Lennox Island Chief Darlene Bernard is retiring after nearly 20 years in position

After nearly two decades in leadership, Chief of Lennox Island First Nation Darlene Bernard is stepping down.

In a letter to her community this week, Bernard said she will not seek re-election, calling it "one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make."

She first served as chief from 2001 to 2013, then returned to the role six years ago.

"I see so many great things happening and I've been leading the charge. It's almost heartbreaking to say, oh, you know, you've got to let go all that kind of stuff," she told CBC News.

"It was hard for me to walk away from a leadership role because… you become who you are. Like, you know, you're the chief, you're the leader, and it becomes your life."

Bernard said community members have trusted her to help them with their concerns and issues over the years. But she acknowledged that after all this time, the weight of leadership has become "a really heavy load" — especially through recent challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, damage from post-tropical storms, and the ongoing work to implement and protect treaty rights.

"I see lots of future leaders all around me, and I feel confident that I can pass the torch, and the work that I've done will continue to move forward," she said.

Bernard will remain in office until a new chief is elected. The band's election is scheduled for June 14.

Bernard said she feels this is the right moment to step down because she has accomplished the goals she set out during her most recent term.

That includes building strong relationships with governments, which helped lead to the development of the Pituamkek National Park Reserve located a chain of islands off the province's North Shore.

Along with Abegweit First Nation Chief Junior Gould, Bernard signed an agreement with Parks Canada last summer for co-governance of the Pituamkek National Park Reserve, following nearly two decades of negotiations.

"We secured a brand-new wharf, a fire hall," Bernard added. We're working on our bridge and we brought in all kinds of homes and all these great things."

She also mentioned her work with L'nuey, the organization representing the Island's two First Nations, as a key accomplishment.

"We've done such great work to help all Islanders, all Epekwitnewaq have a better understanding of treaty rights and that we're here, we have a shared history together and that together, we can reach reconciliation," she said.