Louis Busch

Louis Busch is a Bear Clan member of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and a doctoral candidate in the Adult Education and Community Development program at the University of Toronto. Louis holds a Masters of Education specializing in Adult Work and Learning from the University of Calgary (2016) and is an assistant clinical professor (adjunct) in Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University. Prior to joining UTM, Louis worked for 16 years at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in various clinical, research and educational roles, including as a registered psychotherapist and behaviour analyst within the forensic mental health system and a community support specialist with the Shkaabe Makwa Centre for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Wellness. 

In 2025, Louis joined the Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre as a Special Projects Officer, where he leads initiatives to integrate Indigenous Knowledge Systems into curriculum and pedagogy, fosters reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities, and supports UTM's efforts to implement the Calls to Action from Wecheehetowin through collaborative programming, workshops, and resource development.

Louis’s research explores Indigenous conceptions of helping work, psychological resilience, and culturally relevant approaches to wellness and learning. His scholarly contributions include multiple peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, as well as keynote presentations on Indigenous perspectives of neurodevelopmental disabilities, psychological flexibility, and ethical engagement in education and healthcare. Louis is a Vanier Scholar and recipient of the 2024 Talent Award from the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council’s Impact Award Program (2024).