Meet Joanna Bernard, AFN Regional Chief, New Brunswick, and Interim National Chief

Building sustainable, prosperous, and self-governing Nations.

Assembly of First Nations New Brunswick Regional Chief and interim National Chief Joanna Bernard, a member of Madawaska Maliseet First Nation in New Brunswick, Canada, is a prominent leader dedicated to advancing prosperity and economic development for First Nations in Canada.

Interim National Chief Bernard is a proud mother of five sons, one stepdaughter, and grandmother to fifteen grandchildren. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, and raised in Madawaska First Nation, New Brunswick, interim National Chief Bernard is of Italian and First Nations descent. 

Interim National Chief Bernard has more than two decades of experience in First Nations politics and leadership. She’s been an integral part of Madawaska Maliseet First Nation and played a pivotal role in its growth and success. Throughout her journey, interim National Chief Bernard held various positions of leadership and made significant contributions for First Nations across New Brunswick.

Interim National Chief Bernard’s journey began within her own community, where she served as a Councillor and later as Chief from 2003 to 2013. Recognizing the importance of economic development, interim National Chief Bernard became the CEO of the Madawaska Maliseet Economic Development Corporation (MMEDC) in 2013. Her vision paved the way for notable achievements, including the establishment of the Grey Rock Power Centre.

Beyond her community, interim National Chief Bernard has been active in various organizations and committees at the provincial and national levels. Interim National Chief Bernard served as a member of the First Nations and Business Liaison Group of New Brunswick, the Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs’ Committee on Economic Development, and the Union of New Brunswick Indians’ Aboriginal Natural Resources Committee. Additionally, she held the positions of President of the Maliseet Nation Conservation Council and Co-Chair of the Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs in New Brunswick. Through her involvement in these tables, interim National Chief Bernard advocates for First Nations inherent and Treaty rights, economic prosperity, and sustainable resource management.

In recognition of her efforts and leadership, Interim National Chief Bernard received the Order of New Brunswick in 2013 contributing to the well-being and economic prosperity of the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation and other First Nations communities throughout New Brunswick. Her dedication was acknowledged by being appointed as an Honorary Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces and receiving Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.

In 2021, Joanna Bernard assumed the role of Regional Chief for New Brunswick and the role of Interim National Chief in July 2023. With her experience, passion for economic development, and commitment to advocating for First Nations inherent and Treaty rights, Interim National Chief Bernard continues advocate for First Nations across Canada and future generations.

As a member of Witchekan Lake First Nation located in Treaty Six territory (northern Saskatchewan), Regional Chief Bobby Cameron has spent the majority of his life maintaining strong ties to culture, language and identity. As an avid hunter, trapper, and fisherman – Chief Cameron advocates and understands the significance of First Nations culture and tradition with respect to keeping close ties to traditional lands. He is currently in his second term as Chief of Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, a Treaty and Inherent Rights organization that represents 74 First Nations, and more than 160,000 First Nations people. He has also served one term as a Vice-Chief for Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN). Chief Cameron holds a Bachelor of Arts, with a major in Indigenous Studies from the University of Regina. He is a strong advocate for Treaty and Inherent Rights for future generations of First Nations people.

Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador Mr. Ghislain Picard is Innu from the community of Pessamit. Between 1976 and 1989, he dedicated most of his time in communications. He was responsible for communications and media relations for the Conseil Atikamekw Montagnais (CAM). He published a periodical called “Tepatshimuwin” intended for Atikamekw and Innu communities. At the beginning of the 1980s, Mr. Picard was President of the Quebec Native Friendship Center. In 1983, he was very active to implement a community radio stations network for his nation. He is one of the founding members of the Société de communication atikamekw et montagnaise (SOCAM). SOCAM produces radio shows in Aboriginal language.

In the middle of the 1980s, Mr. Picard participated to a UNESCO international study on the role of communications in rural communities. After he was appointed vice-president of the CAM in 1989, he was elected Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) in 1992 and has been the AFNQL Regional Chief since. As AFNQL Chief, he sits on the Assembly of First Nations Executive and Management Committees and is the spokesperson for the Comprehensive claims, Urban population and International Issues portfolios. On July 15, 2014 in Halifax, the Chiefs-in-Assembly unanimously appointed him as National Chef. He occupied this function until December 2014 and then resumed his position as Chief of the AFNQL. On October 28, 2003, Mr. Picard received the National Order of Quebec. On January 24, 2005, he received the distinguished insignia of Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur from the Consul Général de France.

Regional Chief Kluane Adamek (traditional name “Aagé) has served as the Assembly of First Nations Yukon Regional Chief since January 2018. Chief Adamek is a proud northerner and citizen of Kluane First Nation. Regional Chief Adamek belongs to the Dakl’aweidi (Killerwhale) Clan and comes from a diverse background with Tlingit, Southern Tutchone, German and Irish origins.

