Threats over treaty settlement plans shut down services in Mississauga First Nation

Mississauga First Nation's chief and council cancelled a scheduled meeting on July 31 and have shut down all band operations, programs and non-essential services this week due to a "planned demonstration" over Robinson Huron settlement funds.

Chief Brent Niganobe addresses Mississauga First Nation in a video message on August 2, 2024, to explain why he & council decided to cancel a meeting & suspend services. (Mississauga First Nation/Facebook)

In a video posted to the First Nation’s social media page on Friday, Chief Brent Niganobe said that he understood that many members of the community were coming to express their opinion of the council’s approach to the distribution of funds from the $10 billion Robinson Huron Treaty settlement negotiated with 23 northern Ontario First Nations last year.

“(This) is their right to do as members of Mississauga First Nation, consistent with our tradition of open meetings,” he said.

“However, after receiving a report from our constable about a credible threat we had to make the difficult decision as an individual had directly informed our constable that their intention was to seize control of the band office, confiscate all documents and electronics and forcibly remove council from the building.”

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Niganobe added that given the individual's history and upon the recommendation of the constable and Ontario Provincial Police the band office was closed and immediate actions were taken to ensure the safety of the community.

In a statement posted to social media by the First Nation, the council said:

“This same individual has been involved in this same type of political violence in the past and so this had to be accepted as a credible threat. Based on the recommendation of the Ontario Provincial Police, immediate steps were taken to ensure the safety of our staff and community.

While these may be the words of an individual, we had to take action against the entirety of the protest. This was the rationale of the cancellation of the meeting and the closure of Mississauga First Nation Operations.”

• READ MORE: Canada and Ontario Governments reach $10-billion settlement with Robinson Huron First Nations

Band council recently resolved that registered band members would each be paid $125,000 from the Robinson Huron Treaty settlement funds for past compensation and a notice to that effect was posted to social media on Wednesday.

The Chief said since that decision was made small number of people have made threats that necessitated the closure of the band office and all non-essential services – including day camps and the food bank.

“To protect our staff and community we closed the band office and suspended non-essential services. Staff transitioned to remote work to continue essential services and security measures were heightened with the assistance of the OPP,” said Niganobe.

“All computers, windows, and doors were secured and the OPP was engaged to handle any attempts to breach security,” reads the council’s statement.

Council describes multiple incidents of “disturbing behaviour” by an individual within the community – including verbal aggression at the First Nation’s women’s shelter, a disturbance at the local day camp involving youth workers and children and an unwelcome intrusion into an elder’s home.

A clear message

“I would like to send a clear message to all of those individuals involved in these acts,” said Niganobe, in his video message.

“We will not tolerate any form of intimidation or harassment directed at people.”

Any members of the First Nation community who experience harassment are asked to report the incidents to the OPP on their non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122 or dial 911 for immediate assistance with a threat.

Settlement funds

Members of Mississauga First Nation participated in a peaceful protest on Parliament Hill on September 20, 2023. (Mississauga First Nation/Facebook)

Chief Niganobe said the issue with some community members are having is with the amount money that the band council has decided will be put aside and used for future needs.

No money has flowed to the members or First Nation from the settlement at this time. The first instalment will be paid to members later this year, with a second future installment going toward the community fund.

Council said it has not yet decided how the community fund will be used, but that will be determined through open meetings accessible by all members.

“We encourage community members to voice their concerns and share any information that may help in resolving this situation constructively,” reads council’s statement.

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Resumption of service

Programs and services are scheduled to resume Aug. 6 with additional safety measures being enforced.

Mississauga First Nation sign in June 2023. (Google Maps/Sami Khan)

Those individuals requiring the assistance of the food bank are asked to contact the First Nation’s social services director at 705-261-0371 or by email to make arrangements.

The previously scheduled open council meeting that was canceled on Wednesday will now take place as part of the next regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 14 at 6 p.m.

“We understand the impact these events may have on our community, and we are committed to ensuring your safety and well-being,” said council.

Niganobe said anyone with questions, concerns or who needs assistance in encouraged to contact himself or other members of council.