Chief Mary Duckworth
Caldwell First Nation

Mary Duckworth – (Madidoog-kinNya-Eyojic – Spirits are all around me) is a proud member of Caldwell First Nation whose ancestors have inhabited the North Shore of Lake Erie since time immemorial. CFN’s terroritory is centered on Point Pelee and Pelee Island and extends west to the Detroit River; east to the eastern end of Lake Erie at Long Point; north to the Sydenham and Thames Rivers; and south to the American border, and beyond. Five First Nation Governments make up what is known as the Three Fires Confederacy spanning Southwestern Ontario.

Elected Chief in September 2021, she has had to hit the ground running to plan the newest urban reserve in Southwestern Ontario. Caldwell previously purchsed 34 parcels of land in Leamington and the surrounding area. In November 2020, one parcel (198 acres) received a Ministerial Order designating reserve status to Caldwell. To date, land use planning has been done, a community concept beginning with 28 residential units has been completed. All infrastructure and engineering required to support the homes (Phase 1) is complete with duplexes, fourplexes scheduled to start building in November 2023.

Since being elected in September 2021, Chief Duckworth and her Council have also immersed themselves in Electrical Energy – one of the fastest growing sectors in Canada. Located in the heart of Caldwell traditional lands are five (5) new transmission lines - $2 billion capital costs – 50% First Nation ownership, multiple new energy storage/ generation projects, and two (2) EV Battery Manufacturing plants – Volkswagen in St. Thomas and unnamed project in the Town of Tecumseh.

In the spirt of Truth and Reconciliation, Chief Duckworth has been on a journey to build political and corporate relations with all Mayors and Councils in the Municipalities of Essex and Chatham Kent in a very meaningful and respectful way.

Chief Duckworth has a Master’s Degree in Social Work, with extensive experience in Justice, Corrections and Probation. She spent 17 years working at Walpole Island First Nation in their Family Services sector on Child Welfare and Youth probation.

Presently, she participates on Committees within the Chiefs of Ontario, the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians and serves as Chair of the London District Chiefs Council