Director, Lands and Economic Development, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada – Atlantic Region

As a recipient of the Atlantic Conference on Public Administration Inspiration Award 2016, Belinda Smith ’s commitment to public service is nothing short of inspiring, according to Dal MPA students who have interned with Belinda. She has spent her career applying her academic interests in public administration to her passion for addressing pressing Aboriginal issues in Canada. Belinda’s stated purpose is to continually move closer to the goal of reconciliation with Aboriginal people in Canada and for Aboriginal Canadians to be accorded their rightful place in our federation and economy and their rightful share of the fiscal pie. As an alumna, Belinda has given back to the School of Public Administration in numerous ways. Over the years, she has hired interns for the Lands and Economic Development Directorate she oversees, participated in panel discussions as part of the Professional Development Program and delivered guest lectures in MPA classes. Belinda is a member of the United Way of Halifax Board of Directors and chairs the Board’s Community Impact Committee.