Chiefs

Chief David Mowat
Alderville

Photo and Bio of Chief coming soon.

Chief Emily Whetung
Curve Lake

Bio Chief coming soon.

Laurie Carr
Hiawatha

CHIEF LAURIE CARR | Chief at Hiawatha First Nation
Laurie is a Citizen of Hiawatha First Nation, and of the greater Michi Saagiig Nation. She is a mother, a grandmother, a wife, a sister, an Auntie. Laurie also currently serves her Community, as the Chief of Hiawatha. In her role as Chief, Laurie’s responsibilities include: Intergovernmental Affairs; Negotiations; Core Consultation; Legal/Financial matters; Political matters; Williams Treaties and other Treaty Relations; and Policing. Laurie is also the Chairperson for the Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services (DBCFC). Through Hiawatha’s Provincial Territorial Organization (PTO), the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI), Laurie sits on their Chief’s Council and holds the Portfolio for Social and as an alternate for the Health Portfolio. Laurie previously served on her Council from 2003 – 2010 as both a member of the Council and as Chief. In 2010, Laurie went to work for the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) which is a political forum and secretariat for collective decision-making, action, and advocacy for the 133 First Nations in Ontario. During her 6 ½ years at Chiefs of Ontario, Laurie worked as the Southern Ontario NIHB Navigator for 5 ½ years and 1 year as the Acting Social Services Director.

Reg Niganobe
Mississauga

Chief Reg Niganobe serves as the Chief of Mississauga First Nation. Chief Reg served on the elected Council since 2009, and was elected Chief in 2011.

The Chief has been a strong advocate for retaining our history and preservation of our traditional territories. He has strong ties to the community through his family and many relations, and continues to be an advocate for youth and supports their knowledge around governance, treaties, and the history of our territory.

The Chief also serves as the Chair of North Shore Tribal Council; a member of the Chiefs Committee on Governance - Union of Ontario Indians; and the Robinson Huron Treaty.

Reg lives with his wife Suzann and their two children Harry and Genieve.

R. Stacey LaForme
Mississaugas of the Credit

R. Stacey LaForme is the elected Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN). Born and raised on MCFN, Chief LaForme worked as an iron worker before being elected to council in 1999.

Chief LaForme has participated in a number of committees and boards throughout his 14 years as a Councillor including MCFN’s Pan Am Secretariat (PAGS). As chair of the PAGS committee Chief LaForme was instrumental in raising the profile of all First Nations as MCFN was recognized as the first ever, Host First Nation of the Pan/Parapan Am Games.

Chief LaForme is committed to increasing involvement and communication between council regardless of residency. His dedication to the land, history, language and culture of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation are helping guide his First Nation toward a prosperous future.

A noted author of books and poetry, one of Chief LaForme’s poems, Remember, is engraved in the Veterans Memorial, while others have been featured in the short film, Sacred Trust, and at Fort York in Toronto. He has five children and is happily married to his wife, Tara.

Kelly LaRocca
Scugog Island

Kelly LaRocca, LL.B., serves as the Chief of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. Chief LaRocca has served on the elected Council since 2008, and was elected as Chief in 2013.

Chief LaRocca also serves as the Vice Chair for the Ogemawhaj Tribal Council, is a director for Dnaagdawenmag Binoojiyag Child and Family Services, is an elected Director on the First Nations National Lands Advisory Board, and serves as a member on the Aboriginal Justice Committee for the Attorney General of Ontario.

Kelly lives with her husband Jonathan and her baby daughter Ruby in Scugog FN.