Page 22 - Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation

Population

As of 2018, the population of our First Nation was approximately
230 people. This population only includes Status Indians. Status
Indian refers to someone whose parents or parent are of First
Nations ancestry and whose birth has been registered with
CIRNAC. There may be other members of our First Nation who
are not registered, resulting in a larger population than the
registration list shows.

Where Our People Live

72 Members living
on-territory

158

Members living
off-territory

Our population includes people from our own First Nation who live
on our territory and people from our First Nation who live in various
communities in Canada and the United States. These numbers are
constantly changing since people come and go from our territory. The
two largest portions of our populations live on the First Nation and in
British Columbia.

Indian Status

Scugog Island First Nation is unique in that many of our
members have married non-Indigenous people, meaning that,
in some cases, their children may not be registered as Status
Indians. A real concern for our community is whether we can
Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation
maintain our rights as a First Nation community if our members
ISBN: 017687495X
are not eligible for status as defined by CIRNAC. In our way of
thinking, any First Nation member should be entitled to the
FN otccb_msifn_f03
CO Allan Moon
treaty rights accorded status members, but this is not the way
CIRNAC views the issue. Our survival as a First Nation rests in
Pass 1st pass
part on our ability to successfully assert treaty rights for all of
Approved our people.
Not Approved

20 Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation

ogemawahj_community_book4.indd 20 2019-02-27 10:39 AM