Investing in the Future of Abegweit First Nation

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Tyler Gould is a proud member of Abegweit First Nation and a purpose-driven leader dedicated to building sustainable, community-focused initiatives that create meaningful impact. With an MBA from Laurentian University and a BBA from the University of Prince Edward Island, Tyler began his professional career in consulting and advisory, working with MacPherson Roche Smith and Grant Thornton on a wide variety of client-centered projects. Shortly thereafter, he supported the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI in business development and social enterprise initiatives.

In 2020, Tyler returned home to his community as Director of Economic Development at Abegweit First Nation, where he has led transformational initiatives including the construction of the Abegweit Connects business center, major transportation and infrastructure projects, and a net-zero, multi-use community recreation facility currently in progress. Most recently, he helped found Abegweit Development Inc. to advance economic self-sufficiency and generate sustainable revenue, serving as Acting CEO before being formally appointed CEO by the Board in 2025.

Beyond his work with Abegweit First Nation, Tyler contributes to Indigenous and regional economic development as Vice-Chair of the Indigenous Tourism Association of PEI, Co-Chair of ISC’s Atlantic Economic Development Advisory Committee, and as an appointed member of the PEI Rural Communities Council. He also teaches Indigenous Tourism at Mount Saint Vincent University and is a member of the Indigenous Leadership Circle, reflecting his commitment to fostering leadership, economic growth, and cultural sustainability in Indigenous communities.

Tyler’s personal philosophy is simple: true sovereignty is rooted in strong, self-sustaining local economies — a principle the Mi’kmaq have practiced for thousands of years and that can now be strengthened through modern, innovative approaches, including strategic engagement with corporate Canada. This belief guides how he leads, collaborates, and builds with others.

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Chelsey Compton supports strategic initiatives that strengthen community capacity and contribute to sustainable socioeconomic development. Her work is guided by a commitment to people, continuous learning, and the long‑term well‑being of the community.

Chelsey brings a strong academic foundation, holding a BBA from the University of Prince Edward Island and is currently pursuing an MBA with a concentration in Global Leadership. This blend of business training and global leadership development enhances her ability to support the economic priorities of Abegweit Firs Nation.

She comes to Abegweit with extensive experience in workforce development, having worked closely with employers, job seekers, and industry partners across Prince Edward Island. Her work has focused on labour‑market research, talent strategies, and employer engagement, helping organizations navigate recruitment challenges, strengthen retention, and build resilient teams. She has supported job seekers in identifying meaningful career pathways while helping employers adapt to shifting labour‑market conditions, always with a clear understanding of the broader economic implications.

Her background includes research and policy work with the Department of Justice and Public Safety, where she contributed to strategic initiatives requiring strong analytical thinking, data‑driven decision‑making, and cross‑departmental collaboration. This experience deepened her ability to assess complex issues, develop evidence‑based recommendations, and support long‑term planning. All skills she now applies to community‑focused projects with Abegweit.

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Lydia Affleck supports strategic initiatives that strengthen community capacity, advance
long-term economic opportunities, and contribute to sustainable development. Her work is grounded in a commitment to collaboration, respectful partnerships, and creating pathways that support the well-being of Indigenous communities.

Lydia brings a strong foundation in business, holding a Business Administration diploma
from Holland College and a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in
Management from Mount Saint Vincent University, completed while working full-time. She has also completed professional development in human resource management and project management, further enhancing her ability to lead complex initiatives and support organizational growth.

She comes to this work with extensive experience in finance, bookkeeping, and operational leadership. Lydia spent fourteen years with the Morell Consumers
Cooperative, where she managed full cycle financial operations, supported staff, and navigated the organization through several periods of significant change. This included guiding the Coop through the sudden receivership of its major supplier and the subsequent acquisition by the Empire Group (Sobeys), a transition that required careful
financial monitoring, contract adjustments, and operational adaptation. She also helped
lead the retail store through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. These experiences strengthened her skills in crisis response, operational strategy, supplier relationship management, and community focused service delivery. Her public sector roles as Finance Clerk and Senior Finance Clerk further deepened her understanding of financial accountability, budgeting frameworks, and transparent decision making.

Lydia’s work with Abegweit First Nation began in 2021 through a Middle Management Mentorship Program, where she supported community members in developing supervisory and management skills for emerging community owned businesses. She also partnered closely with the economic development team on capital projects, business evaluations, and long-term planning-experience that sparked her passion for Indigenous partnership development and collaborative economic strategies.

She continued this work at the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI starting in 2023, where she
supported workforce development initiatives in tourism, hospitality, and construction for Abegweit First Nation. Throughout her role, she worked to build strong relationships, help secure funding opportunities, and advance strategic community priorities. These experiences have strengthened her ability to understand complex economic landscapes, support capacity building, and contribute to community driven development.

Lydia now applies her combined strengths in finance, strategy, project coordination, and
Indigenous partnership development to initiatives that help communities grow, plan for
the future, and build sustainable local opportunities.

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Shana Morrison‑Wood is an operations and executive support professional at Abegweit Development Inc., where she plays a trusted role in enabling strong leadership, effective collaboration, and long‑term community growth. A proud Mi’kmaq band member from Abegweit First Nation, Shana is guided by a deep commitment to reconnecting with her culture, language, and community – work that holds personal significance as someone who grew up off‑reserve and is now actively learning the Mi’kmaw language.

With more than ten years of experience across corporate finance, insurance, public service, wholesale distribution, and community‑based organizations, Shana brings a rare blend of strategic insight, operational depth, and people‑centred leadership support. She has worked in fast‑paced and highly regulated environments, supporting executive and Board teams while strengthening the systems that enable clear decision‑making and organizational stability. She is known for bringing clarity to complexity and building structure that allows important work to move forward.

Shana has built a reputation as a thoughtful problem‑solver and system‑builder with a strong eye for both the big picture and the details that sustain it. She has supported leadership through periods of growth and transition, strengthened administrative and financial processes, and transformed unstructured workflows into reliable, well‑functioning systems. Her approach is grounded in the belief that strong processes create space for people to lead effectively.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in History and Psychology from the University of Prince Edward Island. Driven, collaborative, and creative by nature, Shana is motivated by meaningful work, continuous learning, and contributing to initiatives that build community capacity and long‑term sustainability. Outside of work, she finds inspiration in painting, interior design, woodworking projects, and time spent in nature – interests that reflect her love for building thoughtful, supportive spaces.