Michael Doxtater

Dr. Michael Doxtater serves as Associate Professor in the Documentary Media MFA program at Toronto Metropolitan University, bringing decades of high-impact experience as a communications specialist, documentary producer, and Indigenous community leader. His career uniquely bridges academic scholarship with national policy influence and frontline community engagement.

His educational foundation includes:

• PhD in Agriculture and Life Sciences from Cornell University
• M.Sc. in Agriculture and Life Sciences from Cornell University
• BA in History of Science from McMaster University

Doxtater's research synthesizes Documentary Media, Indigenous Studies, and Organizational Learning through an Action Research lens. His work centers on multiliteracies and digital learning environments within Indigenous contexts, emphasizing how media production can drive social change—exemplified by his pivotal role in using documentary film to expose residential school atrocities. As a Six Nations Mohawk descendant of Joseph Brant from the turtle-clan family of Satekariwate, his scholarship is deeply rooted in lived Indigenous experience and community accountability.

His most significant professional recognition is the Gemini Award for co-producing 'Where the Spirit Lives,' which catalyzed national consciousness leading to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

• Gemini Award for 'Where the Spirit Lives'

Doxtater maintains active roles across academic, governmental, and community spheres: advising graduate students at Toronto Metropolitan University while leveraging extensive experience as Head of Studio One at the National Film Board of Canada. His institutional collaborations span Cornell University, McGill University, Ontario’s Indigenous Institutes, and critical national bodies including RCAP, TRC, Health Canada, and the Prime Minister's Office. Community engagement forms the core of his practice, with decades of facilitation and mediation work at Indigenous sites like Oka and Six Nations, directly informing his research on conflict resolution and organizational learning.