Elect
Jason Laronde
My Biography
I am a proud member of the Nipissing First Nation. Over the years, I have actively contributed to the community by serving on several committees, including the natural resources committee, housing committee, government policy review committee, and the Little NHL committee. Additionally, I have dedicated 10 years to coaching our Little NHL teams.
I served as your Councillor between 2015-2018, where I managed portfolios for housing and policing, focusing on improving community safety and ensuring accessible, quality housing for all members. I am a proud supporter of the Gchi-Naakinigewin- our community’s constitution and great law. In addition to being a harvester, fisherman and occasional trapper, I believe strongly that the ability to exercise our rights is crucial for maintaining our sovereignty, preserving our cultural heritage, and ensuring our voices are heard in shaping our future. Passing down knowledge to the next generation is vital for keeping our traditions, languages, and histories alive, empowering our youth to continue our legacy, and upholding our community’s values.
I work for the Anishinabek Nation where I serve as Director for 2 departments; Lands and Resources and Economic Development. For over 24 years, I have served on the frontlines of managing fish and wildlife issues, protecting our traditional territory as well as the environment and our sacred water. On the senior management team at the Anishinabek Nation, I contributed to nationhood priorities in the areas of self-government, health, social, and economic development. As a senior-level decision-maker, I know what it takes to move an agenda forward according to the needs and willingness of the community.
Over the years, I have obtained the guidance of the Elders in preserving traditional Anishinaabe values that are so important to the well-being and prosperity of the community. “Self-government and self-determination can’t happen without a tremendous sense of nationhood, a strong culture, and revitalization of the Anishinaabemowin language.”
Early in my career, I spent many years as a carpenter, helping to build numerous homes and cottages along with other projects, a trade I still practices today. I graduated from Canadore College with a diploma in Civil Engineering, which led me to work for two First Nation engineering firms, Anishinabek Engineering Limited and Chi-Gaaming Technical Services Group, as a technologist and operations manager, before moving into the lands and resources and economic development sectors.
Together with my wife Laurie, we have three children and are avid volunteers in the community contributing to causes that support diabetes and arthritis programs and research.
Video Shorts
My Values
My election campaign for Councillor of Nipissing First Nation is guided by an important set of values.
SEVEN GRANDFATHER TEACHINGS
Living our lives, conducting ourselves accordingly and relating with all of Creation using the teachings of Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, Truth.
EMPOWERMENT
Empowering our community collectively and as individuals using our Anishinabek values and cultures.
ENRICHMENT
Enriching the lives of all our community members.
PRAGMATISM
Finding innovative, practical, and pragmatic solutions.
My Platform
Empowering NFN Rights Holders
There is no greater threat to our indigenous rights and livelihood than the health of Lake Nipissing, the recovery of the walleye fishery and managing how we exercise our Aboriginal and Treaty Rights is crucial to maintaining our sovereignty
As a harvester, my experience with the Natural Resources Committee and my role with the Anishinabek Nation have centered on advocating for the exercise and protection of our right to harvest. These rights come with tremendous responsibility. Protecting one of our greatest resources requires effective governance and oversight that honors our Nation’s values and practices.
Moreover, we need to reconnect with our core values of sustenance, sustainability, and stewardship that support the transfer of knowledge to the next generation. I believe our Elders can play a prominent role in re-establishing traditional practices for using the Lake, such as offering asaamaa (tobacco) for their harvest in respect of our customs. The keeping our traditional practices will play a critical part in developing innovative, sustainable programs for our harvesters that will stimulate our economy and create greater awareness for the next generation.
Reaffirming Our Traditional Territory
Nipissing First Nation must proactively assert our rights and jurisdiction over our ancestral lands. Our community confronts challenges from provincial regulations, forestry and mining projects, and encroaching land claims that encircle us.
One effective strategy to assert our jurisdiction is by hosting biannual gatherings during the spring and fall harvest seasons on nearby Crown land. These gatherings will serve as celebrations of our rights, expressing gratitude for our plentiful harvests, and sharing essential teachings, values, and practices for sustainable harvesting.
