Claudette Commanda

Claudette Commanda is a Canadian university professor, cultural advisor, indigenous rights activist, and an Algonquin Elder who was appointed the 15th Chancellor of the University of Ottawa, becoming the first indigenous person and fifth woman to serve in the role.

Early life and education Commanda is an Anishinaabe Algonquin person from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation in Outaouais, Quebec. Her spirit name is She Who Dances with the Eagles, or Dancing Sky Eagle.

She started her studies at the University of Ottawa in 1987, later graduating from the Faculty of Arts in 1993. She then attended the Common Law Section of the University's Faculty of Law, graduating in 1997. While studying she founded a First Nations student association to help improve indigenous representation at the university. She also established an Indigenous resource centre which eventually became the Mashkawazìwogamig Indigenous Resource Centre. Commanda was chosen as the inaugural holder of the position. She was also the special advisor on reconciliation to the dean of the faculty of law. This also made her the first Indigenous person to serve on the university's board of governors.

Other work Commanda is the CEO of the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres, a non-profit national organization which protects and promotes the culture, languages, and traditional knowledge of First Nations people. She is also the CEO of the Maclean Day Schools Settlement Corporation (MDSSC), serving on its board of directors. The MDSSC runs a legacy fund through which it supports Federal Indian Day School Survivors and their families by funding projects related to language and culture, healing and wellness, commemoration, and truth telling.

She also served two terms on the board of governors for the First Nations University of Canada, and three terms on the Kitigan Zibi band council.

In September 2017 she spoke at the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples of the Senate of Canada. In February 2023 she spoke at the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee of the Canadian Parliament.

Honours Commanda was inducted into the Common Law Honour Society of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law in 2009.

Filmography Television Year Title Role Notes Ref.2016-17TakenHerselfInterview subject; 2 episodes