Don MacKenzie

Don MacKenzie was born and raised in Charlottetown. He graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in biology, and obtained his law degree from Dalhousie University.He practiced law at the Charlottetown firm of Foster Hennessey MacKenzie for 15 years. During that time he worked on many files related to the Mi’kmaq community, including matters on behalf of both the Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations.

He joined the Confederacy in 2006 as its Legal/Band Government Advisor and also assumed the role of Director of Intergovernmental Affairs the following year. He was appointed to the Executive Director position by the MCPEI Board of Directors in January of 2014.

In addition to taking over the responsibility for the general oversight of the organization, Don continues to undertake the roles of legal advisor and lead negotiator on Aboriginal and treaty rights matters.

Tabatha Bernard

Born and raised in Lennox Island PEI, Tabatha has experienced the change in First Nations’ communities that has brought opportunity as well as responsibility for program administration and management.

Tabatha brings to the MCPEI an understanding of First Nations’ programs. She has over seven years experience in administration of First Nations’ employment and training programs for Lennox Island. Prior to joining the MCPEI, Tabatha worked as the Employment Director for the Lennox Island Band. While working for the Band, Tabatha was elected to the Lennox Island Band Council in 2001.

Tabatha is a proud mother of four, grandmother of two beautiful grandchildren, and a dedicated professional. She has embraced the opportunity to work for all PEI Mi’kmaq as a Human Resource Advisor and Executive Assistant.

Marilyn LeFrank

Marilyn was born in Summerside and graduated from Three Oaks Senior High. She completed a Bachelor of Arts at UPEI and a Bachelor of Social Work from Memorial University. She moved to Vancouver Island after graduating from University and lived there for three and a half years. She began her career as a child protection worker while on Vancouver Island and continued working in that field after moving back to Summerside in 1989. She worked at Child and Family Services in Summerside as a child protection worker and a resource development social worker until 2007. She then took a secondment to the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI in 2007 to develop a family support and prevention program for PEI’s First Nations and is now the Director of the Child and Family Services Program with MCPEI. Marilyn sits on various committees within the province including the PEI Child Sexual Abuse Advisory Committee and the Parent Education and Support Committee which is a part of the Premier’s Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention and the Children’s Secretariat. She was a co-investigator with Dalhousie University on a Speech and Language Project titled “Improving the vocabulary and narrative skills of school age Mi’kmaq children in PEI”. Marilyn is a registered social worker and a member of the Social Work Association of PEI.

Kandace McEntee

To be completed

Allan Gillis

Allan Gillis joined the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island in 2009 as the organization’s Director of Education.  Allan is a graduate of the University of Prince Edward Island and completed a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Teaching at Fordham University, New York City. He resides in Summerside with his wife and three children.

Allan has considerable experience in the field of education. He taught for six years in New York City and upon his return to PEI, was employed as the Director of Education with the Lennox Island First Nation for fourteen years where he administered all areas of education within the First Nation.

As the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island Director of Education, Allan works closely with the Abegweit and Lennox Island First Nation to address identified needs or in a capacity of providing advice and/or advocacy.  As well, the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island Education Program is mandated to develop partnerships with the PEI Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the PEI Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, as well as other educational stakeholders to ensure Mi’kmaq learners receive a quality education and support services where needed.  Allan oversees this mandate on behalf of the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island.

Allan has been a champion for Aboriginal education within Prince Edward Island and may be contacted at the Summerside Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island office.

Sherri Barrett

Sherri has degrees in Psychology, Human Resources and Human Services, training in Reality Therapy, and has many years of group and family facilitation. Sherri is a certified trainer in Life Skills Training, a facilitator for Developing Capable People with experience in cross cultural training. and a Level II TRE facilitator

Sherri has spent much of her professional and personal life assisting individuals overcome barriers and to realize their full potential.

Her strong belief in life-long learning has been developed through over 25 years in the field of human services/social development. She has worked with many individuals from varied backgrounds and life experiences including individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Since 2005 Sherri joined the Mi’kmaq Confederacy and is now the Director of Employment Services.

Using a holistic and motivational approach Sherri promotes building self esteem, inspiration, encouragement and the celebration of accomplishment.

Irene Gallant

Irene Gallant is the Director of Finance for the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI.  She joined the Mi’kmaq Confederacy team in August, 2002. Irene has twenty years experience in the Accounting and Office Management field and is a member of the Aboriginal Finance Officers Association of Atlantic Canada. Irene has two teenage boys and resides in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

Lori St. Onge

Lori St. Onge is Director of Indigenous Justice for the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI. Lori graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island with a MBA, BA, Diploma in Public Administration and a Certificate in Human Resource Management and in Circle Keeping.

Prior to being the Director of Indigenous Justice, Lori was the Executive Director and Case Manager for Child Find PEI for over 5 years.  She played an instrumental role in implementing the PEI Missing AMBER Alert Program and won an international award for her dedication and commitment to missing and exploited children.

Lori is a strong believer in restorative justice. She is an advocate for positive approaches to behavior where the goal is to repair harm rather than assign blame.  Her boundless energy, wealth of experience in casework, and her ability to forge partnerships, enable her to do the work that she does.  She is a proud Mi’kmaq woman and a member of the Lennox Island First Nation Band.

Lori sits on numerous committees and boards including PEI Crime Stoppers, Partners for Safer Communities, Atlantic Community Safety Association, Victim Service Advisory Committee, and the Justice Policy and Planning Forum.  In 2012, she was appointed by the Department of Education as a trustee on the English Language School Board.

