Journey Through Poetry and Storytelling: Who We Were, Who We Are, and Who do We Want to Be?
Matthew Wilkinson, Historian for Heritage Mississauga will give a historical overview of the Mississaugas and will then introduce R. Stacey Laforme to talk about and focus on “Who We Were, What We Are and Who Do We Want to Be.”
Biography: Gimaa (Chief) R. Stacey LaForme was the elected Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN). Born and raised on MCFN, Chief R. Stacey LaForme has served his community for over twenty years, first elected to the council in 1999. Chief R. Stacey LaForme has participated in several committees and boards throughout his seven terms, serving as a Councillor, including involvement with the MCFN’s Pan Am Games Secretariat (PAGS). As Chair of the PAGS Committee, Chief R. Stacey LaForme was instrumental in raising the profile of all First Nations by recognizing the MNCFN as the first-ever official Host First Nation of the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. He is active throughout MNCFN’s traditional territory, which encompasses 3.9 million acres of Southern Ontario, not only as a former Chief but as a notable storyteller and poet.