Kelly LaRocca
Chief

Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation

Kelly LaRocca proudly serves as the Chief of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, located approximately 1.5 hrs northeast of the City of Toronto in Williams Treaties, Michi Saagiig territory. 

Kelly’s educational achievements include an honours degree in philosophy from the University of Western Ontario, and a Bachelor of Laws from Windsor Law School. Kelly also spent time on the west coast, studying Aboriginal law at the University of Victoria, after having practiced as a civil litigation lawyer in the City of Toronto. Most recently, Kelly received an honorary Doctor of Laws from York University. 

Upon returning to Scugog First Nation in 2008, Kelly built her capacity as a Council member and was later elected as Chief in 2013. Chief LaRocca and the MSIFN Council led the negotiation of the commercial gaming and revenue share agreements for the Great Blue Heron Casino, which is owned and operated on the territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

Kelly proudly served as the Portfolio Chief Representative during the claim negotiations arising from the 1923 Williams Treaties, which came to a final settlement in 2018. Serving under the Chiefs of the Williams Treaties First Nations and the negotiation team was one of the highlights of Kelly’s tenure as Chief. With the recognition of Constitutionally protected rights to harvest, the WTFN were well positioned to negotiate their very recent investment into the OPG DNNP project. 

Like so many First Nations across Canada, MSIFN had been under a long-standing permanent Drinking Water Advisory. Chief LaRocca and the MSIFN community proudly achieved clean drinking water in December 2021. MSIFN later completed its wastewater expansion project in Fall 2023.

Kelly serves as an elected Director for the National Lands Advisory Board for First Nations Lands Management, and as Treasurer for her community energy development entity, Minogi Corp. Kelly serves as the Chair for the Ogemawahj Tribal Council and is a Trustee for Sick Kids Hospital. 

Kelly lives with her amazingly supportive partner Jonathan and their two children in Scugog First Nation. It continues to be Kelly’s honour and privilege to serve her people.