Through our presence on Crown Land within our territory, we send a resolute message to both our neighbors and government: NFN holds firm jurisdiction over our lands and waters.
Reaffirming Our Traditional Territory
Nipissing First Nation must proactively assert our rights and jurisdiction over our ancestral lands. Our community confronts challenges from provincial regulations, forestry and mining projects, and encroaching land claims that encircle us.
One effective strategy to assert our jurisdiction is by hosting biannual gatherings during the spring and fall harvest seasons on nearby Crown land. These gatherings will serve as celebrations of our rights, expressing gratitude for our plentiful harvests, and sharing essential teachings, values, and practices for sustainable harvesting.
Through our presence on Crown Land within our territory, we send a resolute message to both our neighbors and government: NFN holds firm jurisdiction over our lands and waters.
Home Ownership
I’ve had the privilege of being both a builder and an advocate for community housing programs in First Nations communities. With a background as a trained carpenter, I dedicated my early career to ensuring homes are constructed to last for generations. I remain committed to finding new ways to expand our community’s options for homeownership.
One significant challenge we face is the risk of community housing projects exceeding their budgets, particularly when self-managed. To address this, our Housing Program in Nipissing First Nation can benefit from the development of a new Housing Toolkit and Wise Practices guide. This Toolkit will not only include physical tools but also essential resources such as charts, checklists, sample budgets, and project management guidance. Providing builders with these resources will help them complete their homes to standard and within budget.
The Significance of Education
There is no greater priority than ensuring the education of our children, youth, and adult learners. Education serves as the cornerstone for building robust economies and securing our success in the years ahead. As we continue to focus on empowering our community, it’s essential to emphasize the paramount importance of education.
Moving forward, our community must explore additional options and resources to support students and expand post-secondary education opportunities. We can enhance our education programs by emphasizing fields such as science, mathematics, engineering, medicine, and high-tech sectors. Furthermore, we can provide avenues for skill development through apprenticeships, skilled trades, and technology training.
It’s crucial to ensure that graduates from universities, colleges, and apprenticeship programs receive support in finding employment within our community, Tribal Councils, and Indigenous organizations. We must ascertain the needs of our community and guide our students toward fields of study that align with those needs. Our objective is to have skilled Nipissing professionals return home to contribute to the prosperity of our community.
The Significance of Education
There is no greater priority than ensuring the education of our children, youth, and adult learners. Education serves as the cornerstone for building robust economies and securing our success in the years ahead. As we continue to focus on empowering our community, it’s essential to emphasize the paramount importance of education.
Moving forward, our community must explore additional options and resources to support students and expand post-secondary education opportunities. We can enhance our education programs by emphasizing fields such as science, mathematics, engineering, medicine, and high-tech sectors. Furthermore, we can provide avenues for skill development through apprenticeships, skilled trades, and technology training.
It’s crucial to ensure that graduates from universities, colleges, and apprenticeship programs receive support in finding employment within our community, Tribal Councils, and Indigenous organizations. We must ascertain the needs of our community and guide our students toward fields of study that align with those needs. Our objective is to have skilled Nipissing professionals return home to contribute to the prosperity of our community.
Community Well-being
Like many First Nations, our community grapples with the repercussions of declining health, addiction, and mental health issues. From the prevalent struggles with diabetes to widespread dependency on opiates, and the challenges our youth face with anxiety and depression, many members of our community confront daily health and well-being obstacles.
The key to addressing community well-being lies in reaching out to our young people, emphasizing prevention, proactively supporting the most vulnerable among us, and leveraging our community values and culture to instill pride and dignity as Anishinaabe people. My proposal entails developing an integrated model for community well-being, encompassing a collective vision complete with clear goals, objectives, and actionable strategies.
