Lauren Petersen is a Two-Spirit Métis woman with maternal roots run deep in the Red River, descending from the Gagne, Ducharme, Gladue, Laframboise, Richot, Blondeau, Hughs, Bedard, Berriault, Trottier, and Ross families. Her grandmother Rose Gagne was raised in the historic Métis community of Ste. Rita, MB (formerly Craig Siding). Her ancestors lived in St. Anne de Chenes, Fort Carlton, St. Boniface, St. Vital, Cross Lake, Fort Augustus, St Norbert and St. Francis Xavier prior to taking scrip. Lauren was raised in Langley, BC and currently lives in Winnipeg, MB.

She holds a Bachelors of Arts in History, a Graduate Diploma in Cultural Resource Management, and a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Victoria. She also has a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Cambridge University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Indigenous Studies at the University of Manitoba, focusing on Metis Education policy.

Lauren is passionate about cultural revitalization, storytelling, equity in education, anti-racism, Michif language revitalization, generational leadership and animal welfare. She proudly serves her nation as Senior Policy Advisor, Culture Heritage and Language at the Metis National Council.