Bernadine (Pemaenemaewiakiw) Waubanascum Vigue was born and raised in Neopit, Wisconsin, on the Menominee Indian Reservation. She was an Oneida Nation citizen, a Menominee Nation descendant, and a lifelong advocate for Native American youth, families, and communities.

Bernadine began her education journey attending Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin, later earning advanced degrees in Communications from St. Norbert College and Education and Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Working her entire career in higher education, Bernadine was a strong activist for Native rights and a counselor, academic advisor, and instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and Northwestern Wisconsin Technical College.

She dedicated over forty years to helping inspire college students to better themselves and their communities. As a first-generation college student who overcame many obstacles to reach her higher education goals, Bernadine ensured that other Native students maintained their cultural connections away from home and received the support, tools, and resources to achieve academic success.