Threats over treaty settlement plans shut down band office in Mississauga First Nation

The chief of Mississauga First Nation says a small number of people have made threats that necessitated the closure of its band office in recent days.

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 the First Nation's Facebook page on Wednesday.

In an interview on Friday, Chief Brent Niganobe said police had informed council about threats that had been received from a small number of people.

"We were told there was a there was going to be a peaceful protest, however the police informed us that an individual had made a threat that they were going to remove property and occupy the band office," said Niganobe. "The reason why the band office was closed — that came from the police. That didn't come from us."

"It's not the majority of people by any means, but of course the most vocal people — in this day and age we're in now — it's somehow acceptable to yell and put people down," he added. "I don't think that will ever be acceptable and I don't think people would ever be in favour of that."

Niganobe said the safety of staff and residents is paramount and there were concerns about the safety of private information, including medical records, that are kept in the band office. 

Along with the band office, the First Nation's day camps and food bank are also closed until further notice.

"It's getting to be out of hand and hence why we closed Thursday and Friday," said Niganobe. "It's unfair because those services are for vulnerable people."

"It's just sad that people will do this for money, it breaks my heart," he added.

Niganobe noted that so far no money has flowed to the members or First Nation from the settlement. The first instalment will be paid to members, with a second future instalment going toward the community fund.

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

"There's certain media that's always portraying First Nation governments as corrupt and we have a clean audit every year," he said. "There's no mismanagement of money here."

He noted the band's current trust came from a previous land claim and used over the years for the common good of the community.

"When I grew up on the reserve, there was one band office — it was the bingo hall — and then there was an education on top and then there was a fire department with a daycare on top," said Niganobe.

Over the years, the First Nation has used that trust from the land claim to build a new band office, a water plant, pave roads and other improvements.

He said the community fund from the Robinson Huron Treaty settlement will set the First Nation up for future progress. 

"This is an opportunity for us to make sure that our kids are taken care of — and not just our kids, but our kids' kids' kids," he said.

Niganobe said members of his own family have also been the target of threats.

At issue with some people, said Niganobe, is the amount money that band council has decided will be put aside and used for future needs. 

"There is a community fund that we want to set aside for the community, by no means are we, as council, spending that money," he noted. "Our people are supposed to be looking ahead seven generations and that's what we're trying to do and for people to attack us personally and threats of closing down the band offices — that's not helping the situation."

Niganobe said there has been a lot of disinformation going around, including allegations that members of council will be receiving a higher settlement payout than other band members.

"Council's not making any more money. They're getting the same as everybody else. So yeah, it's just unfair the way it's been portrayed," he said.

Niganobe said there are plans in the works for the office to reopen, with information to be shared first with band members.