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.

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.

Me and my nokum 1982

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

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.

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