Denise, who the Nova Scotia Chiefs voted in as Mi’kmaq Co-Chair on October 6th, joins Provincial Co-Chair Melody Martin-Googoo, and Federal Co-Chair Helen Long.

Denise is taking over the reins from previous Mi’kmaq Co-Chair Ann Denny, who left her position when she retired from her career as Aboriginal Services Coordinator with Cape Breton University, in December 2023.

Denise, a member of Sipekne’katik First Nation, was raised just outside of Kjipuktuk (Halifax), with strong family ties to several communities in Mi’kma’ki (Atlantic Canada). She was raised with traditional protocols and a deep respect for her inherent connection to land and water.

At a young age, Denise lost her mother, a loss that had a lasting intergenerational impact on her family. Denise advocates for Indigenous inherent Matrilineal rights, inclusion and equity. She has spoken on behalf of her mother at United Nations, civil rights conferences, journalist conferences. She has spoken domestically and internationally at colleges and universities in Canada and the United States, to bring awareness to the injustices of murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG). She has also worked for the National Inquiry into MMIWG.

Denise, the Nova Scotia Community College Senior Advisor for Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Initiatives, has worked with the Halifax Regional Center for Education (HRCE) for more than a decade. She has most recently worked as HRCE’s Mi’kmaq Indigenous Student Support Worker for the Halifax Region.

Denise has sat as a circle member of the National Family and Survivors Circle with CIRNAC, providing guidance and advice on, and best practices in engaging families, Survivors, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in the development of National Action Plan to implement the 231 Calls For Justice, from the final report on the National Inquiry into MMIWG.

Michelle MacEwan, Indigenous Employment Ambassador from Membertou, accompanied by other Clearwater staff, presented to the Education Committee about the Bedford-based seafood company’s Careers Set Sail Program, at its October 15th meeting in Millbrook, and later presented to the Economic Development Committee on November 26th, in Halifax.

The Careers Set Sail Program offers First Nations students, graduates and professionals educational work terms, and is available to those just starting their careers, those looking to change their career trajectory – and anyone in between.

Committee members heard that the program’s target is 125 placements over the course of five years, with placements typically lasting around four months. The program also helps provide training that would otherwise be difficult or time consuming to obtain for participants, for work that includes quality assurance and water vessel cooking.

The program offers work terms, rather than full-time work. However, those work terms can lead to opportunities and career growth for participants, sometimes with Clearwater itself. The Clearwater reps explained how the program works and how to apply to committee members.

The Clearwater reps noted that the program could provide support for First Nations students and professionals alongside the support provided through other avenues such as the Mi’kmaq Employment Training Secretariat (METS).

Clearwater’s versatile work terms can run the gamut of its operations, from tradespeople or quality assurance staff at work in its processing plants, and 35-days aboard clam boats, to HR, marketing or finance at its Bedford head office.

Education Committee members praised the versatility of the program, noting that it its’ good that Clearwater offers more than just entry-level positions, and is available to both graduates fresh out of high school or post-secondary, and people looking to change or upgrade their careers. Committee members encouraged Clearwater to reach out to local schools to promote what it offers.

Economic Development Committee members discussed the utility of the program in overcoming barriers. They also reflected on how the program can help make trades and new career paths more viable to participants, and how it has helped Mi’kmaq community members throughout the province get into a vocation, or achieve a successful career pivot.

Business Background

Since 2021, Clearwater has been 50% owned by the Mi’kmaq Coalition, a group of seven First Nations in Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland, that includes Membertou, Miawpukek, Paqtnkek, Pictou Landing, Potlotek, Sipekne’katik and We’koqkmaq.

The Mi’kmaq Coalition’s acquisition of Clearwater was one of the largest Canadian Indigenous investments in the seafood industry.

Clearwater employs around 1,900 people and owns its own fishing quotas, vessels and processing facilities, and delivers to wholesalers, retailers and food service distributors around the world.