Our Team

Tyler Gould

Director of Economic Development

As a proud member of Abegweit First Nation, Tyler serves his community of Abegweit as the Director of Economic Development. In this role, Tyler has managed multiple capital projects and strategic initiatives for the community, supporting Abegweit through a significant period of socioeconomic growth. Prior to joining Abegweit, Tyler spent several years in the private sector providing consulting services to public and private-sector clients, specializing in project management, business planning, strategy, and feasibility analysis. As a consultant, Tyler has worked with government agencies, municipalities, First Nation communities, tribal councils, SMEs, social enterprises, entrepreneurs, and Canadian newcomers; helping clients meet and exceed their business development objectives. In addition to his duties at Abegweit, Tyler co-chairs the Indigenous Tourism Association of PEI, co-chairs Indigenous Services Canada’s Atlantic Economic Development Advisory Committee, and is an appointed member of the Rural Communities Council.

Tyler holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Prince Edward Island and a Master of Business Administration degree from Laurentian University. When not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife Shannelle and son Arlo while taking in PEI’s stunning coastal beauty, rich culinary, and world-class entrainment!

Chief Roderick “Junior” Gould

Chief Gould is a passionate Mi’kmaq leader who commenced his third term as Chief in May of 2023. A family-man that cherishes his wife, four children, and eight grandchildren, Chief Gould carries on the traditional teachings of his father as a pipe carrier and sundancer. His traditional teachings form the basis of his passion for his people as he strives to make meaningful and positive change for his community. As a leader, Chief Gould provides varying perspectives and experiences. He was a proud captain of one of the community’s fishing vessels for twelve years, a Tribal Police Officer, an RCMP Auxiliary Officer, and spent several years in construction and trades.

Since 2019, in his dual role as Chief and Band Administrator, Chief Gould has led the community through a robust period of growth, including: the formation of an Abegweit First Nation construction team; the construction of a new multiuse commercial building on the Scotchfort Reserve; the construction of new residential units in the community, including passive solar units; the construction of a new early learning centre; the development of a new community cemetery and healing garden; the formation of public and private sector partnerships; the development of new tourism products and experiences; significant infrastructure upgrades, including a seven-million-dollar active transportation network; and the expansion of successful existing businesses.

Chief Gould also sits on the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils – which leads the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI and L’nuey – and was one of the key Chiefs in the Charter Renewal for the Assembly of First Nations. Further, Chief Gould was successful in securing a regional chief’s office for Prince Edward Island, and now serves as the Regional Chief for the province. He also served on the board of the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority and the Atlantic Health Partnership. Prior to this, he was President of Aboriginal Survivors for Healing (ASH), which was focused on reconciliation for Residential School Survivors.

An avid supporter of athletics, Chief Gould is also a strong athlete, coach, player, and volunteer within the sports of hockey and fastball for the past thirty years. His passion for sport is one of the reasons he helped develop the Aboriginal Sports Circle, which is still thriving today, and involved him in the partnership with the Toronto Blue Jays Care Foundation to build a new baseball field in his community.

Chief Gould is a man of great heart, passion, and dedication. He applies himself whole-heartedly as he consistently endeavours to make improvements for his community, with focuses on economic development, job creation, housing, health and wellness, and government-to-government reconciliation.

Councillor Chris Jadis

Councillor Chris Jadis is a committed and hardworking member of Abegweit First Nation, commencing his second term as a councillor in May of 2023. He believes strongly in the community that he comes from, which allows him to keep everyone in his mind and heart as he continuously works to ensure a healthy and prosperous future for Abegweit. 

After two years of university, Chris started work as a crab fisherman and has continued in that line of work for over 15 years. In 2008, he started his own private-sector construction company which he operated for several years. Currently, he serves as the Director of Housing and Infrastructure for Abegweit. In this role, Chris oversees all residential construction, repair and retrofit work in the community. Further, Chris is leading and developing an all-Indigenous construction team within the community, providing on-the-job training to over 10 Indigenous youth in all areas of residential construction. Chris is also highly involved on all non-residential development projects and has provided the Band with invaluable insight over the years on all thing’s construction and project management. 

