Candice Paul made history on July 15, 2004, as the first female Chief of St. Mary’s First Nation, serving an impressive seven terms. With over 38 years of service to the community, her roles included Band Manager for six years, Health Director for twelve years, and three terms as a Band Council member. Under her leadership, St. Mary’s became the second community in Atlantic Canada to adopt Health Transfer.
Her contributions to improving First Nations health are widely recognized. In 2006, she received the Chief Michael Augustine Award for her dedication to health advancement in Atlantic First Nation communities. She also served on the Horizon Health Board of New Brunswick for two years and represented New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island on the National Chiefs Committee on Health for over a decade. Additionally, she was a member of the National Women’s Council for the Assembly of First Nations.
Chief Paul broke barriers as the first female Co-Chair of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs Secretariat and was honored with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. She is currently a public Board member of the Nurses Association of New Brunswick and has served as the NIHB Navigator with Wolastoqey Tribal Council since May 2021.
Residing in St. Mary’s First Nation, Candice treasures time with her three grown children, seven grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
A believer in resilience, she finds inspiration in Dee Hock’s quote: “It is from failure that all growth comes, provided you can recognize it, admit it, learn from it, rise above it, and then try again. Never give up.”