Grant Bruno

Summary:

Grant is Nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) and a registered member of the Samson Cree Nation, one of the reserves that make up Maskwacîs, AB. Grant's research explores autism in First Nations communities through a Nêhiyaw lens and seeks to develop culturally informed services & support with an emphasis on the importance of involving the whole community-parents, Elders, teachers, and the children themselves-in shaping programs that reflect their cultural values/needs. This ensures that the community directly influences initiatives, fostering cultural pride and stronger connections to their heritage. By creating spaces for learning traditional skills, language, cultural knowledge, this model helps set up First Nations children for success and strengthens their sense of identity & belonging. Grant is also the lead for the WCHRI Ispimihk Awâsisak Program, a initiative designed to enhance the health & well-being of Indigenous children and their families and the founder of the Indigenous Caregiving Collective, an initiative supported by the Canadian Caregiving Center for Excellence.