Mason Ducharme

Biography

Mason Ducharme is an assistant professor in the School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser University. He earned his PhD in public administration from the University of Victoria and is a citizen of Líl̓wat Nation.

Ducharme's research examines Indigenous governance, self-determination, and public administration, with a particular focus on how First Nations strengthen institutions, exercise jurisdiction, and advance self-government. His scholarship explores Indigenous leadership, organizational health, institution building, Indigenous laws and constitutions, First Nations-Crown relations, and the relationship between language revitalization and nation rebuilding.

Prior to joining SFU, Ducharme served as National Community Research Director for the Rebuiliding First Nations Governance Project, a national SSHRC-funded research partnership, and as Executive Director of the Centre for First Nations Governance. Through this work, he collaborated with First Nations communities across Canada on governance, policy, and self-government initiatives.

His research bridges theory and practice through Indigenous and community-engaged approaches that support First Nations in advancing self-determiniation beyond the Indian Act. His work has been published in academic journals, edited volumes, policy reports, and public policy commentary.

Research Interests

• Indigenous governance and nation rebuilding
• Indigenous self-determination and self-government
• Indigenous public administration
• Indigenous laws, constitutions, and jurisdiction
• Indigenous leadership, human resources, organizational health, and institution building
• First Nations-Crown fiscal relationsips
• Indigenous language revitalization and governance
• Indigenous and community-engaged research methodologies

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Ducharme, M., Oakes, N, & Soer, A. (2025). Implementing Bill C-92: Strengthening Indigenous Jurisdiction and Community Resilience in Child Welfare. Canadian Public Administration.

Ducharme, M., Amatulli, G., Williams, L., George. S., Pierre. M., & Pierre, R. (2025). Revitalizing Indigenous Languages, Fostering Self-Governance, Overcoming the Indian Act: A Case Study of Lil'wat Nation. Canadian Public Administration.

Ducharme, M., Thiessen, S., & Lindquist, E. (2024). "Chapter 6: Making Indigenous self-government happen in Canada". In Pathways to Public Administration. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing.

Reports and Research Publications

Ducharme, M. (2024). "BC First Nations Execute Tenure Survey Report 2022-2023" for First Nations Public Service Secretariat.

Ducharme, M. (2024). Turnover and the Retention of Indigenous Executives in Indigenous Organizations (Doctoral Dissertation, University of Victoria).

Ducharme, M., Nye, L., Yakura, P., Corrie, S., Macdonald, C., Ford, J. (2023). "How to Support Core Governance Needs of British Columbia First Nations: Analysis and Recommendations" for First Nations Public Service Secretariat.