About
Working collaboratively, the Office of the Regional Chief represents 13 Mi’kmaw First Nation communities of Nova Scotia. As a trusted and solutions-focused advocate, we work to ensure that governments, industry, and the public recognize and respect:
Mi’kmaw inherent, Aboriginal and treaty rights, including title, jurisdictions, territories, laws, and traditions. Mi’kmaw culture, identity, systems of government and approaches to self-determination. Mi’kmaw voice, self-reliance, and autonomy throughout all government actions, laws, policies, procedures, and programs.
Regional Chief
Paul (PJ) Prosper is Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations and represents the Mi’kmaw Chiefs of Nova Scotia. Prior to his appointment in 2020, he served as Chief of Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation from 2013 to 2020. Paul is a proud graduate of the IB&M Initiative at the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University.
Paul has extensive experience in Aboriginal legal issues from research, litigation, and negotiation perspective. His work has been primarily devoted to advocating for the rights of Mi’kmaw people. Through the years, Paul has worked for several Mi’kmaw organizations in such areas as oral history; Mi’kmaw land use and occupation studies; claims research; citizenship; consultation; First Nations governance; justice; community development; and Nationhood.
As an educator, Paul has taught courses for Cape Breton University including Mi’kmaw history, Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, and Mi’kmaw Governance. He has also served on numerous boards and committees with an aim to improving the lives of Mi’kmaw people. Paul has conducted numerous talks and presentations in academic, government, and First Nations institutional settings. He believes in building strong and resilient communities by enabling and empowering its members.
pprosper@afn.ca
Executive Assistant: Jennifer Copage
jcopage@afnns.ca
Telephone: 902-201-0133
Member First Nation Communities
Working collaboratively, the Office of the Regional Chief represents 13 Mi’kmaw First Nation communities of Nova Scotia. As a trusted and solutions-focused advocate, we work to ensure that governments, industry, and the public recognize and respect:
Staff
Jennifer Copage, Executive Assistant
Jennifer Copage, CAPA, is a proud mother and grandmother. Jennifer has worked with First Nation communities and organizations for over 20 years.
Jennifer joined the regional office in December 2020 as Executive Assistant. Jennifer enjoys camping, hiking and knitting. Jennifer lives in Indian Brook First Nation, Nova Scotia with her husband.
Reisha Knott, Communications Specialist
Reisha Knott was born and raised in the beautiful Elmastukwek, Ktaqmkuk (Bay of Islands, Newfoundland). She flourished in her career of business operations while she made a home away from home in Antigonish [Sydney] County, Nova Scotia. Reisha developed her business knowledge of operations toward power plant systems when she graduated in the trade of Power Engineering Technology in 2019. Since then, Reisha has focused on the importance of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, reconnecting with community, and dedicated herself to the communication needs of First Nations across Newfoundland and Nova Scotia! Today, Reisha works for the AFN, Office of the Regional Chief in Nova Scotia as the Communications Specialist, and she is a member of our team as the region’s technician for the AFN Women’s Council. After collaborating with an incredible, all-women team in the expertise of website development, Reisha has brought our vision of the region’s very first website to life!
Board Members
The Board of Directors (BOD) is the governing body to the Regional Office of AFN, Nova Scotia for its thirteen (13) Member First Nations across the region. The BOD is currently comprised of nine (9) members, five (5) appointed or invited, non-voting and four (4) elected, voting-members that are chosen amongst the 13 respective First Nation Chiefs.
Regional Chief
Paul ProsperOfficer – CEO
Non-voting member
Chief
Sidney PetersNS Mainland Chief
Voting member
Chief
Robert GloadeNS Mainland Chief
Voting memberChief
Norman BernardNS Cape Breton Chief
Voting memberChief
Annie Bernard-DaisleyNS Cape Breton Chief
Voting memberBillie Julian
Youth Representative
Non-voting, advisory memberKaren Pictou
(Invited)Woman Representative
Non-voting, advisory memberGrand Chief
Norman SylliboyGrand Chief Representative of Grand Council; non-voting, advisory member
12 Stanley Johnson Street, Unit 4
Millbrook, Nova Scotia B6L 5B4
Phone: 902-201-0133
Toll Free: 1-888-927-6606
AFN Regional Chief
Paul (PJ) Prosper
pprosper@afn.ca
Executive Assistant
Jennifer Copage
jcopage@afnns.ca