Returning to New Brunswick, Nicholas worked for the
Union of New Brunswick Indians, serving as its chairman of the board (1976–1980) and president (1980–1988). Selected as chair of the Native Studies program at
St. Thomas University, he has lectured part time. Nicholas was appointed as a provincial court judge in 1991, but not the first aboriginal to be selected for the position in Atlantic Canada (see, James Igloliorte, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL, 1980–81). He has worked for justice for First Nations and other peoples, particularly in the area of logging rights. He served a five-year term. He succeeded
Herménégilde Chiasson, the poet and philosopher, on September 30, 2009. ==Honours==