Leadership Team
Our private sector campaign engages businesses, individuals, and organizations across Canada, led by Dr. Donald M. Julien of Millbrook First Nation and retired Senator Dan Christmas of Membertou First Nation. Both are respected leaders with a strong commitment to advancing Indigenous rights and opportunities. Supported by a team of prominent Canadians, this initiative aims to build partnerships that foster collaboration and shared responsibility in addressing key national issues. By mobilizing resources and advocating for action, the campaign seeks to inspire collective contributions toward a more inclusive and equitable future for all Canadians.
Dr. Donald Julien, co-chair
Dr. Donald Julien is a renowned Mi’kmaw historian and Executive Director of The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq. Over the past two decades, his leadership has transformed the Confederacy into one of Canada’s most respected tribal councils. With over 40 years of experience researching and documenting Mi’kmaw history, Donald shares his vast knowledge through lectures, speaking engagements, and research publications.
A Member of both the Order of Canada and the Order of Nova Scotia, Donald has been recognized for his efforts to promote Mi’kmaw history, language, and culture. He holds honorary degrees from Acadia University and Mount Saint Vincent University. A Canadian Armed Forces veteran, Donald served during peacetime and as part of a United Nations Peacekeeping mission in Cyprus. He continues to advise the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP Aboriginal Advisory Group, and the Auditor General on Indigenous matters. In 2011, he was appointed Honorary Lieutenant Colonel and also serves on the Advisory Board for the Admiral of the Canadian Navy.
Donald and his wife Diane reside in Truro, where they are proud parents of four children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Dan Christmas, co-chair
The Honorable Dan Christmas is a former Senator and served as the first Mi’kmaw Senator in the Senate of Canada from 2016 to 2023. Before his time as a Senator, Dan Christmas served in various leadership positions in the Mi’kmaw Nation of Nova Scotia. After serving five years as the Band Manager for the community of Membertou, Dan worked for the Union of Nova Scotia Indians for 15 years – the last 10 as its Director and has served as elected councilor for Membertou for 18 years. He has been actively involved in several international, national, provincial, and local agencies in a wide range of fields including, aboriginal and treaty rights, justice, policing, education, health care, human rights, adult training, business development, and the environment.
Trevor Arthurs
Trevor Arthurs was born in Halifax, NS and has lived in a number of communities in the province including Truro where he has lived for the last 30 years.
Trevor graduated from the Technical University of Nova Scotia in 1989 with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics and in 1990 with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Trevor is a retired engineer who dedicated over three decades of his career to Intertape Polymer Group. In his role as the VP of Research and Business Development he helped develop and sell new products all over the world. Over the course of his career the ECP division of Intertape grew from one manufacturing operation in Truro to 4 plants in three countries. Known for his innovation and commitment to excellence, Trevor earned a reputation as a problem-solver and a mentor to younger engineers.
Trevor is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying the natural beauty of Nova Scotia through hiking, canoeing, and camping. His love for the outdoors reflects his broader commitment to preserving the environment for future generations, including his three daughters.
Lynn Coveyduck
Lynn’s Dad would say she can’t keep a job…she says she’s just interested in too many different things. Over the course of her career, Lynn has led a non-profit, tackled challenging media issues such as strikes and lay-offs, built new lines of revenue in the post-secondary industry, and managed an economic development team’s province-wide response to COVID-19 in its early days. At the same time, she’s raised funds to build a new YMCA and the Margaret Norrie McCain Centre at MSVU, mentored students, entrepreneurs, and new Nova Scotians, been on a Chamber of Commerce task force, and helped plan provincial legs of national conferences (twice). And she’s also the only Duke MBA graduate in Atlantic Canada (as far as she knows – if you’re a Blue Devil, get in touch). Now she’s stepped into the VC realm with Sandpiper Ventures, using her strategic management skills to ensure founders and investors are given the custom, thoughtful Sandpiper treatment they won’t get anywhere else.
Larry Freeman
Larry Freeman, K.C., is a seasoned legal professional with over 40 years of experience in banking, financing, commercial lending, corporate law, and real estate. He has provided counsel to clients on complex commercial transactions, real estate acquisitions, sales, and leasing, with extensive involvement in project financing both within and outside Canada.
Larry’s commitment to his profession is matched by his dedication to community service. He actively contributes to various organizations, including serving as a board member for Saint Mary’s University and the Heart & Stroke Foundation. He is also a member of the Community Leadership Advisory Council and the Canadian Bar Association.
Larry’s expertise has been recognized through numerous accolades, including being named King’s Counsel in 2002 and earning consistent rankings in Lexpert for his work in banking, financial institutions, property development, corporate commercial law, and property leasing. His education at Dalhousie University, where he earned his LL.B. in 1973 and B.Comm. in 1970, laid the foundation for his distinguished career.