His belief in himself, his family, and his community are evident in the life that he shares with his loving wife, their amazing daughter, and his extraordinary nephew. When he’s not working, he enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his family.

Councillor Sheri Bernard

Councillor Sheri Bernard is a passionate member of Abegweit First Nation, commencing her second term as a councillor in May of 2023.

With a Bachelor of Arts from UPEI and several professional certificates, Sherri has a diverse professional background that includes holding the position of Coordinator for the Indigenous Justice Program and working in MCPEI’s Intergovernmental Office. Throughout her professional, educational, and personal experiences, Sheri’s goal has always been to work for her community, as she is drawn toward the personal and cultural connections at the grassroots level.

When Sheri isn’t working, you may find her pursuing her passions by volunteering with the Charlottetown Soup Kitchen, connecting with her community and elders, finding enjoyable ways to be active, sharing culture, or spending time with her friends and family.

Councillor Jacob Jadis

Councillor Jacob Jadis is a proud Mi’kmaq father and member of the Abegweit First Nation who grew up and resides in the community of Scotchfort. Jacob graduated with a diploma in Information Systems Management from the Nova Scotia Institute of Technology in 2003. After spending a few years in the field, he became an entrepreneur and operated an IT supply business for 12 years. Jacob then accepted a management position with Abegweit First Nation in 2012, helping improve an out-dated water system with modern infrastructure and technology. Recently, Jacob graduated Indigenous Clean Energy’s 20/20 Catalyst Program and following his graduation started as new position with the Abegweit as an Energy Coordinator. In this role, Jacob is helping the community with all its clean and renewable-energy initiatives. 

When he’s not dedicating himself to his community, career, and educational aspirations, Jacob loves spending time with his lovely wife Amber and his two wonderful children Ellen and Clark. 

Olive Crane

Director of Operations

Olive has over thirty years of work experience in the public and private sectors. Notably, she worked for AVC Inc. (former private-sector arm of the University of Prince Edward Island and the Atlantic Veterinary School) and was elected for nine years as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, spending a number of those years (2007 to 2013) as leader of the official opposition. A community developer at heart, Olive has worked to a establish a thriving wild blueberry industry in the province including building a state-of-the-art food processing facility for wild blueberries. She also negotiated, as part of a senior team, a federal-provincial agreement for the Community Access Program; she re-engineered the provincial social assistance program; and has worked on a variety of special projects, including Biodiesel and organic farming initiatives that connected farmers, stakeholders, and government. Olive’s focus at AVC Inc. was to work with First Nation communities to offer an array of services from aquaculture training to fishery management plans.

Olive joined Abegweit in January 2018 and she has been an invaluable resource to the community ever since. Her breadth of knowledge and experience, especially in intergovernmental affairs, and diverse skill set has helped the community grow at a tremendous pace. Olive’s three children grew up, went to school, and played sports with many of the young people from the community – so she always had a connection to Abegweit and its people, and is proud to work within the community. Outside of work, you might find Olive reading, catching up on some Netflix, enjoying time with family, and showering her granddaughter with love and affection.

Tyrone Paul

Director of Natural Resources

Tyrone is very proud to be working with the Abegweit First Nation as the Director of Natural Resources, having started with Abegweit in January of 2020.

He brings a very diverse professional background and considerable experience to the Natural Resources Department (“NeRD”) Team. Through his past involvement in the private, non-profit, provincial, and federal government sectors, Tyrone applies a strategic and multidisciplinary view to the work he does while keeping in line with his traditional upbringing, teachings, and values.

When he’s not busy writing, strategizing, helping a team member, or otherwise creating for the greater professional good, you can find him laughing with someone nearby, cooking at home for his lovely wife, and having deep, philosophical conversations with his two dogs when he’s sure no one is listening in.

Sarah Doyle

Senior Operations Officer

Sarah Doyle CPA, CA has been with the Abegweit First Nation since April 2019. In her role as Senior Operations Officer, she is responsible for all finance and human resources for the Band and its businesses. Sarah and her team of four handle all daily financial operations of the Band as well as assist with funding applications and reporting. Sarah prepares the Band’s consolidated financial statements for the annual audit as well as annual budgets and quarterly reporting to Band council. Sarah is leading the process of the Band enacting its own Financial Administration Law and is currently updating all policies and procedures to coincide with the law.

