Chief Terry Paul, of Membertou First Nation, recently marked an extraordinary milestone: 40 years of service as Chief of Membertou. The Membertou Community recognized this historic achievement by making a $325,000 gift to establish the Chief Terry Paul Leadership Award at Cape Breton University, a tribute to his outstanding leadership and transformative impact in his community.

This newly created award, announced at his Celebration Gala, acknowledges his visionary leadership and his commitment to advancing economic development, education, and cultural preservation within Membertou and beyond. The celebration highlighted Chief Paul’s significant contributions to the Mi’kmaq community. Over four decades, his leadership has reshaped Membertou into a model of economic success and cultural strength. The award will inspire and support future leaders who demonstrate a passion for community building and innovation, continuing his legacy for generations to come.

Chief Paul, who holds an Honorary Doctorate from CBU, has dedicated the last four decades of his life to serving the Membertou First Nation, reshaping it from a community in need into one of Canada’s most prosperous and progressive Indigenous communities.

His leadership has been transformative and Membertou has flourished, tripling its land base, with a nearly 80% employment rate and a graduation rate that has tripled from 30% to 90%. He’s also led the community through the Marshall Decision and the historic acquisition of Clearwater Seafoods, the largest-ever investment by an Indigenous group in Canada.

Chief Paul’s legacy extends beyond economic success. His dedication to education has played a key role in his community’s development. The Chief Terry Paul Leadership Award aims to empower Indigenous students pursuing leadership roles in the healthcare sector, particularly in CBU’s new medical campus. This initiative has become part of a broader vision to give back to future generations through education and opportunity, further cementing Chief Paul’s commitment to building lasting, systemic change.

During the celebration of Chief Paul’s 40 years of service, CBU announced that an astounding $250,000 had been raised for Indigenous student awards at the university’s medical campus. The amount was later revealed to be $325,000 after all funds raised were calculated. This will provide crucial financial support for Indigenous students as they pursue their studies in medicine, allowing them to continue following in Chief Paul’s footsteps of leadership and advocacy. The funds will be instrumental in creating a pathway for more Indigenous students to enter the healthcare field.

The Chief’s legacy is firmly rooted in his service to his community, and now, through the support of the Chief Terry Paul Leadership Award and the generosity of those who contributed, his vision will help shape the next generation of leaders who will continue to advocate for and lead their communities with the same integrity and dedication that Chief Terry Paul has done for the past 40 years.