Atlantic Region Biographies

Ian Gray
Regional Director General

Ian Gray has served the Department in a number of capacities over the years. He began his career in 1989 with INAC Legal Services in Headquarters. After serving as Legal Counsel with Specific Claims West in Vancouver from 1992 to 1995, Mr. Gray returned to INAC Headquarters and in 1996 became a Senior Negotiator with the Specific Claims Branch. He provided legal advice on the implementation of Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement and was lead negotiator on the Loon River First Nation Treaty Adhesion Settlement. He became Acting Director of Negotiations in 1999.

In 2000, Mr. Gray transferred to Atlantic Region as Director of the Newfoundland Labrador Secretariat. In this capacity, he held the INAC lead for developing and managing the Labrador Innu Comprehensive Healing Strategy including the relocation of the Mushuau Innu from Davis Inlet to Natuashish in December 2002. Following successful French language training and an assignment as Associate Regional Director General, Mr. Gray was appointed Regional Director General on September 4, 2007.

Mr. Gray originates from Creston, British Columbia and received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Calgary and law degree from the University of Ottawa.

Mr. Gray resides in Moncton with his wife Natalie and seven children.

Dougal MacDonald
Associate Regional Director General

Dougal MacDonald first joined the federal government in 1982, through the Financial Officers Recruitment and Development Program (FORD).

Following several years with Parks Canada in Hull, Quebec and its regional office in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he joined Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada in 1988. Over the past 18 years, Dougal has worked with the Atlantic Regional Office in a number of capacities, including Director of Corporate Services and Director of Funding Services. He was appointed to the position of Associate Regional Director General in March 2003.

Following his return from French language training, Mr. MacDonald acted as Regional Director General from November 2006 to September 2007 before returning to his position of Associate Regional Director General.