Staff

Chief Sidney Peters is a Mi’kmaq from the Glooscap First Nation, NS. He is the son of former Chief Joseph Peters and was elected to the position in 2012. In his previous work life he has worked with the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq (CMM) as the Manager of their Lands, Environment, and Natural Resources Department (LENR). He was responsible for the operation of the LENR department, which included: lands, and research on any land issues relating to First Nation communities.

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     Prior to his work with CMM Sidney has 23 years of work experience with not-for profit groups, band councils, tribal councils, and municipalities, and federal and provincial governments. He is highly motivated, results based professional with a tremendous amount of experience in aboriginal housing management and program delivery.  He has strong organizational and communication skills, his personal attributes include strength in project management, leadership, team building, motivation and communication.

     Sidney is married to his wife, Darlene Stevenson and they have two children Dylan and Joecy.

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Chief Sidney Peters is responsible for the following portfolios:  Governance, Finance, Treaty Rights and General knowledge on all portfolios.

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The Chief can be contacted through his Executive Assistant Robyn Crowe: rcrowe@glooscapfirstnation.com

Kwe’, teluisi (Hello, my name is) Councillor Amanda Francis, I was elected on April 2022 into GFN Chief and Council. I have worked for Glooscap First Nation since 2014 as the Native Employment Officer and Housing and Infrastructure Manager, then in 2018 began my position as the Director of Administration which I held until elected to Chief and Council.

Glooscap First Nation is my home, I have lived and raised all three of my daughters in the community for the last 22 years. I enjoy community events and gatherings, hiking, random road trips and making memories with my family. 

I have enjoyed serving our community and membership over the last 8 years and look forward to serving and engaging the entire membership during my term in Chief and Council.  Listed below are the portfolios I hold and the Boards of Directors I sit on. If you have any questions, concerns or just want to chat please contact me at your earliest convenience.

Portfolio’s: Social Service, Employment, Membership, Economic Development, Housing, Gaming, Communication, Off Reserve Membership, Education & Youth

Board of Directors:  Ventures Board of Directors and CMM Advisory Board.

On April 1, 2022, I took office as an elected Councillor.  My home is located in the community of Glooscap First Nation which I share with my husband, Jake.  I am the daughter of Patty Smith, who also lives in the community and is a respected elder and craftswoman.  In addition to spending time with my family, my hobbies include genealogy, bicycling, boating, being out in nature and playing guitar. Since starting work in 2013 at Glooscap First Nation, I have continually updated my skills, with my latest accomplishment as a Certified Indigenous Leader from the AFOA Group. 

One of my priorities is to have open and honest communication with band members and to follow the seven sacred teachings in everything that I do.  I believe that by promoting our Mi’kmaw values, customs and beliefs, we will be a stronger, healthier and more sustainable community.  Leadership, members and staff have a responsibility to each other to create a space that everyone can feel safe, can grow and can be proud of Glooscap First Nation.  When we work together anything is achievable.  

M’sit No’kmaq

Hello, my name is Jason MacLeod. I am the Natural Resources and Environment Officer for Glooscap First Nation. I have been employed with the band since 2015 and have held several positions. I started as a Gaspereau Lake Archeological On-site Monitor and was employed as the Housing & Infrastructure Officer from 2017 to 2022. Before my employment at Glooscap First Nation, I studied at Acadia University majoring in History, and served over 11 years in the Canadian Armed Forces. I reside in Coldbrook, N.S. with my two sons. My hobbies and interests include hunting & fishing, billiards, hockey, basketball, and being outside in the wilderness. I am passionate about our community and band members succeeding and thriving in today’s world, while keeping our traditions and practices alive and well.

My name is Catherine Smith and I am proud to say I have been working for Glooscap First Nation since December 2018. I am the Administrative Assistant for Glooscap First Nation Band Office. I was bon in Middleton and moved to Wolfville when I was 15. I now live in Falmouth with my partner of 14 years and our 4 beautiful children and 2 dogs. I love getting to know the community and being a part of something so amazing. 

admin@glooscapfirstnation.com

My name is Gail Blair.  I live in Sackville NS.  I have family and a camp in Bridgewater and spend a lot of my time swimming, boating, and fishing in the summer and weekend getaways at camp during the winter months. 

Gail Blair works as a Payroll and Accounting Clerk for Glooscap First Nation where she is responsible for five payrolls during a two week cycle during peak season.

She also completes tasks required by the accounting department during the month as needed by the team.

Vanessa Pearson, Human Resources and Policy Director for Glooscap First Nation and Glooscap Ventures. 

Contact me with any questions regarding recruitment and general human resources at Glooscap.

vpearson@glooscapfirstnation.com – Telephone: 902-441-1652

Marilyn Perkins 

Marilyn has been employed with Glooscap First Nation since November 2010 as the Education and Social Officer.  In 2018, she became a full-time Education Officer.   She retired from Parks Canada after 34 years as the first Aboriginal Alliances Advisor at the Regional Office in Halifax.  She served on the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board for four years.  Marilyn is a member of the following organizations: new formed Indigenous Education Advisory Council at Acadia University, Board of Directors of the Landscape of Grand Pre Incorporation (UNESCO Site), the Mi’kmaq Language Advisory Committee, the Education Working Group, Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, and the Horton High School Advisory Committee.   

Marilyn lives at Glooscap First Nation. She is married and has one son, David.  She spends most of her weekends at their cottage located at Cape Split.

