Chief & Council

Holding the position of Fishery Officer with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) since 1999, Andrew has a wealth of knowledge and experience which he has been able to bring to Council, Wasoqopa’q and its members, upon being elected to Council in 2005. In his position with DFO he is responsible to enforce the Federal Fisheries and Species at Risk Acts, monitor alterations to fish habitat and other fishing related tasks. Previous experience includes being a Park Warden at Kejimikujik National Park and a Conservation Officer for Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources. As a Councillor, Andrew holds the Fishing and Hunting portfolio for Wasoqopa’q First Nation, which provides additional value to the community, as a whole.

Along with Andrew's tasks of responding to community member's requests, attending meetings, visiting the Gold River Reserve and consulting with staff, Andrew has had the opportunity to work on a number of committee's including Ponhook Trust, Gold River after school program, youth moose hunt, Gold River land use, Gold River Pow Wow and others that may arise.

Living with his wife and two wonderful children in Brooklyn Nova Scotia, Andrew has a love and passion for the outdoors and it is through his interest in fishing and hunting that he has been able to educate and emphasize the importance of protecting Wasoqopa’q's many resources. Andrew works with the community in providing information on current harvesting regulations, moose hunting and fishing. To ensure that he has the most relevant information for members, he attends a number of meetings and workshops regarding harvest of natural resources.

I believe that it is our responsibility to sustain what is here for the generations that follow. It is through my Mi'kmaq heritage that I have learned to be a steward of our natural resources. Opportunities to strengthen our culture, natural resources, education and spirituality are priorities for me as a leader.

Avis was elected to the Band Council in June of 2015. Prior to that, she was an employee with WFN for 15 years where, she worked from the Medway Office located in Greenfield.

She resides in Milton, Queens County, with her husband and son. Avis is also a graduate of Compu College School of Business. She currently holds the Health portfolio and is the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee. She sits on numerous committees and working groups within the ever-growing First Nation community. Some of these include: health, finance, emergency management, recreation and culture, Ponhook Trust, Tusket and Mersey Dam Refurbishment, and Housing.

Avis works from both the Medway and Wildcat offices when not engaged in meetings. She believes in WFN and the importance of members working together to help build a strong community. She prides herself on her strong work ethic and being actively involved within the community. Avis works very closely with WFN staff and program directors and professes that “our staff, administration, and businesses are the backbone of our First Nation; without them we would not have been able to grow and prosper as much as we have.”

Avis applauds the fact that “we as a collective team and community have worked very hard during the last few years to develop and build stronger policies and procedures, as well as, economic development opportunities”. She looks forward to the many opportunities that await all band members.

A councillor since 1996, Charmaine has worked hard for Wasoqopa’q and has contributed to the community's growth and prosperity. In charge of the Education and Fisheries portfolio, Charmaine works in collaboration with the Education Director and the Employment Officer to assist Band members in acquiring beneficial and sustainable educational opportunities, and with the Fisheries Director to oversee Wasoqopa’q's prosperous commercial fishery, Kespuwick Resources.

A graduate of Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Commerce (1993) and a Bachelor of Law (1996) from Dalhousie Law School, Charmaine operated a successful law practice for ten years. As a councillor, she is a valuable resource for her legal expertise and is required to work on a number of policies, negotiations and various legal matters.

She is active both in and outside the community to help promote Wasoqopa’q First Nation and its members. Within the Community Charmaine is:

- Chair of Ponhook Trust
- Chair of the Fishery Advisory Board for Kespuwick Resources
- Member of the Queens Recreation and Cultural Committee

Charmaine lives with her husband and three children in Port Medway, Queens County and she is proud to assist Wasoqopa’q First Nation, to be available and continue to learn from the community as a whole.

Jeff Purdy has been on the Wasoqopa’q First Nation Band Council since October 2012, he resides in Yarmouth on the Wasoqopa’q First Nation and has lived there since 2003. Jeff was raised in Milton; Queens Co. and is an avid outdoorsman; he loves to be in the woods and on the waters within Nova Scotia. His peace of mind is paramount when he is guiding others in the woods and teaching youth about nature and the land, or when he has the honor to be alongside his respected elders learning from their stories and experiences. Jeff is halfway through his career and takes notice to how time is flying by, he whole heartily recognizes the importance to make and take the time to mentor the youth during hunting and fishing excursions, after all, they are the next keepers of OUR land.

