EcoLinks 2024

Join us at the University of Guelph Arboretum for a day of learning to connect to nature through nurturing joy, wellbeing, and a love of learning in the outdoors!

This conference will support educators in building skills and approaches for teaching equitable environmental education. It will also provide opportunities educators to network, build confidence and find supports to help you take environmental education to the next level.

We are pleased to have Chief Kelly LaRocca lead off our conference with a keynote address.

Kelly LaRocca proudly serves as the Chief of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, located near the town of Port Perry, Ontario.
Kelly’s educational achievements include an honours degree in philosophy from the University of Western Ontario, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law. Kelly also spent time on the west coast, studying Aboriginal law at the University of Victoria, after having practiced as a civil litigation lawyer in the City of Toronto.
Upon returning to Scugog First Nation in 2008, Kelly built her capacity as a Council member and was later elected as Chief in 2013. Chief LaRocca and the MSIFN Council led the negotiation of the commercial gaming and revenue share agreements for the Great Blue Heron Casino, which is owned and operated on the territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These commercial agreements carried the community through the COVID19 pandemic, enabling their project commitments towards the completion of MSIFNs state of the art water treatment plant and the lift of their Drinking Water Advisory in 2021. MSIFN is looking forward to the completion of full scale wastewater treatment for the community which will be in operation as of the summer 2024.
Kelly proudly served as the Portfolio Chief Representative during the claim negotiations arising from the 1923 Williams Treaties, which came to a final settlement in 2018 and is one of the largest treaty settlements in Canadian claims history. Serving under the Chiefs of the Williams Treaties First Nations and the negotiation team was one of the highlights of Kelly’s tenure as Chief.
Kelly and the MSIFN Council very proudly established the MSIFN Community Legacy Trust, which ensures that the Treaty Settlement Monies from the Williams Treaties Final Settlement will be put to the use and benefit of the MSIFN community and future generations.
Kelly serves as a Director for the National Lands Advisory Board for First Nations Lands Management, and as is the Chair of the Ogemawahj Tribal Council. Kelly is proud to serve as a Trustee for the Sick Kids Hospital and is also proud to serve as a Director for the Shorefast Board for Fogo Island. Kelly is an accomplished public speaker, and enjoys painting in her free time.
Kelly is elated that she had her daughter Ruby and her son Eli during her tenure as Chief. Kelly lives with her amazingly supportive partner Jonathan and their two children in Scugog First Nation. It continues to be Kelly’s honour and privilege to serve her people.

Event Venue

The Arboretum, University of Guelph, 200 Arboretum Road, Guelph, Canada