After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Canadian Studies from Carleton University in 2009, she returned home to work with Yukon First Nations and local communities in the areas of education, economic development and governance. In 2019, she completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Simon Fraser University. Throughout her career, she has served on several boards and committees including the Yukon College Board of Governors, Kluane Dana Trust, Actua, the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, and the Aboriginal Sport Circle.

She has proven experience in both the private and public sectors, and in Government. While pursuing her Jane Glassco Northern Fellowship with the Walter and Duncan Gordon Charitable Foundation, she led and founded “Our Voices,” a collective of northern Indigenous emerging leaders and is incredibly passionate about supporting youth and emerging leaders in the North and beyond.

Regional Chief Adamek currently holds the AFN National Portfolios for Climate Change and the Environment, Youth and Modern Treaties. She continues to press for changes in the ways young people and the next generation are included in decision-making forums, and she is committed to advancing solutions and approaching leadership from a place of values.

A citizen of M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island, Regional Chief Glen Hare served four consecutive terms as Deputy Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation before being elected Grand Council Chief of Anishinabek Nation in 2018. Regional Chief Hare was elected Ontario Regional Chief at the Chiefs of Ontario All Ontario Chiefs Conference in June 2021.

Regional Chief Hare began his political career as Chief of M’Chigeeng First Nation for six consecutive terms, three consecutive terms as a Band Councillor, and two terms as the Lake Huron Regional Grand Chief. He has also served as co-chair of the Anishinabek and Ontario Resource Management Council, an innovative partnership, policy and discussion forum between the Anishinabek Nation and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Regional Chief Hare continues to be an outspoken advocate for the First Nations child well-being and customary care laws. He is critical of the government’s imposition of non-Indigenous child protection legislation, favours the establishment of First Nations-led child well-being law, interventions and First Nations foster homes. During his tenure at the Anishinabek Nation, Regional Chief Hare was a strong advocate for the Anishinabek Nation Governance. Being a fluent Anishinaabemowin speaker, Regional Chief Hare is also passionate about language revitalization.

Regional Chief Hare and his large family are passionately committed to the Nations he serves.

Regional Chief Terry Teegee, is proudly serving his second term with the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN). Chief Teegee’s ancestry is Dakelh, Gitxsan and Sekani and he is a member of Takla Nation. As a former Registered Professional Forester, he was responsible for looking after forests, including lands and resources. Terry is deeply involved in natural resources development and the pertaining policies. As Regional Chief, he is an instrumental voice in the development and historic passing of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA).

Terry’s strong leadership, both provincially and nationally, is vital on the following portfolios and issues:

• AFN Chair on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Committee
• Co-Chair of the AFN National Fisheries Committee
• Co-Lead on the AFN Justice and Policing Portfolio
• Co-Chair for the Champions Table with B.C. Business Council
• Tripartite Working Group (TWG) member to implement Bill C-92, Indigenous Child Welfare Jurisdiction Bill to implement the Commitment Document Provincially
• AFN Representative on the UN Convention of Biodiversity
• Member of the BC First Nation Gaming Commission

Terry is known for his caring and collaborative leadership. He works to unify and support people working together towards the recognition of our inherent rights and Title, Treaty Rights and Human Rights as Indigenous Peoples.

Previous to becoming Regional Chief, Terry was the elected Tribal Chief of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) from 2012-2017 and CSTC Vice Tribal Chief from 2009-2012. Previous to his political aspirations, Terry held forestry and natural resources roles with the CSTC and Takla Nation. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Resources Management (Forestry) and also a Natural Resources Technology Diploma.

Terry and his family reside on Lheidli T’enneh Shelley Reserve.

Regional Chief Gerald Antoine is an experienced Dene politician. He was born in Fort Simpson and was Chief of the Łı́ı́dlı̨ Kų́ e First Nation until earlier this year. He has also served as Grand Chief of the Dehcho First Nations.

The Interim Regional Chiefs for Nova Scotia are Pictou Landing First Nation Chief Andrea Paul and Eskasoni First Nation Chief Leroy Denny.

Interim Regional Chief Andrea Paul hold the portfolio for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples.

The interim Regional Chiefs for Prince Edward Island are Abegweit First Nation Chief Junior Gould, who sits on the Assembly’s committee for charter renewal, and Lennox Island First Nation Chief Darlene Bernard.

The interim Regional Chiefs for Prince Edward Island are Abegweit First Nation Chief Junior Gould, who sits on the Assembly’s committee for charter renewal, and Lennox Island First Nation Chief Darlene Bernard.

The Interim Regional Chiefs for Nova Scotia are Pictou Landing First Nation Chief Andrea Paul and Eskasoni First Nation Chief Leroy Denny.

Interim Regional Chief Leroy Denny holds the Languages Portfolio.