Jeff faces all issues moving steadily forward and takes time for all involved to listen to their concerns, he feels by taking one's time and listening to individuals, that a proficient representative can determine the best plan of action to resolve issues, seek resolution and move forward. Jeff is very approachable and available to contact and he will speak with anyone to hear their concerns, ideas and issues. Please do not hesitate to contact Jeff on his cell phone @ (902) 740-2905, via email @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or in office.

Elected since 2002, I work as part of the council team to ensure the best possible outcomes on issues concerning Wasoqopa’q First Nation. My particular interest in the above portfolios, is to ensure our members have the best possible opportunities to achieve their educational and employment goals, move forward economically and do so in a fiscal responsible way. Being bound by budgets, I wish we could do more but the reality is we have to work within our means.

Currently a Commissioner of Oaths, I am also on the board of directors of the First Nation Finance Authority, an Indigenous organization that provides loans to First Nation Bands. The FNFA has over 1.5 billion out in projects to help First Nation communities across the country achieve their goals.

In the past I was a Trustee of the Ponhook Trust, volunteered as a Firefighter, Block Parent, blood donor, sitting on HRM committees and was an Administrative Justice of the Peace officiating more than 60 weddings.

With education and wise financial management, individuals and communities can develop, thrive and prosper. Let’s all have respect for one another and work together for the betterment and growth of our Nation.

Natteal was elected to the Band Council in November 2020. Prior to that she held a market leading Financial Advisor role with Royal Bank of Canada for 6 years, and worked as a Youth Care Counsellor with children in Foster Care within Nova Scotia. Natteal holds strong Mi'kmaq culture values and traditions and is a community activist for youth, both Mi'kmaq and Black.

Natteal was born in Boston, Massachusetts and currently lives in Dartmouth, NS with her partner, young daughter and step son. Growing up with strong family culture and beliefs, Natteal prides herself on being a unique bridge being Mi'kmaq, Black and a Woman. In 2001, Natteal, with her family, moved to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and resided on the Yarmouth Reserve until her completion of high school. In 2010, Battiste moved to Halifax where she attended Saint Mary's University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Psychology. In her final year of school, she started working as an Aboriginal Student Advisor, a role in which she helped her community's students navigate the ups and downs of university.

During this time, she became involved in the Loretta Saunders case. Saunders, was an Indigenous student who was working on a master's thesis on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman. This thesis included the story of Anna Mae Aquah, Battiste's grandmother's best friend. "Loretta has caused a huge, much needed shift at Saint Mary's University and in my personal life". Natteal used this momentum to become a key organizer of Loretta's memorial, started up the Aboriginal Student Society, and hosted Saint Mary's first ever sacred fire and tobacco offering ceremony for thousands of Saint Mary's students to participate in.

Since graduating, Natteal continues to give back to the community through a variety of channels, including through work, boxing with Tribal Boxing Gym, volunteering, and being a part of two non-for-profit organizations called Strive to Reach Association and the Lighthouse Association. Battiste understands the importance of basic financial management and the lack of education opportunities our communities are faced with, "so as I learn, I teach back to my people."

I look forward to the journey as serving as Councillor for our Wasoqopa’q First Nation Community, and blending together my entire background and connections to give back to our people in a meaningful way.

Rachel and family resides in Greenville Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. She is a mother of two children and grandmother of three, also is the fourth youngest sibling of 16. Rachel's mother was the most important role model in her adult life. She attended Yarmouth High School and also completed management training in 1997. Previous to becoming councilor she was the first manager hired by Wasoqopa’q First Nation in January 1997 to Your Winners World AFN, she also managed Winners Corner and AFN Entertainment Center she was employed for 18 years. Your Winners Worlds brought her the most passion and pride, as it was Wasoqopa’q First Nation’s first retail business. It was the most successful and eventually grew into a multimillion-dollar retail giant for which she is very proud. She was previously employed for 3 years on reserve by privately owned and operated SAV Enterprise.

Rachel was elected to Wasoqopa’q First Nation Council on June 13,2015. With her she brings 25 years of retail experience to the Economic Development team. She strives to bring Wasoqopa’q First Nation into its’ own sustainable Nation. She is determined to work hard to unite all of Wasoqopa’q First Nation’s 6 communities together as one.

Rachel has great passion for keeping our youth, young adults and Elders physically active. If we don’t keep active that is when we start feeling negative effects on our health, that is why she encourages our members to stay active.

Rachel is honored that she is able to learn about our culture through her work as councilor of Wasoqopa’q First Nation and is part of some amazing committees such as; Emergency Management, Rec Fund, Rose Purdy Recreation & Community Centre, Harvest Feast, AFN Language Committee, and Mi’kmaq Summer games.

“love the world as your own self, then you can truly care for all things."