagement.
Heather holds a Bachelor of Science in Inclusive Education from Syracuse University, a Master of Education in Literacy Coaching from Columbia University, and a second Master of Education in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in Social Justice Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, supported by a Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship.
With over 15 years of experience in classrooms, boardrooms, and community spaces, Heather began her career as an elementary teacher in New York and later served as Education Manager in her home community of Six Nations. Her work today spans public policy, community-based research, and learning grounded in Indigenous worldviews.
She is a published author on reconciliation, Indigenous identity, and anti-Indigenous racism; an Action Canada Fellow with the Public Policy Forum; a member of the Indigenous Leadership Circle; and serves on the Accreditation Panel for the Ontario College of Teachers. She also sits on the Board of Directors for EcoSchools Canada, supporting youth-driven climate action and sustainability education. At the heart of her work is a deep commitment to storytelling, relationship-building, and creating space for Indigenous voices to lead systemic change.