Honouring a Legacy of Leadership: Chief Terrance Paul
As Chief Terrance Paul concludes 18 years of service with the National Indigenous Economic Board, his legacy is defined not only by the length of his tenure, but by the clarity of his purpose: to ensure Indigenous voices are heard, respected, and reflected in decisions that shape this country.
When Chief Paul reflects on his time on the Board, it is the people who stand out most vividly. “I’ve been on the board 18 years and it’s the people that I met on the board that’s really provided me with really good memories,” he says. He recalls the many trips taken together—journeys that were both informational and deeply moving. These experiences, he notes, opened doors to places and perspectives he might never otherwise have encountered. At the heart of it all was learning—learning about people, communities, and the shared responsibility of working toward a better future.
That sense of collective purpose has long defined Chief Paul’s leadership style. He speaks with deep respect for his fellow Board members, describing them as “very, very intelligent and smart people and very committed to the progress of our people here in this country.” For him, the Board is more than an advisory body; it is a gathering of minds determined to make a difference, even while acknowledging that “there is certainly a lot more to do.”
Chief Paul believes one of the Board’s most important impacts during his tenure has been shifting how government listens and responds to Indigenous perspectives. “I think that we’ve turned over a lot of people in their thinking about who we are,” he reflects. While barriers remain, he is clear-eyed about their nature. “All barriers are artificial. It’s just the way people think and how they look at things and look at life.” Through persistence and dialogue, he says, the Board has helped open “a lot of eyes and a lot of ears” within government, encouraging policymakers to pay closer attention to how their decisions affect Indigenous Peoples.
Chief Paul is candid about the work that remains. He sees a continuing gap in how Indigenous communities are considered when governments plan for the good of the country. Too often, he says, Indigenous Peoples are treated as an afterthought, with minimal resources set aside. In his view, the Board’s ongoing role is clear: to ensure Indigenous communities gain a fair and meaningful share of public investment and opportunity, and are never overlooked in national priorities.
This belief in equity and inclusion has guided Chief Paul throughout his career. First elected Chief of Membertou First Nation in 1984, he is a proud member of the community located in Unama’ki (Cape Breton Island), Nova Scotia.
Under his leadership, Membertou became one of the most progressive, efficient, and sustainable Indigenous communities in Canada. The Nation doubled its land base and increased employment by nearly 80 per cent. Chief Paul oversaw the creation of a diverse and dynamic portfolio of enterprises, including the Membertou Trade & Convention Centre, the Membertou Entertainment Centre, the Membertou Market, the Gaming Commission, commercial fisheries, and multiple realty, insurance, and retail ventures. In 2002, Membertou made history as the first Indigenous government in Canada—and the world—to receive ISO 9001 certification, firmly establishing its credibility in the business world.
That same forward-looking vision was evident in Chief Paul’s role in the landmark acquisition of Clearwater Seafoods. Recognizing the opportunity to secure long-term prosperity for Mi’kmaq communities, he helped bring together six Mi’kmaq Nations to complete the largest single Indigenous investment in Canada’s fishery—an acquisition that now places Indigenous Peoples at the heart of a global seafood company harvesting nearly 80 million pounds of fish annually.
Beyond Membertou, Chief Paul is a national leader in Indigenous economic development. A founding member of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, he helped grow the organization from seven members to more than 50 Indigenous financial corporations across Canada. He also played a pivotal role in supporting Donald Marshall Jr.’s successful Supreme Court case affirming Mi’kmaq Treaty rights to fish—an outcome that resulted in roughly $600 million in benefits for Mi’kmaq communities.
Chief Paul’s contributions have been widely recognized. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2017 for his commitment, perseverance, and dedication to community. He has received multiple honorary doctorates, been inducted into several business halls of fame, and earned national recognition for his leadership, including Lifetime Achievement and Top CEO awards. Most recently, he was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame as a Companion and in 2025, he was appointed to the Federal Indigenous Advisory Council’s Major Projects Office.
When asked what advice he would offer to First Nations and Indigenous Peoples seeking to strengthen economic development in their own communities, Chief Paul focuses on the foundation. “Education is key in advancing the progress of our people, the prosperity of our people,” he says. He encourages individuals not to be afraid to look beyond the boundaries of their communities, while always staying grounded in where they come from. “Always have your mind centered on where you come from and that the people matter the most.”
Chief Paul describes the Board as an essential voice on behalf of Indigenous Peoples—one that provides informed, credible advice across government. “It’s a very important tool on behalf of the people to ensure that the government never forgets us,” he says.
As he steps away from the Board, Chief Paul leaves behind a legacy of resolve and perseverance. “Determination takes you a long way,” he says. “Have a mindset of never giving up.”
Through 18 years of dedicated service, Chief Terry Paul exemplified that mindset in action. His influence will be felt not only in policies shaped and perspectives shifted, but in the countless leaders he has inspired by showing what is possible when vision, determination, and respect for community guide the way forward.
“Chief Terry Paul has been a guiding light for the Board and a national treasure when it comes to First Nation economic development. His visionary leadership and contributions to Indigenous economic inclusion in Canada have been both exceptional and inspirational. Around the Board table, he has championed real transformational change and prosperity for Indigenous nations from coast-to-coast-to-coast. I am truly honoured to have served beside him and to develop a lifelong friendship with this remarkable human being."
Dawn Madahbee Leach, NIEDB Chairperson
