CJIIC Director – Duncan McCue
Award-winning broadcaster and educator Duncan McCue is a Professor of Indigenous Journalism and (Story)telling at Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication.
A longtime CBC radio host and TV news correspondent, he’s the author of Decolonizing Journalism: A Guide to Reporting in Indigenous Communities and The Shoe Boy, a memoir of his time spent on a trapline with a Cree family in northern Quebec. Duncan is a proud Anishinaabe from the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation in southern Ontario.
CJIIC Senior Academic Advisor (Kenjgewin Teg) – Debbie Debassige
Debbie Debassige is Dean of Post Secondary Education and Training with Kenjgewin Teg, and a proud Anishnabe Kwe from M’Chigeeng First Nation. She has devoted over 35 years to education from Kindergarten to Post-Secondary.
Debbie serves on several College and University education committees as a representative of Kenjgewin Teg and the United Chiefs & Councils of Mnidoo Mnisiing. When not working or enjoying the outdoors with her three grandsons, Debbie is devoted to building her language fluency in Anishinaabemin.
CJIIC Senior Academic Advisor (FNTI) – Adam Hopkins
Adam Hopkins, who is Lunapeew and Anishinaabe, grew up in Delaware Nation – Moraviantown and spent much of his childhood in Bkejwanong, his mother’s community. He graduated from Trent University and a joint FNTI/Queen’s University program and has over a decade of experience in student support and recruitment in higher education.
Now as Senior Vice-President, Academic at FNTI, he oversees multiple academic programs and is focused on achieving accreditation for standalone Bachelor degrees and enhancing FNTI’s profile in Indigenous education.
CJIIC Program Manager – Emily Everett
Emily Everett is a Canadian settler and Carleton University alum whose research focuses on community-based initiatives as forces of positive change. Formerly a program manager at both Universities Canada and True North Aid, Emily is excited to combine her experience in the higher education sector with her work supporting remote Indigenous communities across Canada on locally-led projects.
CJIIC Graduate Student Researcher – Samantha Stevens
Samantha D. Stevens is a British/Canadian settler and PhD candidate at Carleton University’s School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies and Institute of Political Economy.
A retired Royal Canadian Navy sailor and journalist, she is committed to relational accountability through her deep connection with Nipissing First Nation. Her SSHRC-funded research investigates the white saviour trope in Canadian newspaper coverage of Restoule v. Canada (2021), a landmark case under the Robinson Huron Treaty.
CJIIC Digital Content Creator – Marissa Meilleur
Marissa Meilleur is a second-year Bachelor of Journalism & Political Science student at Carleton University. She is Tlingit of Kwanlin Dün First Nation and is part of the Kukhittan (Raven) clan. Committed to learning about journalism to amplify Indigenous voices, Marissa has worked for CBC Yukon as an editorial assistant and reporter/editor and often contributes to The Charlatan, Carleton’s newspaper.
CJIIC Logo Designer – Dawn Iehstoseranon:nha
Dawn is Akwesasronon (Akwesasne), Kanienkéha’ka (Mohawk), Wakhskaré:wake (Bear Clan), Feather Keeper/Protector and artist practicing and sharing Bird medicines. She is the founder of the Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada and artist at Pass The Feather. Dawn is also a writer, graphic and web designer passionate about elevating Indigenous voices through websites, branding and marketing.
Instructors
Advisory Circle
The CJIIC’s Advisory Circle members come from a variety of Indigenous backgrounds and life experience, but all are committed helping us build a journalism program that meets the needs of our learners and communities.
We look forward to introducing you to our Advisory Circle soon.
Learn More About the Certificate and Admissions
Take the Next Step
Start telling stories that can change the world. Applications for Fall 2025 are now open.