Chief Bob Gloade
Robert (Bob) Gloade was elected as Chief for the Millbrook First Nation for his seventh consecutive term and has served for six consecutive terms as a council member before elected as Chief. Chief, Gloade resides in Millbrook with his wife Kelly and two sons.
Chief Gloade graduated from Saint Mary’s University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree; a double Major in Management and Human Resource Management, and Industrial Relations. In addition, he has over 12-years experience in the Banking Industry including Account Manager, focusing on Small Business, Personal Finance, and Aboriginal Banking.
Over the years, Chief, Gloade has and continues to represent the Mi’kmaq community interests with Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, The Assembly of Nova Scotia Chiefs, Co-Chair / Executive Board and Audit and Finance for Atlantic Policy Congress, Mi’kmaq Family and Community Services, Ulnooweg Development Corp., Mi’kmaq Employment Training Secretariat, and Saint Mary’s University Board of Governors.
Working collectively to seek solutions in the midst of challenges as they occur, ensures the success of our community moving forward. Chief, Gloade remains fully committed to addressing community and all band member concerns at every level of negotiated partnerships with municipal, provincial and federal government. Chief, Gloade continues to focus a steadfast reconciliation and action that honors the spirit of unity and trust between First Nation people and Canada.
Danielle Hartley
Danielle Hartley, the driving force behind DHIR Inc., is a seasoned Indigenous relations specialist with over 15 years in community and Indigenous engagement. As an ally in developing Indigenous strategies, policies, and engagement plans, Danielle has built a reputation for fostering meaningful and ethical relationships between businesses and Indigenous communities nationally.
Danielle’s expertise spans Indigenous community employment, procurement, training, and investment. Her approach is driven by a commitment to “work herself out of a job,” emphasizing sustainable and impactful outcomes for both companies and communities. Notably, she was the first contracted facilitator for the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business’s (CCIB) Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations Program nationwide, guiding numerous companies to achieve bronze, silver, and gold certifications over the past decade. Her unique ability to balance strategic vision with detailed execution, sets her apart.
Danielle’s career includes significant roles with one of Canada’s most economically successful First Nations as well as a global leader in the utilities industry, positioning her as a vital connector in the business landscape.
Danielle holds a Bachelor of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University, completed the Ivey School of Business Strategic Leadership Program, and earned the Indigenous Relations Leadership Certificate from the University of Calgary. She is also on the DE&I committees in the Designers and Constructors Institute (DCI) as well as the Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS).
Chris Muir
Chris Muir is the District Vice President for TD Bank, overseeing operations in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. With over 12 years at TD, he has held various senior roles, including Senior Manager of Finance (2016-2018) in Halifax and Senior Manager of Workforce Management (2014-2016) in Toronto. Chris also led continuous improvement initiatives and retail measurement efforts, focusing on optimizing business performance.
Since taking on his current role in 2018, Chris has driven growth and leadership across the region, building on his extensive experience in finance, operations, and team management. A graduate of Western University, Chris combines a strong academic background with practical leadership skills, making him a key figure in TD’s success in Atlantic Canada.
His leadership emphasizes continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and delivering results that benefit both the bank and the communities it serves.
Steve Rankin
Steve is a seasoned communications and engagement professional experienced in energy transition, regulated industry, and organizational governance. Through 25 years of private sector leadership, he has guided efforts on behalf of companies and clients in government relations, regulatory affairs, Indigenous partnership, policy development and strategic planning. Steve’s roots are in energy and resource development, from growing up in communities founded on coal, steel and forestry, to a career introducing new energy alternatives such as natural gas and green hydrogen in Atlantic Canada. He has an enduring interest in community economic development and youth education in science, which he fosters as a volunteer for organizations such as the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre and Discovery Centre International.
Tyler Sack
Tyler Sack is currently the Director of Aquatic Resources & Fisheries Management for the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, he was previously the Director of Governance and pursued the new role to enhance internal collaborations and innovative solutions. Tyler grew up in Sipekne’katik and Membertou First Nations.
Previously, Tyler was the Manager of Research and Analytics for Orenda Software Solutions, an artificial intelligence company that uses social media to measure public perception. Prior to that he worked for Membertou First Nation in Communications, and the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation in Capacity Development.
Tyler earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology from Saint Mary’s University and a Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Guelph. In 2022, Tyler was accepted into the Governor General Canadian Leadership Conference. In 2023, he was accepted into the Indigenous Leadership Circle, a network of emerging Indigenous, Metis, and Inuit members to share, elevate, and advance their ideas.
Tyler has been a Sundancer since 2008 with the White Eagle Sundance in Elsipogtog, NB.
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