‘We will not be sidelined by legislation,’ states Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief at ANEDO 2025
By Sam Laskaris
CHIPPEWAS OF RAMA FIRST NATION – Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige believes that First Nations have seen this story before, and she’s confident that they won’t be backing down this time either.
Debassige delivered a keynote opening address at the Anishinabek Nation Economic Development Opportunities Forum on Oct. 16. The event, which concluded Oct. 18 and was titled ANEDO 2025 for short, was held at the Casino Rama Resort in the Chippewas of Rama First Nation.
Grand Council Chief Debassige said she travelled to various First Nations throughout the province this past year.
“We witness the infrastructure gaps, the housing shortages, the strained systems, the realities our people live with every day,” she said during her address. “But we also see something else. The strength, the creativity, the dedication, and the opportunities that exist in every Nation and opportunities that exist when Nations come together.”
Grand Council Chief Debassige said it is vital that those from First Nations remember what their ancestors experienced in order to make things easier for future generations.
“We can’t forget this,” she said. “We can’t get lazy. Pre-contact, prior to colonization, our Nations had laws. Our Nations had an economy.”
While attempts were made to eliminate First Nations peoples, that never materialized.
“There is a reason why we weren’t wiped out,” she stated. “Our ancestors were strategic. They were visionaries. They were humble. They were kind. They were welcoming. And some of our people still carry those values today.”
Grand Council Chief Debassige also said that First Nations leaders and economic development officers are frequently dealing with industry partners and investors these days.
“They negotiate, they plan, they coordinate, and they implement,” she said. “They translate community vision into action.”
Grand Council Chief Debassige also said that the Anishinabek Nation’s role is to support its 39 First Nations it represents through advocacy. These Nations have not only been tested often in the past but most recently this year with the passing of the provincial Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, and the federal Bill C-5, the One Canadian Economy Act.
“First Nations were not at the table when these decisions were made,” she explained. “For years, our Nations have advanced all governance, asserted jurisdiction, and led precedent-setting work, whether through treaty agreements, equity partnership in major projects, or nationwide enterprises. Yet, with the stroke of a pen, governments have tried to recreate the old approach. Legislate first, consult later, and expect us to adjust.”
Grand Council Chief Debassige said both bills are unacceptable to First Nations.
“No First Nation would have approved the process that led to these bills,” she said. “Consultation was just plain absent, but our responses were strong, coordinated, and unapologetic.”
Grand Council Chief Debassige also believes that some First Nations are finding economic development in their communities to be challenging because people are still facing the traumas of oppression.
“Our people are afraid to lose the will that they have left because the Indian Act of every institution taught our people that, taught our people to keep each other down,” she said. “And if we want to be here in the future, we have to break away from that. We have to inspire our communities with a sense of belonging, a sense of hope, and a sense of purpose.”
Grand Council Chief Debassige also provided forum attendees with a task.
“I’m going to challenge you, whether you’re from a First Nation or a corporation or a Crown agency, to use ANEDO 2025 as more than just a networking event,” she said. “Use it to learn more about the realities of our Nations. Use it to unlearn some assumptions. Use it to build bridges instead of waiting for government direction. The path to reconciliation isn’t paved with press releases or ribbon cuttings. It’s built with Nation-to-Nation relationships.”
Grand Council Chief Debassige concluded her address by stating how proud she is of the leadership in Anishinabek Nation communities.
“We will not be sidelined by legislation,” she said. “We will not be defined by gaps. And we will not let others determine what to build in our territories.”