Dr. Chief Mi'sel Joe
Miawpukek Mi'kamawey Mawi'omi - Conne River Mi’kmaq Tribal Nation

Dr. Chief Mi’sel Joe comes from a long line of saqamaws or chiefs in the Mi’kmaq territory. Chief Joe was educated in Mi’kmaq traditions. After having left the reserve as a young man, he returned in 1973 and became involved in band government politics, first as a councilor, then as a traditional saqamaw and the Newfoundland district chief for the Mi’kmaq Grand Council.

Mi'sel was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, by Memorial University of Newfoundland & Labrador in 2004, in recognition of Mi'sel’s contribution to the economic, social and political development of the Mi’kmaq people of Newfoundland & Labrador.

He is a member of the Atlantic Policy Congress, the First Nations Trust Fund, Newfoundland Museum Advisory Committee, Ulnooweg Development Group Ltd and the Aboriginal Capacity and Development Research Centre. He also holds a community seat at the United Nations (Human Rights).

He has led his community through isolation and poverty to prosperity. In the 1980’s he was part of the team that fought for and won recognition from the federal government as a status band under the Indian act.  Several successes over the years have brought economic wealth to this small community with their fishing industry and gas bar to name a few.