Derek J. Patterson, born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario, is a PhD candidate in Public Policy at Carleton University researching resource extraction, Indigenous–Crown relations, and regional development in Northern Ontario. With an eclectic academic background spanning physics, Indigenous studies, and economics, Derek approaches policy questions through interdisciplinary thinking and practical problem-solving. Outside of work, Derek enjoys distance running, strength training, and spending time outdoors exploring Canada’s natural landscapes.

Prior to joining Mokwateh, Derek worked in the federal and academic sectors supporting research, public policy communications, and constituency engagement. As a Legislative Assistant in the House of Commons, he supported stakeholder outreach, Indigenous engagement, and policy correspondence related to economic development, employment, and education. He also brings prior experience in the public service with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, where he supported program design, apprenticeship initiatives, and client-focused information delivery.

Derek holds a PhD (in progress) in Public Policy from Carleton University, with research focused on institutional history, regional governance, and social reproduction in resource-based economies. He earned a Master of Arts in Economics, where he conducted historical income mobility research on frontier economies in Northern Ontario, and a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Learning with a focus on apprenticeships and economic participation. He also completed a Bachelor of Science in Physics, providing a foundation in quantitative reasoning and analytical methods, as well as DELF-B2 certification for French language proficiency.