Lillian Dyck
Lillian Dyck was the first Chinese Canadian senator, the first indigenous woman in Canada to obtain a PhD, and the first indigenous female senator (1). Lillian attended the University of Saskatchewan where she obtained a masters degree in biochemistry, and a PhD in Biological Psychiatry. Lillian eventually became a professor there, where she studied Alzheimers, schizophrenia, and Parkinsons. In later life, she was appointed to the senate where she took a stance to improve indigenous education by being a part of writing the Reforming First Nations Education: From Crisis to Hope report in 2011.
References:
Boyko J. 2022 Jul 20. Lillian Dyck. The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lillian-dyck.