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Lauren McLean dishinihkaashoon. I am Michif (Métis) through my maternal line and Scottish and English through my paternal line. I was born in Neepawa, Manitoba. My family names include Légaré, Dumas, Laviolette, Smith, Leblanc, Landry, LaFramboise, and McNabb. My ancestors are from Batoche, Duck Lake, St. Laurent, St. Vital, St. Xavier Francois, and the greater Red River Region.

During my time as an undergraduate student at UVic, I acted as the Firekeeper for the Native Students Union (NSU) for a year running events for Indigenous students and acting as a representative for the NSU on the University of Victoria Students Society (UVSS). I worked as a research assistant for UVic and Métis Nation of Greater Victoria, the latter of whom I continue to volunteer with by helping to run programming for Métis youth. Finally, I worked as a chaperone during the 2023 Indigenous Mini-University Summer Camp run by IACE.

My responsibilities with IACE are facilitate the operation of the Campus Cousins program, where upper year Indigenous students have the opportunity to act as mentors to their peers while keeping the First Peoples open later during the academic year and by running events. I work to ensure that Indigenous students have access to financial aid through the LE,NONET Bursaries. I also work with the IACE team, campus partners, and local community to arrange the yearly Indigenous Mini-University Summer Camp that takes place in July.