Kawartha Lakes, First Nations communities distance themselves from "Kawartha Lakes First Nation."

DAN CEARNS The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: The City of Kawartha Lakes and local First Nations communities are distancing themselves from a group known as “Kawartha Lakes First Nation.”

Recently, the City of Kawartha Lakes issued a disclaimer on their website, regarding the group, led by former Mayoral candidate William Denby, known as the “Assembly of Kawartha First Nation.”

“The City of Kawartha Lakes does not acknowledge this group as a First Nation or as an Aboriginal people. They have not been recognized as a First Nation by the federal government. Nor has this group been identified as a collective, whose identity as Aboriginal people and Constitutional rights-holders have been affirmed by the courts. This group also lacks any connection to a historical Indigenous community in Kawartha Lakes. Acknowledging entities who falsely claim Indigenous status undermines the process of reconciliation and does a disservice to legitimate rights holders,” the posted disclaimer stated.

Williams Treaties First Nations Communities, including: the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, Alderville First Nation, Chippewas of Beausoleil First Nation, Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, Chippewas of Rama First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation, and Hiawatha First Nation, recently issued a statement on the matter.

“We wish to advise the public of the actions and representations of an individual named William Denby, who has been falsely representing himself as an Indigenous person and claiming to speak for a group called “Kawartha Lakes First Nation” and “Assembly of Kawartha First Nations.” Mr. Denby and members of his group falsely claim to be an Indigenous people. [They] illegitimately assert rights and authority over lands which fall within Treaty 18, Treaty 20 and the Gunshot Treaty. [These are] solemn agreements which were entered into between our ancestors and the Crown, over which our First Nations have constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights and [over which] Mr. Denby and his group have no legitimate Aboriginal claims,” the statement read.

This statement also refuted claims made by Mr. Denby about his delegated authority.

“Mr. Denby has also made public statements, claiming he was delegated authority from Alderville First Nation. We wish to make it known emphatically, neither Mr. Denby nor any entity he purports to represent has been given any authority, by Alderville First Nation or any other Williams Treaties First Nations, to act or speak in any capacity on our behalf. The claims made by Mr. Denby are not only false but potentially disruptive, to our rights to be consulted on activities which may adversely impact our Aboriginal and treaty rights within our territories, as protected under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. Mr. Denby and his group’s assertions of indigeneity and rights over our lands are made without any factual basis.”

The joint statement noted, Kawartha Lakes First Nation has “no connection to any Indigenous community in the Kawartha Lakes region or beyond.”

“These types of claims not only cause public confusion but also undermine the legitimate consultation processes to protect Indigenous peoples’ rights and interests. Making false claims to indigeneity and misrepresenting Indigenous perspectives in public meetings is detrimental to the reconciliation process. We have demanded Mr. Denby cease all misrepresentations, regarding having any authority, in relation to the lands and rights of the Williams Treaties First Nations,” the statement added.

Mr. Denby could not be reached for comment by press time.