Professor Carrie Bourassa resigned from the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Wednesday over questions about her claims she's indigenous..Bourassa claimed to be Metis, Anishinaabe, and Tlingit, but her ancestry came into question by a CBC investigation in the fall of 2021..USask reviewed the information from the CBC and media interviews given by Bourassa about her indigenous ancestry..“The University of Saskatchewan has carefully reviewed the information in interviews and responses from Dr. Carrie Bourassa to recent articles challenging her indigenous identity,” said the USask press release..“The university has serious concerns with the additional information revealed in Dr. Bourassa’s responses to the media and with the harm that this information may be causing indigenous individuals and communities. An investigation will be proceeding into the statements and information shared by Dr. Bourassa.”.Bourassa's on forced vacation while investigating her ancestry..“USask has placed Dr. Bourassa on leave and she is relieved of all her duties as professor in the USask College of Medicine in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology. Dr Bourassa will not return to any faculty duties during this investigation,” said the USask media release..Bourassa received millions of dollars of research grants for indigenous health and was considered a leader in the field..The Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health removed Bourassa from her position as scientific director which is part of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research..The College of Medicine USask Dean Preston Smith released a statement Wednesday about Bourassa’s resignation and shifts the university’s focus to prevent the same situation from happening again..“Given Dr. Bourassa is no longer with the university, an investigation being conducted by Jean Teillet will now focus on recommendations for improvements to relevant USask policies and processes,” said Smith..“Teillet’s recommendations will be provided to USask in the near future, and these recommendations will be shared publicly.”.Bourassa wrote numerous books and scholarly articles on indigenous health and was a professor of community health and epidemiology.
