Dan Christmas Takes on Role as Partnership Chair
As of October 1, 2009, Dan Christmas, Senior Advisor to Membertou First Nation, has taken on the role of Chair of the Board of Directors for the Cape Breton Partnership.
Dan has served in various leadership positions in the Mi'kmaw Nation in Nova Scotia. After serving five years as the Band Manager for the Community of Membertou, Dan worked for the Union of Nova Scotia Indians for 15 years - the last 10 as its Director. Since 1997, he has held the position of Senior Advisor with Membertou and has assisted its leadership in developing a number of successful businesses including the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, Membertou Market, Membertou Gaming Commission and the Membertou Entertainment Centre.
"Dan Christmas will make a terrific Chair of the Board for the Partnership," said Keith MacDonald, Executive Director of the Cape Breton Partnership. "His business experience, strong connections, and his overall leadership qualities, along with his vision for the Partnership will truly make him an asset to us."
Dan has been active in a number of international, national, provincial and local agencies in a wide range of fields, including aboriginal & treaty rights, justice, policing, education, health care, human rights, adult training, business development and the environment. He has served as the past Executive Chairperson of the Union of Nova Scotia Indians and is now serving his seventh consecutive term as an elective councillor for the Community of Membertou.
"I believe the position as Chair of the Board of Directors with the Cape Breton Partnership will prove to be both challenging and fulfilling," said Dan. "I feel very strongly about issues such as youth retention and increasing investment and business in Cape Breton. These are issues the Partnership also cares deeply about and so I think this year there will be a strong focus on those prominent issues, among others."
Dan takes over for Past Chair of the Board of Directors, Bert Lewis who completed his term as Chair on October 1.
