Candace Brunette-Debassige

My name is Candace Brunette-Debassige. I am a Mushkego-ininew iskwew member of the Mushkegowuk Cree Nation in Treaty 9 Territory. I have mixed Cree and French settler lineage and I am registered with Albany First Nation. Also known as Peetabeck (Water in the Bay), Fort Albany is located on the northwestern side of Winibego (James Bay) in northern Ontario, but I was born and raised in the small town of Cochrane, Ontario. Growing up off-reserve, my family and I found refuge in the Friendship Centre movement in the 80s, which became a formative part of nurturing my sense of community and political life.

Today, I live and work in N’Swakamok (Sudbury) in the Robinson Huron Treaty Territory of 1850 where I work as an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Master’s Indigenous Relations program in the School of Indigenous Relations at Laurentian University and serve as the Co-Director for the Maamwizing Indigenous Research Institute (MIRI). As a first generation Indigenous scholar, I am committed to advancing decolonial change in mainstream education, and my deepest fulfillment comes from mentoring the next generation of brilliant Indigenous scholars.

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Outside of academe, I am a working mother of two energetic boys who carries many roles and responsibilities. I find my sense of balance through engaging with my culture, the arts, and keeping up on my own embodied healing practices such as yoga, which I have been practicing (and teaching when I can) for over 20 years.

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Me and my nokum 1982

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My sons in front my sister Holly’s mural in London Ontario 2022

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The Albany River

In the news...

Mar 6, 2026

New podcast interview! Indigenous and Decolonial Approaches to Curriculum: Learnings from Dr. Candace Brunette-Debassige/Echoes from the Margins: Voices Reshaping Higher Education.

Jun 3, 2025

Dr. Candace Brunette-Debassige earns prestigious Canada prize: Laurentian Professor amplifies Indigenous women’s voices in postsecondary education leadership in debut book.

Feb 17, 2024

Indigenous learning bundles lead Western to ‘triple crown’ of higher ed awards: Faculty, staff and students recognized for excellence in teaching, learning and innovative programming.

Oct 19, 2022

N’Satung documentary sheds light on Indigenous perspectives on education: Unique collaboration includes arts and humanities faculty, students and alumni.

Contact

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