Randy Angus

Randy has over 35 years experience in the Maritimes fishery and aquaculture industry. He has extensive experience in working with both the public and private sectors in resource management, and has a diverse background that covers a variety of species and organizations. He has worked in the administration of research and hatchery facilities, and has over 6 years of experience in Community development, and sustainable development projects.

He has experience in planning, negotiating, and financing multi-partner projects. He also has experience in regional development projects, and negotiations with all levels of government.

A firm believer in life long learning, Randy looks forward to new opportunities and activities. He looks forward to working for the MCPEI and contributing to their team in the protection, enhancement and strengthening of the Mi’kmaq Nation in Prince Edward Island.

Roseanne Sark

Roseanne Sark is a member of the Lennox Island First Nation and has been employed with Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI since October 2004; positioned as the Director of Health.  Roseanne has a degree in Sociology/Anthropology with a minor in History from Carleton University. She is Certified in Reality Therapy; Certified in Conflict Resolution from the Centre for Conflict Resolution Studies at UPEI and has recently received Reiki Level I.

Roseanne is part of numerous committees and where she contributes to the well being of First Nations here in PEI. She now serves as the Co-Chair for the Health Policy Planning Forum (HPPF) a Provincial Tripartite Health Forum established under the Mi’kmaq /Federal/Provincial Partnership Accord. Chair of the Regional Housing and Infrastructure Network; and Chairs the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI Health Advisory Committee.

Her motto is “Live life today, why wait until tomorrow”.

Jesse Francis

From 2001-2005, on secondment from Parks Canada, Jesse Francis assisted in the development of the Lennox Island Aboriginal Ecotourism programme. As Ecotourism Manager, he was involved in various aspects of the program including; planning, development, implementation and management. From 1997-2002, he worked for Parks Canada as an interpreter.

Jesse is the Manager, Strategic Initiatives, Mi’kmaq Confederacy-Parks Canada. Jesse resides in Wellington with his wife and their three children.

Tammy MacDonald

Tammy MacDonald has been with the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI since February 2005. As the Director of Research and Consultation Negotiation Coordinator, she ensures all ancient, historical and traditional or “Living Memory” Mi’kmaq cultural and resource use of all PEI’s land and waterways are taken into account in proposed Federal and Provincial Government projects, on PEI. In her Outreach role, Tammy also creates and coordinates Mi’kmaq Educational Cultural Workshops for Government, academic, or private organizations, and is the Social Media developer for the Mi’kmaq Confederacy.

As an historian, Tammy is passionate about sharing accurate historical knowledge with as wide an audience as possible. As an Islander, she is passionate about celebrating the cultural diversity of this beautiful province.

Chief Matilda Ramjattan

Chief Matilda Ramjattan was elected Chief of the Lennox Island First Nation on 01 June 2013. Chief Ramjattan obtained a degree in Business Management with an emphasis in computers from Lexington, Nebraska, USA.  Matilda has specialized training in the emergency management field including: Basic emergency management; ICS 100, 200; EOC, Emergency Public Information; and Project Management Certificate from UPEI.  Matilda has worked in several different areas of health, such as a Medical Transcriptionist for Medical Group in Nebraska; Community Health Link in Massachusetts, in Mental Health. Matilda has served as an executive on the Board of Directors of the Aboriginal Women’s Association and is currently a Co-chair of the MCPEI Board of Directors.

Matilda has volunteered for many events, like teaching songs in Mi’kmaq, and is a member of the Sunrise Singers women’s drum group. She is active in her church, the Summerside Community Church, as a House Group leader, which she holds on Lennox Island. Matilda is also an Aboriginal Entrepreneur. She and her husband, Allan, own and operate a computer sales and service business, Megadealsrus, in Summerside.

Matilda is a Band member of Lennox Island, where she resides with her husband. She is the mother of two, Carol and Gerry, and the proud grandmother of seven granddaughters: Amber, Aayliah, Abigail, Autumn, Annabella, Audrina, Alanna, and a brand new grandson, Martin Gerard North Star, born August 22, 2014.

Chief Brian Francis

Chief Brian Francis was first elected Chief of the Abegweit First Nation in August 2007.  He was re-elected in 2011 and 2015.

Chief Francis was born September 28, 1957 in Lennox Island, Prince Edward Island. After receiving his early education in Lennox Island and Summerside, he completed four years of apprenticeship training and became a journeyman carpenter. He was the first Aboriginal person in PEI to receive his inter-provincial red seal trade certificate.

In 1983, he accepted the position as Education Coordinator with the Abegweit First Nation, providing advice and guidance to Aboriginal students. From 1983-1988, he returned to school on a part-time basis with the Maritime School of Social Work. In 1988, he began his career with the Government of Canada when he accepted a position with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Charlottetown. He served in various capacities with the Federal Government, including eight years as Employment and Issuance Officer and six years as an Employment Counsellor with Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). In 2002, he accepted the position as Aboriginal Coordinator with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and served in that position until his election as Chief and Band Administrator for Abegweit First Nation in August 2007.

Among his proudest accomplishments is the signing of the Canada-PEI-Mi’kmaq Partnership Agreement.

Chief Francis and his wife Georgina have three children, Kateri, Shawn and John Ryan. The couple resides in Rocky Point, Prince Edward Island.

Councillor Daren Knockwood

Councillor Jacob Jadis

Councillor Janet Banks

Councilior Mary Moore-Phillips

Councillor Richard Guimond