Ruth is a proud Mi’kmaq woman from Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick, the largest Mi’kmaq community in the province. She brings over 40 years of experience in social work, grounded in Mi’kmaq knowledge and culture. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work in 1989 and later completed a Master of Social Work in 2003 with a focus on community development.
Ruth is fluent in the Mi’kmaq language, and her work is guided by the values, traditions, and community-based approaches that have sustained Mi’kmaq communities for generations. Alongside this foundation, she has developed extensive knowledge around colonial systems, including decades of working with federal departments such as Indigenous Services Canada and navigating policies and frameworks that impact First Nation communities.
Throughout her career, Ruth has gained broad experience across multiple sectors, including Child and Family Services, Justice, Economic Development, Sports and Recreation, and Social Development, allowing her to bridge community priorities with institutional systems while following a holistic approach.
Ruth began her work with the Mi’kmaq-Wolastoqiyik Social Development Support Lodge in 2016 as a Project Researcher and Coordinator supporting the “Social Reform”, and in 2022 she was appointed as the Executive Director when the organization opened its doors.
In her current role, Ruth works closely with 15 Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqey Chiefs in New Brunswick, supporting their collective vision to advance the Social Reform that reflects the priorities, governance, and laws of the Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqey communities. Her leadership focuses on shifting social development systems away from federally designed approaches and toward community-driven models that better support wellbeing, dignity, and self-determination of First Nations peoples.