Richard Jalbert takes great pride in his Indigenous heritage and has long been committed to advancing the interests of First Nations. Holding a bachelor's and a master's degree from the Université du Québec à Rimouski, he has focused his career on improving the socio-economic conditions of Indigenous communities. Elected Chief of the Mi’gmaq Nation of Gespeg right after completing his studies, he played a key role in increasing the community’s assets from $650,000 to $7.5 million over three terms. His leadership is guided by transparency, collaboration, and adaptability. He advocates for collective interests by building strong, lasting partnerships with elected officials, Indigenous organizations, and government ministries. Mr. Jalbert has been instrumental in negotiating federal and provincial agreements, including Gespeg’s integration into the maritime industry—creating over 80 jobs—and securing agreements on traditional hunting for food and ceremonial purposes. With over a decade of experience in leadership roles at the Eastern Shores School Board and in business, he is
now the Executive Director of the First Nations Human Resources Development Commission of Quebec, where he applies his expertise to enhance the visibility and success of First Nations.
