Chief & Council

Nipissing First Nation is governed by a Gimaa (Chief), an Aanke Gimaa (Deputy Chief), and six (6) E-giigdowaad (Councillors), and follows a three-year election cycle.  The elected term of the Nipissing First Nation Council is three years, beginning on the first day of August immediately after the election and ending on the last day of July, three years later.  Please refer to NFN’s Custom Election Regulations for more information.

Chief & Council 2024 – 2027 Term
Chief Cathy Bellefeuille-Stevens
Deputy Chief Brian Couchie
Councillor Rick Stevens
Councillor Joan McLeod-Shabogesic
Councillor Yvette Bellefeuille
Councillor Samantha Stevens
Councillor Priscilla Goulais
Councillor Jason Laronde

L-R: Councillors Jason Laronde, Joan McLeod-Shabogesic, and Rick Stevens, Deputy Chief Brian Couchie, Chief Cathy Bellefeuille-Stevens, and Councillors Yvette Bellefeuille, Samantha Stevens, and Priscilla Goulais.


Chief and Council Meetings

Council meetings take place on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month. NFN members can attend in person or online, through the NFN Membership Portal.

Request for Council

If you have a request for Council, please complete and submit the Chief and Council Meeting – Request Form by 4 p.m. the Thursday prior to the meeting to:

Front Reception at 36 Semo Road, Garden Village or [email protected].

Requests can also be made at the meeting. Due to the number of items for Council to deal with on the agenda, Requests from the Floor are limited to 10 minutes per request and only three will be dealt with at the meeting. It is important to note that depending on the request, the items may need to be deferred to the next meeting, if additional information is needed.

For more information, contact Freda Martel at 705-753-2050 ext. 1223 or [email protected].


Each member of Council brings a wealth of experience and education in their fields of expertise that benefits our nation through their involvement in our committee, as well as their advocacy of Nipissing First Nation through external boards and agencies.

Each member of Council strives to continue empowering our membership, protecting our inherent rights, and strengthening our reputation as a progressive and accountable nation. We foster positive relations with all levels of government, and always aim to act in the best interests of our nation and debendaagziwaad (our People, those who belong to Nipissing).

Our E-giigdowaad (Council) look forward to your continued input as we move forward with developing and implementing plans to continue enhancing the quality of life of our members. I am humbled by the support of our debendaagziwaad and staff, and honoured to serve as the Chief of Nipissing Nation.

Chi-Miigwech,

Cathy Bellefeuille-Stevens
Gimaa (Chief)


VIEW THE ELECTORAL OFFICER’S FINAL REPORT ON THE 2024 NFN ELECTION
Visit nfn.ca/election for more details.