First Nation prides itself on sharing culture and community in meaningful ways
By Sam Laskaris
MISSISSAUGAS OF SCUGOG ISLAND FIRST NATION – Chief Kelly LaRocca of Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN) likes to think of her First Nation as much more than just a destination.
“It is a place where culture and community are shared in meaningful ways, whether through annual celebrations, local businesses, outdoor spaces, or nearby attractions that help tell the broader story of Scugog Island and the surrounding area,” said Chief LaRocca.
MSIFN is located near the Durham Region town of Port Perry, on Scugog Island. It is one of 39 First Nations in the province that make up Anishinabek Nation, which is comprised of four regional areas.
MSIFN is one of eight First Nations in Anishinabek Nation’s Southeast Region.
A popular Durham Region destination is The Great Blue Heron Casino & Hotel, which is owned by the First Nation.
The facility includes 116 hotel rooms and its casino floor features numerous slot machines and table games. Various meeting spaces and gathering places, including the Nest Event Centre which hosts live entertainment, are also spread throughout the venue.
“It provides visitors with a full destination experience while contributing to MSIFN’s economic development,” Chief LaRocca said of the facility, which opened in 1997.
A pair of companies, Minogi Corporation and Noozhoo Nokiiyan Limited Partnership, are among those leading the charge for the First Nation’s economic development.
“The Nation is advancing clean energy, real estate, construction, and business partnerships that support long-term opportunities for the community and contribute to economic growth across Ontario,” Chief LaRocca said.
MSIFN is also benefitting from an innovation and training centre being operated by another First Nations-owned company, Voyageur Services Limited., which provides services to the province’s infrastructure and clean energy industries.
“MSIFN is creating space for entrepreneurs, professionals, and skilled trades development,” Chief LaRocca said. “Located near major transportation and investment corridors, these initiatives position MSIFN to participate in regional growth in clean energy, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.”
MSIFN’s community garden, which is a member-led project, is also gaining some recognition.
Chief LaRocca had thought about launching a community garden shortly after she was first elected as the First Nation’s chief in 2013. But it did not become a reality until this decade, early on during the COVID-19 pandemic when MSIFN made a food security commitment to its members.
“Rooted in connection to the land, food security, and wellness, it provides a shared space for learning, planting, harvesting, and strengthening community connections,” Chief LaRocca said of MSIFN’s garden.
The First Nation is also boosting its food sovereignty goals via its maple sugar bush and cattle raising programs. Combined with the community garden, the First Nation’s goals of food sovereignty have greatly improved.
MSIFN also owns Seven Mile Island. This property, adjacent to the First Nation, has picturesque waterfront views and is home to various wildlife, flora, and fauna.
“Though these lands are not yet open to the public, we hope one day for it to become a focal point for cultural reclamation and land-based learning,” Chief LaRocca said.
Chief LaRocca also likes to boast about a pair of other projects her First Nation completed in recent years. A clean drinking water system was finalized in 2021 and three years later a wastewater expansion initiative was finished.
“MSIFN members and businesses can enjoy reliable infrastructure service all towards the goal of human health and wellbeing and healthy lands and waters,” she said. “This has been a significant achievement for MSIFN, and we couldn’t be prouder to have shown our commitment to our people and to Lake Scugog.”