“by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin,” but it was a necessary wake-up call. Being on Council and then later serving as the Chief has been one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences of my life. Q. What is the biggest challenge as Chief? A. The biggest challenge as Chief is striking a balance between the main areas of responsibility of the job. First and foremost, the Chief is there to serve their people. This sounds very simple, but there is an overabundance of ways in which a Chief can serve her people. Through maintaining stable governance, including program and service offerings, but also through advocacy, defending culture and cultural reclamation, and by ensuring economic self-sustainability so as to enable the community to flourish for future generations. Each of these areas is complex, necessarily time-consuming, emotionally as well as physically import- ant, and requires a diverse skill set. I am committed to one day updating my job description so that we can have a discus- sion as a community about what it is that the Chief’s role actually sets out to do and to gain clarity of role and expecta- tion. I believe the Chief’s job is to strike a balance of all of these areas, knowing when to focus more on one area over another depending on community need. For Scugog, the scale has been weighted more heavily on economic development mostly because of our longstanding gam- ing issues. I’m thankful that we charted our path for gaming as a community, which allowed Council to focus our energies on clean water, the Williams Treaties and cultural resurgence. I think it is important for me to acknowledge the amazing efforts and unbelievably hard work that I see coming from the Chiefs who are serving their communities across Turtle Island. Especially the communities in the north of the province; I have noth- ing but respect for their work, having learned more over the years about the prevalent issues that are facing their communities. Q. What would you like to accomplish during your tenure as Chief? A. Clean water for the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. The implementation of the Williams Treaties settlement and the creation of a com- munity trust for our settlement proceeds. The continued reclamation of our culture and language. The final construction of our casino expansion and hotel at the Great Blue Heron. The construction of our cultural and conference centre and hotel at our Seven Mile Island property. The construction of a new Government Services Building, as well as a mixed- use facility for Elders and youth. More effective governance structures to allow for better clarity and transparency for our people. Continued marked improve- ments to community health, education rates and youth outcomes. This is just to name a few. Looks like I had better keep asking my people for their permission to continue on as Chief. It would surely be my honour and pleasure.   “I’m thankful that we charted our path for gaming as a community, which allowed Council to focus our energies on clean water, the Williams Treaties and cultural resurgence.” Wa Your Environmental Specialist in Water & Wastewater Treatment CANADIAN SHIELD CONSULTANTS AGENCY INC. CANADIAN SHIELD CONSULTANTS Toll Free: 1-866-691-0424 office@canadianshieldconsultants.com www.canadianshieldconsultants.com Your Environmental Specialist in Water & Wastewater Treatment Environmental Engineering Engineered Designs ECA Applications CANADIAN SHIELD CONSULTANTS Toll Free: 1-866-691-0424 office@canadianshieldconsultants.com www.canadianshieldconsultants.com Your Environmental Specialist in Water & Wastewater Treatment Environmental Engineering Engineered Designs ECA Applications Toll Free: 1-866-691-0424 office@canadianshieldconsultants.com | www.canadianshieldconsultants.com 877.504.2345 | www.cxsltd.com GEOPHYSICS TECHNICAL SERVICES A First Nations joint venture partner proudly based in Northern Ontario SUMMER/WINTER 2018/19 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazine   l   75