Justice Gruben is the new chief of Bilijk, also known as Kingsclear First Nation, which makes him the youngest elected chief currently serving in New Brunswick at 28-years-old.

Gruben grew up in the community and is hoping to invoke change for those living there now and generations to come.

“I feel like my experience of growing up in community really shaped who I am … and that’s what ultimately guided me to be where I am today,” Gruben said.

He said years of university made him want to affect positive change because he was learning about social issues which he then saw reflected in his community.

Gruben completed a bachelor of arts at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia and a master of social work degree at the University of Toronto. Before becoming chief, Gruben was working as a social worker with young adults.

Becoming a father also put Gruben on the path to running for chief. His two-year-old daughter is part of the next generation that he wants to make changes for.

Since being elected in February, Gruben already wants to take action on problems he has identified in his community.

“I feel like within the system that we live in, … it’s impacted us in a profound way and we see that reflected in our language systems and our ways of interacting and being with each other,” Gruben said.

“It’s been fragmented.”

He wants to work toward bringing the community closer with a focus on healing and kinship. He thinks the sweat lodge could be a part of this goal.

As much as it’s a physical structure, Gruben said the sweat lodge connects people with their family, friends and the land.

Gruben said council just signed a resolution to move forward with plans to build a 30,000-square-foot youth and community centre as well.

He also said people in the community are concerned about their safety and their living situations, and there are issues with the housing supply.

Still, he acknowledged that great work was done by former leadership under outgoing Chief Gabriel Atwin.

“I just think there’s such a demand and need,” Gruben said.

Gruben is optimistic about addressing these problems alongside his council, which he said is a blend of some young members and more seasoned members.

Keyaira Gruben, Amanda Morgan-Polchies, Charlee Narvey, Amy Polchies, Patrick Polchies and Derek James Solomon were all re-elected to council, according to Bilijk’s band administration Facebook page.

Dylan Sacobie, Amber Solomon, Desiree Solomon and Terry David Young were also elected.

‘A big honour’

In response to Gruben’s election, Chief Terry Richardson of Pabineau First Nation said being elected as chief is “a big honour” and it shows the community has put their trust in you.

“You’re the captain of the ship, but it’s a team effort,” Richardson said. “It takes more than one person to build the community.”

He has been Pabineau’s chief for six years after serving eight years on council.

Richardson hasn’t talked to Gruben yet but he looks forward to working with him on provincial issues. He added that if Gruben ever needs a sounding board, he’s available along with several other chiefs in the province.

“We all want the same as First Nation leaders — we want our communities to prosper, we want the province to prosper because if the province prospers, we prosper.”