Maryse Picard

Maryse Picard has exceptional experience as both a lawyer and a manager in Indigenous law and governance. Formerly the Executive Director of the Huron-Wendat Nation and Chief of Staff to the Minister of Indigenous Affairs, her career in public service has led her to develop a specialized service offering focused on matters involving relationships with First Nations and Inuit, the sharing of constitutional powers concerning these groups, and governance within First Nations communities.

As a lawyer, and particularly through her participation in two national commissions of inquiry, Maryse has honed her skills in legal analysis, research, and both contractual and legal drafting. She is adept at providing strategic, legal, and political advice with integrity and professionalism in the highly politicized environments of First Nations, Canadian, and Quebec governments. Her expertise also includes tripartite government negotiations on funding agreements and matters related to the Indian Act.

Maryse has an extensive track record within both the Quebec and Canadian public service. She was the first Indigenous woman to be appointed Chief of Staff in the Government of Quebec. Previously, she worked as a strategic planning analyst for First Nations economic development files, and later as an advisor in the Office of the Vice-President of Special Projects at Canada Economic Development. She then served as a Governance and Community Development Advisor at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.

Throughout her career, Maryse has participated in two national commissions of inquiry. The first, as an expert, focused on the relationships between Indigenous peoples and certain public services in Quebec. The second, as a lawyer, addressed the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

Maryse has built and maintained collaborative relationships with ministries, government agencies, partner organizations, and external stakeholders, including First Nations and Inuit leaders, as well as Indigenous political and administrative bodies. She also contributed to the drafting and legislative process for two bills related to Indigenous affairs—one within the Government of Québec and the other within the Huron-Wendat Nation Council. She quickly learned to navigate highly strategic environments and developed strong decision-making skills under pressure.

Before joining Delegatus, Maryse served as Executive Director of the Huron-Wendat Nation Council for nearly four years.

• Implementing sound governance practices and leading the organizational restructuring of the Huron-Wendat Nation Council as Executive Director | 2021-2025
• Acting as expert witness in law, Commission of Inquiry on Relations Between Indigenous Peoples and Certain Public Services, authored a study outlining the historical and current legislative and regulatory frameworks at the federal and provincial levels governing Indigenous peoples in Quebec | 2017
• Acting as legal advisor to Commissioner Michèle Audette and Health Services Manager during the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls | 2018
• Negotiating the update of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, specifically the chapter on Cree policing services, as part of the “New Canada–Cree Relationship” | 2012
• Contributing to the drafting and legislative process leading to the adoption of two bills: the Act authorizing the disclosure of personal information to the families of Indigenous children who went missing or died following admission to an institution, and the Financial Administration Act of the Huron-Wendat Nation Council | 2021 and 2023