MSIFN - Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation

🗳️The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation held our election on June 20, 2025. 🌟@MSIFN will now have 4 elected Councillors, along with our elected Chief. 🌟Returning to Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation will be Chief @KellyLaRocca01 (acclaimed), Councillors Jeff Forbes and Sylvia Coleman. 🌟We also welcome first time elected Councillor Jake Kozlinsky, and Councillor Laura Colwell, who returns to MSIFN having previously served on Council. Following the June 20th election, a swearing in ceremony was held on July 7, along with a dinner which included family and community members. @AnishNation @ChiefsofOntario @insauga @newsdurham @GlobalDurham @APTNNews

The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation - Region of Durham Bilateral Agreement is continuing to attract interest. Minogi team member Ameer Idreis was the lead author of an article that was published in the latest edition of the @cdnplanners Plan Canada Spring Edition. #durhamregion This will help planners to understand the importance of developing a relationship like the one we have with Durham. You can read "Sustainable Planning in a Good Way: Lessons from the MSIFN-Durham Bilateral Agreement" on page 37 here: kelmanonline.com/httpdocs/files…

Last week we learned that the OLG and iGaming Ontario earned a staggering $8.6 billion in combined revenue from online gaming in 2024-2025. MSFIN uses the income from Great Blue Heron Casino to provide critical services like clean drinking water to our community. We have also donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to local healthcare and education over the years. What is the Ontario government doing with the billions being earned from online gaming? Read the report here: igamingontario.ca/en/annual-repo… #Ontario #iGaming

Despite widespread opposition, the Ontario government is moving forward with plans to amalgamate 36 Conservation Authorities into 9 regional ones. Conservation authorities are responsible for managing natural resources and protecting people and property form natural hazards such as flooding and erosion. Critics are concerned that the consolidation will lose local knowledge, lower the level of service and remove protections for parks, lakes and rivers. Ontario Nature has a petition opposing the changes here: ontarionature.good.do/conservation-a… @KawarthaConserv @CLOCA_Flood @ONenvironment

Did you Know: In July 2025, @MSIFN and The Region of Durham signed a new Bilateral Agreement. By formalizing both parties’ intentions to develop strong partnerships and participate in meaningful engagement, the agreement establishes a foundation for government-to-government collaboration between MSIFN and the Region. It also upholds the principles of reconciliation and the rights of Indigenous peoples, while exploring new opportunities to advance shared goals. Three collaboration opportunities have initially been identified – ecological protection and restoration; economic development, partnerships, arts and culture; and consultation, accommodation and collaboration. Guided by a mutually developed workplan, the agreement will remain in place for a five-year term, with the opportunity for extension. You can find more details here: durham.ca/en/resources/D…

Visit the Anishinabek News Job Board for a list of current employment opportunities available within the Anishinabek Nation Territory! Application deadlines vary. Visit: anishinabeknews.ca/category/jobs/

Public health experts say they are deeply concerned about the increase in calls for help by youth, as the brain is more vulnerable to forming addictions at younger ages. The authors said online sports betting games, especially on mobile apps, are popular among boys and young men and are designed to appeal to them and keep them playing — sometimes at devastating cost to their financial, emotional and family stability. “With online gambling and the ubiquity of smartphones now, you essentially have a casino in your pocket 24/7,” said co-author Ryan Forrest, a public health doctoral student at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. In April 2022, Ontario became the only province to open a competitive private online gambling market. As of 2024, that market included 80 gaming and betting sites operated by 49 private companies, the study said. Between April 2022 and August 2025, total legal monthly wagers increased 654 per cent (from $1.08 billion to $8.1 billion), and active player accounts per 100,000 people 15 and older increased 239 per cent (from 2,157 to 7,316). In the 2023-24 fiscal year alone, $63 billion was wagered on online gambling sites through 2.1 million player accounts, a 78 per cent increase from the previous fiscal year, according to an iGaming Ontario (iGO) Annual Report. Forrest said three changes since 2022 may be contributing to more people having gambling problems. There are far more legal online options now, and there are new formats, such as live betting during sporting events, “which allows really rapid, continuous wagering.” thestar.com/news/ontario/c… @OmarMosleh @TorontoStar #Addiction #problemgambling #Youth #youngpeople #gambling