Prior to joining Abegweit First Nation, Sarah was an Audit Senior Manager with Grant Thornton. During her ten-plus years at Grant Thornton, Sarah was the lead auditor on all municipal audits performed by the firm including the City of Summerside, Town of Stratford, Town of Montague and several other not-for-profits including UPEI and CMHA. Sarah also managed the small business practice and personal tax practice in the Montague office.

If you were to ask Sarah what she does every day, she would respond with “whatever the day requires”. When Sarah is not busy at work, she enjoys keeping busy with her two children. She is active in sports in the Montague area, coaching Ringette and being the treasurer of several organizations. Sarah also volunteers with CPA PEI’s Financial Literacy program and is passionate about educating everyone, from students to seniors, about the importance of financial literacy. She enjoys gardening, boating, the beach in summer, and you might find her snowshoeing around Scotchfort on her lunch break in the winter!

Gerard Gould

Director of Health

Gerard Gould is a father of twin boys and is happily married to his wife Tara. Born on PEI and raised in Scotchfort with his siblings, he grew up with very loving parents that taught him a multitude of values that continue to ring true today.

Gerard has been the health director for Abegweit First Nation since 2004 and still passionately enjoys his job, twenty years and counting. During this time, he has been heavily involved with numerous programs and projects, working diligently toward increasing health services, and creating positions for qualified community members. Yet, the ultimate accomplishment that he is most proud of is getting Abegweit First Nation health services Nationally Accredited with Accreditation Canada, which has allowed for and created numerous advantages to further build upon and promote pride within the community.

When he’s not dedicating himself to community health, Gerard’s personal enjoyment comes from raising and spending time with his children.

Mary Ellen Knockwood

Chief’s Executive Assistant

Mary Ellen Knockwood has been an employee with Abegweit First Nation for over 30 years. During this time, she has had many roles, from grass cutter and elder caregiver to teaching assistant and Finance Director. Most recently, Mary has moved into the position of Executive Assistant to the Chief. In this role, Mary helps the Chief with the management and coordination of office duties including making travel arrangements, organizing events, scheduling meetings, and answering phone calls.

Mary cares deeply for her First Nation community and wants to see the community thrive. Her belief in the community provides her with a passion that drives her in her professional roles and further compels her to get involved in community events – such as cooking for the powwow.

When Mary isn’t busy in the community, she enjoys spending time with her four grandchildren, gardening, swimming, reading her bible, or working on a jigsaw puzzle.

Councillor Sheri Bernard

Councillor Sheri Bernard is an impassioned member of the Abegweit First Nation, commencing her first term as a councillor in June of 2019.

With a Bachelor of Arts from UPEI and a number of certificates, she has a varied professional background that includes holding the position as the Coordinator for the Indigenous Justice Program and prior involvement in the Intergovernmental Office at MCPEI.

Throughout all of her professional, educational, and personal experiences, Sheri has strived toward the ultimate goal of engaging and being involved in her community. In any role she finds herself in, she is drawn toward the personal interactions and cultural connection that the grassroots community offers like no other.

When Sheri isn’t working, you may find her pursuing her passions by volunteering with the Charlottetown Soup Kitchen, connecting with her community and elders, finding enjoyable ways to be active, sharing some culture, or spending time with her friends and family.

Billy Knockwood

Director of Finance

Billy Knockwood is an L’nu of Abegweit First Nation who received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2017. Billy joined the Abegweit First Nation team in January of 2023 after working with the Government of Canada for over 6 years. He currently serves as the Director of Finance where he plays a leadership role in supporting the Band’s long-term financial health and growth. Aside from his role with Abegweit, Billy is also a Captain in the Canadian Armed Forces working as a Supply Officer with the 60 Confederation Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in Charlottetown. Billy brings his experience in leadership, human resources, payroll, and workload management with him to his role with Abegweit.

When not at work or volunteering with the cadet program, Billy enjoys spending time with his son Henry, wife Kassandra, and can also be found tinkering with his computer. Billy’s interests can be broken down into three C’s: cars, computers, coffee (CCC).