Bryan Assinewe is an educator, and a proud member and resident of Sagamok Anishnawbek. Following an initial career in the forestry and mining industries, he established a successful heavy equipment service business. After earning his Bachelor of Arts from Laurentian University and a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University, Bryan started a teaching adventure that spanned twenty years and took him to various Northern Ontario First Nation communities. He was especially happy to return home to Sagamok, where he taught Grade Eight and Anishinaabemowin at Biidaaban School.
Bryan was known for his creative and humorous teaching style, often taking his students outside to explore the land and its gifts. As a young person, he learned from his family and elders about the land and its gifts—knowledge he now loves passing on to the next generation and weaving into everything he teaches.
Always eager to support his community, Bryan is involved in the Niisoonag Project, which helps respond to the legacy of residential schools, especially focusing on Spanish Residential School and working alongside with the Student Survivors of Sagamok Anishnawbek, Serpent River, and Mississauga First Nation.
When he’s not working on projects, Bryan enjoys travelling with his wife, spending time with his grandchildren, and tending to his ever-expanding garden. He brings warmth, curiosity, and a strong sense of humour to everything he does.