Board of Directors

​Chief Darlene Bernard, or Melkna’t Kitpui’sk (Mi’kmaw for ‘Strong Eagle Woman’), embodies her traditional name. She has committed herself to the Lennox Island First Nation and the Epekwitk Mi’kmaq community she loves, as Chief and as Co-chair of the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils Inc. which oversees the mandates for both the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI, and L’nuey.

She served as Lennox Island Chief from 2001 –2013, and was re-elected again in June of 2019. As a leader she is inspired by the people she serves and inspires those around her with her vision, her integrity and her passion. In addition to solidifying the many programs and services that currently exist within the community, as Chief (both in her previous term, and currently) she was responsible for the negotiation and signing of several imperative Agreements following the Marshall decision, which were instrumental in paving the path forward for the Mi’kmaq of PEI –the Consultation Agreement, the Partnership Agreement and the Framework Agreement, to name a few.

In 2002 she led the work to establish the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI with the Abegweit First Nation Leadership, as a common forum to begin to reconcile and implement the outstanding Aboriginal and treaty rights of the PEI Mi’kmaq. And in 2019, this great work led to the implementation of L’nuey –a distinct and separate Mi’kmaq Rights organization with respect to Consultation, Negotiations, and Governance.

She has returned as Chief with a clear focus on achieving overall health, stability and success for her First Nation community and self-determination for the Epekwitk Mi’kmaq Nation, with a focus on Mi’kmaq language revitalization and education, and economic development. She has been appointed as a Member of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board, and she was a recent recipient of the Diamond Jubilee Medal, in commemoration of the sixtieth anniversary of Her Majesty’s Accession to the Throne and in recognition of her contributions to Canada. She was also invested as a Member of the Order of Prince Edward Island for outstanding citizenship and excellence in 2008. And most recently accepted a role as Ex-Officio on the Premier’s Council for Recovery and Growth in PEI.

Her drive, compassion, and vision for a thriving future for the Lennox Island First Nation and Epekwitk is at the heart of everything she does, everything she advocates for, and everything that she believes in.

Eskasoni, Nova Scotia’s Chief Leroy Denny studied Sports and Recreation at Cape Breton University where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies in 1999. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Education at St.Francis Xavier University in 2002.

From a young age Leroy was committed to living a drug-and alcohol-free lifestyle. Prior to politics, Leroy taught Physical Education for years and promoted healthy active lifestyle in the classroom while incorporating Mi’kmaq language and culture through song and dance.

Chief Leroy Denny prides himself on building a healthier community and has always been community oriented and tries to incorporate healthy living in as many ways possible in his community, including the opening of Eskasoni Fitness Centre in 2013. Through Eskasoni Sports and Recreation Chief Dennyhelped establish a football team for children between the ages of eight-to-18, and the Eskasoni Eagles hockey team of the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League.

As busy as Leroy’s schedule is, he makes time to go to Eskasoni’s schools and teaches children traditional song and dance. He also gives the students the opportunity to participate with him in traditional sweat lodge ceremonies in the community. Living and promoting a healthy lifestyle has many components and Chief Leroy tries his best to incorporate all of these components in his own life and for his community by providing the opportunity for all ages to experience healthy living.

Chief Andrea Paul, is the Chief of Pictou Landing First Nation, located just minutes from New Glasgow, NS, in Pictou County, where she has served as Chief for her community since 2011. She graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education. She has taught at the school located in her community, before leaving to continue in her role as her community’s Chief.

Chief Paul sits on various committees, serves as the lead Chief on the Health portfolio, and until recently was a Commissioner for Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. She also serves as a Board member for various Mi’kmaq organizations as a representative for her community.

Over the years, Chief Paul has served her community in various roles working as a staff member for the Pictou Landing First Nation Education Department, and as a volunteer in her community. Chief Paul resides in her community with her husband.

Terry Paul is the Chief of Membertou, a position he has held for the past 36 years. During that time, Paul has guided his community and administration into one of the most efficient and economically flourishing Indigenous communities in the country.

Chief Paul started his career with the Boston Indian Council where he received his background training in finance and management. Returning home to Membertou, Chief Paul joined the Membertou Band Council in the role of Economic Development Officer and progressed to the position of Band Manager before he was elected as Chief in 1984.

Chief Paul has achieved many notable accomplishments in his current role, as Chief and CEO of Membertou, including being named to one of Canada’s highest honours. In 2017, Chief Paul was appointed to the Order of Canada. He is also an inductee of the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame, and recipient of the Frank McKenna Leadership Award. Chief Paul holds an honourary doctorate from Cape Breton University, and in 2019 led his organization to being named as a Canada’s Best Managed Company. In January 2020, Chief Paul received the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Lifetime Achievement Award.

Chief Paul is credited with tripling the land base for the Membertou Reserve and increasing the employment rate within Membertou to 80% in the community. In November 2020, Chief Paul led the single largest investment made by an Indigenous group in Canada, with the acquisition of Clearwater Seafoods.

The Membertou motto of “Welcoming the World” is undoubtedly the most accurate representation of the open and progressive Indigenous community that Membertou has become under the leadership of Chief Terry Paul.

Biography coming soon.

Regional Chief Paul Prosper was elected as Assembly of First Nations’ Regional Chief for Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in September 2020. A Mi'kmaw Lawyer and the former Chief of Paqtnkek, Regional Chief Prosper has extensive experience in Aboriginal legal issues from a research, governance, and negotiation perspective.

Regional Chief Prosper has 20 years of work experience involving such areas as project management, historical/environmental and First Nations Oral history research, First Nation land use and occupation studies, First Nation agreements, corporate and First Nation governance, citizenship, Nationhood, justice, community development, legal research, negotiations and consultation. Regional Chief Prosper has served on several boards and committees and has conducted numerous presentations in academic, government and First Nation institutional settings on a variety of topics.

He has collaborated with many Aboriginal organizations, government departments and third party interest groups on numerous projects. Regional Chief Prosper views his personal skill sets in the development of constructive relationships that "bridge the gap" between Aboriginal, corporate and government objectives.