Environmental activist Mike Borie is joining a chorus of voices urging the city to stop all development proposals in northeast Pickering until a “thorough agreement” has been reach with all parties involved, including the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. @CityofPickering @glennhendry @insauga insauga.com/more-voices-sp…

'While the developer-led “city within a city” has received support at both Durham Region and Pickering councils, he said the community remains concerned that it has advanced without comprehensive analysis on hydrology, fiscal and environmental impacts. “This process not only affects future residents, but also the established communities that surround the proposed development,” he said. Abdullah Mir, Pickering resident and a member of Stop Sprawl Durham, echoed a concern raised by many that meaningful consultation is required with the Indigenous community, namely the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (@MSIFN), and that “it means actually taking their point of view into account for decisions.” '@newsdurham: durhamregion.com/news/council-w…

Please sign this petition calling on the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to adopt Bill S-2 as amended by the Senate without further delay: ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/P… For more information on Bill S-2, please visit: anishinabek.ca/departments/go…

Public health experts say they are deeply concerned about the increase in calls for help by youth, as the brain is more vulnerable to forming addictions at younger ages. The authors said online sports betting games, especially on mobile apps, are popular among boys and young men and are designed to appeal to them and keep them playing — sometimes at devastating cost to their financial, emotional and family stability. “With online gambling and the ubiquity of smartphones now, you essentially have a casino in your pocket 24/7,” said co-author Ryan Forrest, a public health doctoral student at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. In April 2022, Ontario became the only province to open a competitive private online gambling market. As of 2024, that market included 80 gaming and betting sites operated by 49 private companies, the study said. @OmarMosleh @TorontoStar #Gambling #Addiction thestar.com/news/ontario/c…

Community learning and engagement Community engagement continues alongside this work. Citizens of the four Nations will be invited to participate in learning opportunities this spring focused on Ontario’s energy system, nuclear energy and safety and what different forms of participation could mean for First Nations. These sessions are intended to support understanding, create space for questions, and ensure access to clear, accessible information. A second series of sessions may be hosted with OPG to provide project-specific information about the DNNP. We will continue to keep our communities informed and create space for learning, dialogue, and shared understanding as this work evolves. Miigwech, Chief Taynar Simpson Alderville First Nation Chief Laurie Hockaday @CurveLakeFN Chief Laurie Carr @HiawathaFN Chief Kelly LaRocca Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (@MSIFN)

WTFN Holdings has retained independent legal counsel and financial advisors to support the evaluation of a potential equity position. Directors and Nation-designated advisors continue to keep leadership informed as due diligence progresses, including independent legal advice as deemed appropriate, and working alongside consultation staff to ensure alignment with responsibilities to Land, Rights and Community interests. Our financial advisors have begun preliminary discussions with financial institutions as part of due diligence to understand how a potential equity position could be structured, financed, and appropriately safeguarded.

An update on our work related to the Darlington New Nuclear Project. As the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg Nations of the Williams Treaties First Nations, Alderville, @CurveLakeFN, @HiawathaFN and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island, we continue working together to explore economic opportunities, including potential equity participation in major energy projects. Last fall, our Nations shared that this early-stage work included exploring possible participation in the Darlington New Nuclear Project (DNNP). This update shares where the work stands today.

🌟Happy 100th Birthday to Mr. Donald Smoke, decorated WWII & Pacific Gunner Pilot who has lived a life of kindness, bravery, and service. 🌟Don is a remarkably caring and humble human being whom we hold in respect and high esteem. The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation is grateful for you! 🌟You can view some highlights from Mr. Smoke's birthday celebration, which included a flyover in honour of his service, from @APTNNews here: youtube.com/watch?v=1v7hqo…

Congratulations to @MSIFN and Voyageur Services on its continued verification in Canada's Indigenous Business Directory. x.com/MSIFN/status/2…