The Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement is dedicated to uplifting Indigenous students on campus through a range of academic and cultural initiatives. Our team works to foster greater awareness and understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems, cultures, and worldviews by offering workshops, training sessions, individual consultations, and accessible resources.
It is said that the longest journey is from the head to the heart, and our goal is to serve as Helpers along the way.
Photography by Fangliang Xu
Benny Michaud (ON LEAVE)She/He/They Director, Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement |
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Benny Michaud is a proud ayahwkew (two-spirit), eagle clan, Michif person. Originally from the Métis community of St. Boniface in Manitoba, she is an alumnus of Carleton and was thrilled to join the Centre for Indigenous Initiatives in 2016. Throughout her career, she has worked to support the needs of Indigenous youth in both the mental health and education sectors. In her current role as Director of the Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement, she works with her team to ensure that Indigenous students have the academic, cultural, and spiritual support necessary to maintain their health and well-being. She also works with the broader Carleton community to create opportunities for learning and dialogue, and to achieve the 41 calls to action released in the Carleton University Strategic Indigenous Initiatives final report. |
Theresa HendricksShe/Her Acting Assistant Director, Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement |
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Theresa Hendricks is a Métis woman with familial and ancestral ties to the Red River region in Manitoba. She is the Acting Assistant Director at the Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement, where she first joined in 2020 as the Indigenous Special Projects and Administrative Coordinator. In her current role, Theresa supports and supervises the team that provides guidance and assistance to Indigenous students, faculty, and staff. Guided by her Métis heritage, she is passionate about celebrating and sharing Indigenous traditions and culture, and is dedicated to fostering community relationships grounded in respect, connection, and care. |
Vanessa CyrShe/Her Indigenous Academic Cultural Programs Officer |
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Vanessa Cyr is originally from Nipissing First Nation and is the Indigenous Academic Cultural Programs Coordinator for the Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement. In addition to facilitating and organizing cultural and academic programming for students, Vanessa provides additional support by sharing Indigenous teachings and knowledge. She takes great pride in passing on Indigenous artistic traditions to enhance students’ emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental well-being. Vanessa is here to help connect Indigenous students with the many resources and supports available on campus and within the broader Ottawa community. |
Franco BuscemiHe/Him Inuit Community Liaison Officer |
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Franco Buscemi is Inuk from Iqaluit, Nunavut, and is living in Ottawa. As Inuit Community Liaison Officer at the Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement, he works to enhance partnerships with Inuit-led organizations and communities to support Inuit student enrolment and retention at Carleton University. |
Staci LoiselleShe/Her Indigenous Cultural Counsellor |
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Staci is Mohawk from Kahnawà:ke, Quebec. She joined the Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement team as the first Indigenous Cultural Counsellor in Fall 2019. As a registered psychotherapist, she provides individual counselling and support to Indigenous students, as well as contributes to student programming and community events. Her main goal is to foster a sense of belonging among students and support their personal growth. Staci believes that being successful in university starts with a balanced physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self. You can connect with Staci during her programming days in the Ojigkwanong Centre, or you can call the Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement to set up an individual meeting. |
Rylee GodinShe/Her IESP Specialist and Counsellor |
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Rylee is Métis, originally from Fort Frances, Ontario. Rylee joined the Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement team in July 2020 in the role of Indigenous Cultural Counsellor. As a Registered Psychotherapist, she holds a passionate interest in supporting improved mental well-being and assisting those experiencing challenging times in meeting their individual goals and building healthy futures. Rylee uses an approach to psychotherapy that blends contemporary theories and approaches with Indigenous ways of knowing. In her role, Rylee supports Indigenous student well-being by providing individual counselling, as well as supporting student programming initiatives. To connect with Rylee or to schedule an appointment, please send her an email at Rylee.Godin@carleton.ca. |
Stephanie WestShe/Her IESP Student Support and Social Work Practicum Student |
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Stephanie West is an Ojibwe and Métis woman originally from Black River First Nation in Manitoba and Red Lake, Ontario. She was raised in St. Catharines, Niagara, and moved to Ottawa in 2022 for university. Stephanie is a fourth-year Bachelor of Social Work student with a minor in Indigenous Studies. She is currently completing her student practicum with the Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement, often in Ojigkwanong, facilitating Wellness Drop-in, and is now working as an IESP Student Support. She is here to support students in any way she can! |
Liam McGunnigleHe/Him IESP Coach |
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Liam McGunnigle is a settler and the Academic Coach at the Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement. Within his role as Academic Coach, Liam supports students in developing various academic skills, including writing, reading, research, and time management. He is committed to fostering a resourceful learning environment which helps students feel more confident in their academics. Liam is currently pursuing a PhD in Linguistics, Language Documentation and Revitalization at Carleton and hopes to create a welcoming environment for students within the university.
To schedule a meeting for academic coaching with Liam, please use Microsoft Bookings: Book time with Liam McGunnigle. |
Jessie TrudeauShe/Her IESP Academic and Wellness Workshop Facilitator |
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Jessie Trudeau (she/her) is First Nations with familial and ancestral ties to Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. Since 2025, she has served as the Indigenous Enriched Support Program Academic and Wellness Workshop Facilitator, supporting students with their transition to post-secondary education. With a background in human services, Jessie brings a holistic, student-centred approach to her role. She is a Carleton University alumna with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is committed to creating learning environments that honour Indigenous knowledge systems and diverse student experiences. |
Kendra Barberstock (ON LEAVE)She/Her Indigenous Academic Advisor |
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Kendra Barberstock is Mi’kmaw, Bobcat Clan, and a proud member of Sipekne’katik First Nation. She joined the Centre for Indigenous Initiatives in 2021 as the Indigenous Student Academic Advisor. Kendra’s career has focused on Indigenous youth and adult engagement across Canada. She has a passion for her culture, the land, and creating art. Kendra also enjoys helping people reach their goals in a way that is unique to them and believes in the strength of an individual’s gifts. Kendra is here to help students choose and navigate various academic programs, assist the Indigenous Enriched Support Program, and support all Indigenous students on their academic journey. |
Lane BourbonnièreShe/Her Indigenous Curricula Learning Specialist |
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Lane Bourbonnière is a Métis woman who joined the Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement team in May 2021. Lane has a Bachelor of Arts in Human Rights and Social Justice with a minor in Indigenous Studies & History from Carleton University and a Master of Arts in Political Studies with a concentration in Gender and Politics from Queen’s University. Lane’s Master’s thesis analyzes the gaps in Ontario justice systems (the OPP, the Ontario political parties, and the Ontario courts) for Métis women. She has also worked with the Métis community through her past employment at the Métis Nation of Ontario. Advocating for and supporting brave spaces for students, staff, and faculty is what led Lane to the Centre, and she is happy to be back at CU. |
Dr. Barbara Dumont-HillShe/Her Elder |
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Barbara Dumont-Hill is Algonquin Anishinabeg from the Kitigan Zibi community in Quebec. She has served as a Knowledge Keeper at Carleton University since 2018. Barbara was a grandmother in the 2015 Walking With Our Sisters installation at the Carleton University Art Gallery. More recently, she travelled across Canada as an advisor with the Canadian Department of Justice to witness the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Inquiry. Barbara’s work has inspired her path to honour and empower Indigenous youth. In June 2023, Barbara received an Honorary Doctorate in Law from Carleton University to recognize her outstanding contributions as an advisor and community volunteer working to improve the lives of Indigenous peoples. |