Ontario First Nation chief acclaimed, 12 years after first election win

The new council of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation was sworn in last week, with Chief Kelly LaRocca earning her sixth re-election victory (by acclimation this time) after first winning a bid for chief in 2013.

New rules approved in December changed the term of office from two years to a four-year cycle and increased the size of council from two councillors to four, along with Chief LaRocca.

The new law aligns with regulations in the First Nations Election Act (2014) and matches up with election terms for municipal councils across Ontario.

The election campaign ended June 20, with councillors Jeff Forbes and Sylvia Colemen returning to council after being sworn in July 7.

Joining them will be Laura Colwell, who served two terms on council from 2017-2021, and first-timer Jake Kozlinsky.

The swearing-in ceremony included a dinner with family and members of the community.

The first election for the Scugog Island First Nation was held in 1893, with terms generally between three and five years before the two-year term was adopted after the election of Ernest Edgar in 1955.

Chief Kelly LaRocca. Photo by Ang Tek Gie Photography