Chief Deborah Robinson
Chief of Acadia First Nation, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Chief Deborah Robinson was first elected as Chief of Acadia in 1987 and has consecutively held this position since.
Growing up in Yarmouth County, Chief Robinson is the second eldest child to Mi'kmaq parents, Louis and Viola Robinson. Deeply influenced by her mother's wisdom, knowledge and political background and her late father's tenacious ethics, honesty, kindness and hard work, Chief Robinson has been an advocate for the Mi’kmaq from a very young age.
Her early political career began as Student Council President and a Mi'kmaq Youth representative for Nova Scotia, while attending junior high school. Upon graduation, Chief Robinson decided to devote her life to the plight of Native people.
Since first being elected, Chief Robinson’s community and social development have increased dramatically. Chief Robinson has always been a strong advocate for all band members, both on and off-reserve and takes great pride in the fact that she has provided services to all her people.
Chief Robinson holds the Co-Lead of the Governance, Social Assistance and the Children, Youth, Families, and Gender Diversity portfolios for the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs.