Carrie Bourassa
Carrie Bourassa is a Canadian academic in community health and epidemiology who worked at the University of Saskatchewan and served as scientific director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health.
Carrie Bourassa is a Canadian academic in community health and epidemiology who worked at the University of Saskatchewan and served as scientific director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health. Her career became the subject of public controversy in 2021 after a CBC investigation found no evidence supporting her claimed Indigenous ancestry. She later resigned from the University of Saskatchewan in 2022.
Early life and education
Sources describe Bourassa as being born and raised in Regina and studying at the University of Regina, where she earned undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees. Public profiles also describe her as the first person in her family to attend university.
Academic career
Bourassa worked in community health and epidemiology at the University of Saskatchewan and had previously taught at First Nations University of Canada. She also led research initiatives focused on Indigenous health and cultural safety.
Public controversy
In 2021, CBC reported that it could find no evidence supporting Bourassa’s claims of Métis, Anishinaabe, and Tlingit ancestry and concluded that her relatives were of European ancestry. The report led to suspension, investigation, and later resignation from her university post.
Research and roles in Indigenous health
Before the controversy, Bourassa was publicly presented as a prominent researcher in Indigenous health and as scientific director of CIHR’s Indigenous peoples’ health institute. Her work was described as focusing on health inequities, culturally safe care, and community-based methods.
Key facts
- Carrie Bourassa was a professor in community health and epidemiology at the University of Saskatchewan.
- She directed Morning Star Lodge, an Indigenous community-based health research lab at the university.
- She served as scientific director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health.
- A CBC investigation in 2021 reported no evidence that she had Indigenous ancestry, despite her claims of Métis, Anishinaabe, and Tlingit heritage.
- After the CBC report, she was suspended and later resigned from the University of Saskatchewan in 2022.
Bourassa’s case drew national attention in Canada because it involved Indigenous identity claims, university governance, and the leadership of federally funded Indigenous health research.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Carrie Bourassa?
What was Carrie Bourassa’s job at the University of Saskatchewan?
What was the controversy involving Carrie Bourassa?
Did Carrie Bourassa resign?
What was her role at CIHR?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_BourassaSupports: University position, controversy summary, suspension, resignation, and role at CIHR.
- CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/newsinteractives/features/carrie-bourassa-indigenousSupports: Claims of Indigenous ancestry, role at University of Saskatchewan and CIHR, and CBC investigation findings.
- CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/carrie-bourassa-resigns-1.6473964Supports: Resignation from the University of Saskatchewan, suspension, and earlier CBC investigation.
- Forum for Research and Innovation in Indigenous Health / Age-Well NCE — https://forum.agewell-nce.ca/index.php/PL:Carrie.BourassaSupports: Education, career background, and research interests.
- MyConference Suite — https://events.myconferencesuite.com/Palliative_Care_Culture_and_the_Clinic_Symposium/virtual/bio/377Supports: Role as scientific director of CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health and professor at University of Saskatchewan.