- Born
- July 20, 1971 — Wabush, Labrador
- Family
- Domestic partner, Serge Ashini Goupil; mother of five
- Career
- President of Femmes autochtones du Québec (1998-2004, 2010-2012); President of Native Women's Association of Canada (2012-2014); Associate Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Relations with Citizens and Immigration of the Quebec government (2004-2008); Commissioner of the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (appointed 2017); researcher for Aboriginal Nations news magazine; consultant with Nation Innue.
- Political Experience
- Ran as the Liberal candidate for the riding of Terrebonne in the 2015 Canadian federal election. Appointed to the Senate for Quebec in July 2021. Appointed Government Liaison in the Senate in August 2023.
- Notable
- From the Innu community of Uashat mak Mani-Utenam. Her mother, Evelyne St-Onge, co-founded the Quebec Native Women Association. Acted in a Heritage Minutes vignette. Recipient of multiple awards including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) and Woman of the Year by the Montreal Council of Women (2014).
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before her appointment to the Senate, Michèle Audette had a long career focused on Indigenous rights and women's issues. She served as president of the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) and of Femmes autochtones du Québec (Quebec Native Women). She also worked in the Quebec government as an Associate Deputy Minister responsible for the Secretariat for the Status of Women. Most notably, just prior to joining the Senate, she was one of five commissioners for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). Her career has been centered on public service and advocacy rather than private business ventures. Information regarding specific personal investments or business holdings is not widely public.
Key Relationships & Connections
Michèle Audette was appointed to the Senate in 2021 on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. She previously ran as a candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada in the 2015 federal election. As a commissioner for the MMIWG inquiry, she worked closely with the other commissioners, including Chief Commissioner Marion Buller. Her extensive work in advocacy connects her to the leadership and members of the Native Women's Association of Canada and Femmes autochtones du Québec, organizations she formerly led. These roles placed her in direct contact with Indigenous leaders and government officials across the country for many years.
Public Controversies
As a commissioner for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Michèle Audette was part of a process that faced public criticism. Some families and advocates reportedly expressed frustration with the inquiry's pace, communication, and staff turnover. Audette, along with the other commissioners, was involved in publicly addressing these concerns and defending the inquiry's work and final report.