2020
Chief Terrance Paul
For nearly 37 years, Chief Terrance Paul has been a driving force behind Membertou First Nation’s success. He has doubled the land base and increased the employment rate to nearly 80 percent. Membertou is one of the wealthiest Indigenous communities in the country.
His career began with the Boston Indian Council where he held positions including job placement officer, director of finance, and president. Returning home to Membertou, Chief Paul worked for the Mic Mac News in sales and advertising. He then joined the Membertou Band Council as economic development officer and progressed to band manager before he was elected chief in 1984.
His strong focus on education has led to graduation rates growing from 30 to 90 percent in Membertou. Chief Paul was recently part of the landmark $600-million education agreement for Nova Scotia’s Mi’kmaq youth with the government of Canada.
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. He holds an honourary doctorate from Cape Breton University.
Chief Paul is the co-chair of the Nova Scotia Assembly of Mi’kmaq Chiefs, and holds significant portfolios, including fisheries and mining.