Environmental Capacity and Policy Development
In addition to supporting the growth of our youth and community, it’s imperative to enhance our capacity in environmental protection. We must establish clear objectives and targets to uphold water and air quality standards. Holding the government accountable is crucial, particularly in addressing the cleanup of long-neglected tailing and disposal sites within our community and traditional territory.
As part of Nipissing First Nation’s new environmental policy, we must advocate for the government to fulfill its duty to consult with us regarding permits issued on our traditional territory and contentious projects potentially impacting our lands and waters. It’s essential to thoroughly understand the risks associated with such projects to safeguard our Treaty lands from any adverse effects of natural resource development in the long term.
Environmental Capacity and Policy Development
In addition to supporting the growth of our youth and community, it’s imperative to enhance our capacity in environmental protection. We must establish clear objectives and targets to uphold water and air quality standards. Holding the government accountable is crucial, particularly in addressing the cleanup of long-neglected tailing and disposal sites within our community and traditional territory.
As part of Nipissing First Nation’s new environmental policy, we must advocate for the government to fulfill its duty to consult with us regarding permits issued on our traditional territory and contentious projects potentially impacting our lands and waters. It’s essential to thoroughly understand the risks associated with such projects to safeguard our Treaty lands from any adverse effects of natural resource development in the long term.
My Message
Aanin Nbisiing Anishinaabek:
Biidaajmo Ndizhnikaaz, a proud member of our Nipissing First Nation, a former councillor, and a dedicated worker at the Anishinabek Nation, I stand before you today deeply rooted in our community, committed to our values, and driven by a vision for our collective future.
As we enter this election, I want to address what is likely on everyone’s minds: the Robinson Huron Treaty Annuities. We are at a pivotal moment in our history, one that brings both opportunity and responsibility. The recent landmark settlement of the Robinson Huron Treaty, securing $10 billion for the 21 Anishinaabe First Nations, marks a significant milestone. This settlement is not only a rectification of past injustices—though it certainly is that—but also a beacon of what we can achieve together moving forward.
Our priority with the treaty funds must be to ensure they reach the most vulnerable among us—our elders, our youth, and our families who struggle. We need to establish clear, open forums for discussing how these funds will be used, ensuring that your ideas and needs lead our planning.
Moreover, we need to invest in programs that empower all community members, respecting our past while building a resilient future. We need initiatives that not only address immediate needs but also provide sustainable solutions, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure that can transform our community. This aligns with our commitment to promoting self-sufficiency and improving the quality of life for all members, as outlined in the Nipissing First Nation strategic priorities.
Let us honor the legacy of those who came before us by building a community that truly reflects our shared values and aspirations. A community where every decision is made with clarity and every dollar is accounted for with integrity.
I ask for your trust and your vote to bring about this change. Together, let’s reignite the spirit of active, engaged governance. Let’s ensure that each new day dawns on a Nipissing First Nation that is stronger, more connected, and more prosperous than ever before.
Miigwech. Thank you for your support and your faith in me to lead us forward.
Jason Laronde
Voting Dates & Locations
Advanced Poll
There will be an advanced poll held on
- Saturday June 29, 2024
from
- 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
at the following location:
- Nipissing First Nation Garden Village Community Centre
Address: Nipissing First Nation, 36 Semo Road,
Garden Village Ontario
Regular Poll
A regular poll will be held on
- Friday July 5, 2024
from
- 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
at the following locations:
- Nipissing First Nation Garden Village Community Centre
Address: Nipissing First Nation, 36 Semo Road,
Garden Village Ontario
- Duchesnay Community Hall
Address: 520 A Couchie Memorial Drive,
Duchesnay Village, Nipissing First Nation
Internet / Electronic Voting
Any eligible voter may cast their ballot electronically beginning
- Saturday June 1, 2024 at 9:00 AM
and concluding
- Friday July 5, 2024 at 8:00 PM
To vote electronically please visit the link below and click the red button. You will require your status number, date of birth and personal email address – please read and follow all instructions provided.
Contact Me
Contact me with any questions you have and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
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