(Toronto, Ont. – September 4, 2026) Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict stands firmly with Mississauga First Nation following its rejection of territorial and harvesting assertions made in connection with the recent purchase of approximately 320 acres of private property along the Mississagi River by the Métis Nation of Ontario-affiliated “Huron-Superior Regional Métis Community”.
“Mississauga First Nation has spoken clearly and unequivocally about its history, its territory, and its rights,” said Ontario Regional Chief Benedict. “The Mississagi River lies within the traditional and Treaty territory of the Mississauga Anishinabek, whose relationship with these lands and waters has existed since time immemorial. I stand with Chief Brent Niganobe, Council, and the citizens of Mississauga First Nation as they defend that relationship and reject territorial assertions they maintain have no historical foundation within their lands.”
Purchasing private property does not purchase an Indigenous history. Indigenous rights are grounded in longstanding relationships with lands, waters, and territories that cannot be created through a modern real estate transaction. While colonial displacement has separated many Indigenous peoples from their lands without extinguishing those relationships, acquiring property today cannot create the historical foundation upon which an Aboriginal rights claim depends. Land can be purchased. History cannot.
Mississauga First Nation has expressly rejected the historical foundation underlying these territorial assertions, stating that no historic Métis community existed within its traditional territory capable of grounding the harvesting and territorial claims now being advanced. Aboriginal rights claims must have a historical foundation. Where that history and the geographic extent of a claimed rights-bearing community are disputed by the affected First Nation, governments must undertake rigorous historical and legal due diligence before recognizing or acting upon those claims.
This latest development cannot be viewed in isolation. First Nations across the Ontario region have repeatedly raised serious concerns regarding the Métis Nation of Ontario’s assertions of so-called “historic communities”, harvesting territories, and rights within First Nations’ territories. Those concerns have too often been minimized, ignored, or characterized as disagreements between Indigenous peoples. They are not. Assertions of historic Métis communities and traditional territories within First Nations’ lands have direct implications for First Nations’ Inherent and Treaty rights, territories, and jurisdiction.
The potential consequences extend beyond this individual land purchase. As Mississauga First Nation has warned, territorial assertions advanced today may become the basis for future assertions concerning harvesting, consultation and accommodation, lands, resources, and jurisdiction. The purchase of private lands, whether along the Mississagi River or elsewhere in Ontario, cannot be used to establish, strengthen, or legitimize a disputed historical narrative of Métis settlement or traditional territory.
First Nations should not be placed in the position of repeatedly having to defend their own histories and territories against claims that they maintain have no historical foundation. Mississauga First Nation has spoken for its lands and its history. Its position must be respected.
Chiefs of Ontario stands with Mississauga First Nation in protecting the Mississagi River, defending its Inherent and Treaty rights, and ensuring that the history and territory of the Mississauga Anishinabek cannot be rewritten, reassigned, or diminished to serve present-day claims.
Read Mississauga First Nation’s statement HERE.
For more information, visit the Chiefs of Ontario Rights Assertions webpage.
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The Chiefs of Ontario supports all First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction, and their chosen expression of nationhood. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn @ChiefsOfOntario
Media Contact:
Isak Vaillancourt, Communications Manager
Chiefs of Ontario
Telephone: 416-819-8184
Email: isak.vaillancourt@coo.org
