The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) is pleased to announce that Hailee-Rose Hill has been elected as the Thames Valley District School Board Indigenous Student Trustee for the 2025-2026 school year.

Hill, a grade 11 student at Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School, London, ON, was elected after three rounds of voting during the Indigenous Trustee Debate and Election on the evening of February 19, 2025.  Six candidates for local secondary schools vied for the position.

“I’m a proud Oneidan student with a strong passion for leadership, advocacy and making a difference in our schools and community,” said Hill. “(My) experiences have shaped me into a strong compassionate leader who is dedicated to advocating, mentoring and creating spaces where Indigenous voices feel heard and supported.”

Gina McGahey, Indigenous Trustee for the Thames Valley District School Board of Trustees, kicked off Wednesday’s elections.

“Student trustees have a crucial role to play in shaping public education.  They bring innovative ideas to the boardroom, represent their fellow students, and take part in important decisions about education,” she said.

Hill is the ninth Indigenous Student Trustee since the TVDSB introduced the role in 2017-2018. The TVDSB was among the first school boards in Canada to establish this position to be inclusive of Indigenous voices and perspectives.

“I’d like to sincerely thank all of the candidates who put themselves forward to serve. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to congratulate Indigenous Student Trustee-Elect Hill,” said Board Chair Beth Mai. “We look forward to her work to bring student voice to the important work that we do.”

The TVDSB, together with its Board of Trustees, congratulates all the candidates who put their name forward to be part of the election.

• Andrayah Riley Antone – H.B. Beal Secondary School, London
• Kai Daye – Clarke Road Secondary School, London
• Hailee-Rose Hill – Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School, London - elected
• Avery Ionson – Woodstock Collegiate Institute, Woodstock
• Sebastien Rauwerda – Oakridge Secondary School, London
• Scarlette Waddilove – Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School, London