Kwe’. Teluisi Taylor Peters and I am a cis-gendered L’nu woman and a band member of Glooscap First Nation, and my preferred pronouns are she/her. I attended Mount Allison University where I graduated with a BA in psychology and a minor in women and gender studies. I currently reside in Middleton, with my wonderful partner, and my dog Muin. I am very honoured to hold the position of Band Designate for Glooscap First Nation. As the band designate, I ensure that children who are members, or eligible to be members of the band, who are involved with the child welfare system, can exercise their right to their culture and community. I assist families on navigating the services required to address any child protection concerns and I also act as an advocate and a resource for children and families in our community. I liaison with Mi’kmaw Family and Children’s Services, as well as the Department of Community Services, to ensure that Indigenous children and families have access to their language, and I also ensure that they are receiving culturally appropriate services/programming. Please don’t ever hesitate to contact me and I look forward to continuing to serve the members of Glooscap First Nation. Wela’lioq aq Msit No’kmaq. 

Phone: 902-824-0515

Email: tpeters@glooscapfirstnation.com

My name is Michelle Turkey, and I am the Housing and Infrastructure Officer.   I started this position in the summer of 2022.  Previously, I was the manager of Glooscap Corner from 2014-2020.

I was born in Windsor NS and lived on Glooscap (Horton) in the 1970’s to 1981 before moving to Ontario.  After being homesick for 32 years I moved home in the fall of 2013.  I am married and have seven children and two granddaughters.  

My interests include genealogy, basketball, and lacrosse.  I also love going on family road trips.  

I am very excited to be working in my community as Housing and Infrastructure Officer and look forward to meeting many more Glooscap members.

Michelle Turkey

Glooscap First Nation

Housing & Infrastructure Officer

159 Smith Road

Hantsport, N.S.

B0P 1P0

Phone: (902) 684-9788 ext 225

Cell: (782) 838-0309

My name is Shay-Lee Rafuse. I am the eldest daughter of Valerie Gibson and Brian Rafuse. I currently live in Port Williams with my husband Bill, son Zach, 6 hens, a kitten and an 8 year old Newfoundland/Bernese Mountain Dog mix Murphy. I have been fortunate to have travelled the world and experienced living and learning with various cultures. I can often be found by the water or in my garden. I love being in nature and enjoy meeting and talking with people. 

I am someone who is drawn to helping others heal. I ran my own massage therapy practice for 18+ years. In that time, I worked closely with other para-professionals, specialists and physicians. Recently I had been working in a non-profit supporting job seekers in connecting with employers. I am thrilled to be working at the Health Centre and supporting the health center team, medical professionals  and the community.

Shay-Lee is the new Health Director working closely with Charlotte Warrington during her onboarding process. Shay has her diploma in Community Services and is a Registered Massage Therapist. She has a love of knowledge and health and is excited to bring that to her new role. As the Health Director, Shay is responsible for supporting the team as well as managing day to  day operations. Liaising with Health Canada and Nova Scotia Health Authority. Working closely with Band Council and program staff to review programs, activities, budgets and items of concerns on a monthly and annual basis. Shay is looking forward to continuing to build positive and supportive relationships with community members and continue to encourage a thriving and healthy community.

Kwe’. My name is Kellie Trefry and I am the Administrative Assistant for Glooscap Health and Healing Centre where I have been employed for the past 8 years. I was born and raised in Kentville but have lived in Hantsport for the past 22 years where I currently reside with my boyfriend Digger and our blended family which consists of four teenagers (3 daughters and a son) which keep us very busy and forever on our toes! I have a degree in Gerontology and Psychology (with a minor in Sociology) and have worked in Administrative work for the past 20 years in various settings.

While at work, you can find me as you enter the Health and Healing Centre or on the other end of your phone calls. I pride myself in supporting the Health Team and I consider myself very fortunate to not only work in an amazing community, but to have been able to develop meaningful relationships with band and community members, the paraprofessionals who provide us with a variety of services, and my work family.

When I am not working, I can be found at various sporting events cheering loud and proud for my kids or lakeside with them at my parents’ home enjoying all things water related.

My name is Mary, and I am one of the Community Health Nurses at Glooscap First Nation.  I was born and raised in Hantsport, NS. I received my BSN at Dalhousie University and left for 13 years to pursue my Nursing career in the US. I have spent the majority of my career in the Operating Room and continue to work there part time. I have been back in Nova Scotia for over ten years now. I have raised my three girls here- the feeling of family and community is very important to me . I have felt that same sense of welcoming from my first day at Glooscap and am excited to be a part of this community.

 I am Kristy Callahan. I am a very energetic and resilient outgoing person. Everything I do I put a lot of positivity, drive, and passion into. I currently reside in the Annapolis Valley. I have a little boy who keeps me on my toes and is my whole world. I love to talk so please when you see me stop in and see me. I am very goal-oriented and my focus a lot of times is on supporting others in all avenues such as Health, wellness, and physical activity.

As the MPAL (Municipal/Mi’kmaw Physical Activity Coordinator) My main focus is to ensure that support is provided with the development and implementation of community-wide physical activity and movement plans. Along with increasing awareness, engagement, and providing insight of what healthy active living is. I look at different avenues such as living documents that support physically active opportunities and initiatives created by the community. I focus on the need and the outcome. While building partnerships within the Mi’kmaw communities.  My goal is to ensure that Glooscap has active programming running, spaces to go to engage in physical activity that does not result in having to leave their community, and ensuring members are engaged and educated in what healthy living looks like. I encourage others to engage in physical activity and I create opportunities for the community while focusing on physical activity enhancement, and future opportunities. “Being active every day makes it easier to hear that inner voice”.