Interview with Chief Stacey Laforme, 2024 Friend of the Greenbelt Award Recipient

Chief Stacey Laforme is the former Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit and current poet and storyteller.

June 28th, 2024

Since 2005, the Greenbelt Foundation has been lucky to work with an amazing network of supporters and partners. Their dedication has helped keep the Greenbelt strong and thriving, benefiting millions of people in Ontario. 

Every year, the Friend of the Greenbelt Award celebrates those who champion the Greenbelt through their actions and words, contributing to its health and prosperity. Past winners have included Ontario Premiers, community members, industry leaders, innovative agriculture organizations, and conservation authorities. 

This year we were thrilled to present the award to Chief Stacey Laforme for his leadership and consistent voice to champion the permanent protection of the Greenbelt and its interconnected systems as well as his larger positive leadership for many years in Ontario. Most recently as the Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, he has consistently advocated strongly for the environmental, ecological, and cultural significance of the Greenbelt lands.

Chief Laforme has had a long history of community building and advocating for issues he is passionate about, including protecting the lands now known as the Greenbelt. He started his first job at twelve years old, eventually joining the iron workers union and attending college later in life.  

After retiring from iron work, he was elected to Council in 1999 and became Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation in 2015. Born and raised on Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Chief Laforme served his community for over eighteen years and, as part of his tenure, advocated strongly for the environmental, ecological, and cultural significance of the Greenbelt lands. He is only the third Honorary Senior Fellow of Massey College, joining the likes of the Duke of Edinburgh and the Chancellor of Oxford University in the rarest honour the college can bestow. In addition to his many accomplishments, he is a poet and artist.  

Sitting down for a personal chat Chief Laforme talked about the Greenbelt, his environmental philosophy and leadership, caring for nature and what’s next for him. 

Q: Can you describe your previous role as Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and as an environmental leader within Ontario? 

A: The role of a chief intertwines with jurisdiction and treaties, emphasizing the need to act for the collective good rather than individual interests. As a storyteller and poet, my mission is to raise consciousness and strive for a better tomorrow. Mother Earth and the treaties are connected—they demand that we prioritize the well-being of everyone as a collective. I believe that people are constantly seeking the next great solution, but true progress requires an evolution in mindset and how we relate to one another. Ideas must not be isolated; we must understand that we are one. Only then can we achieve meaningful change, fostering a paradigm shift in people's thinking.  In my time as a leader and environmental advocate I have always tried to embody these philosophies and teachings.

Q: How would you describe the Greenbelt, and in your opinion, why is it so important to protect and cherish this land? 

A: The Greenbelt offers an invaluable opportunity to experience nature. Regardless of where the idea originated, its core concept is to care for Mother Earth, it was and is at it's core an attempt to do better and make the world a little better. It is also important that we try to go beyond this and create a safe haven for wildlife and plant life, nature is not just about how we as humans experience it but also how all the other creatures do and how the earth interacts with itself. 

It doesn't matter how the Greenbelt came to be; what matters is that it remains. Taking away from it would be a significant step backward, and something I have actively advocated against. There's nothing better than being outside in nature, and our planet's health directly impacts humanity's well-being. We must prioritize preserving the human experience by making more conscious trade-offs that benefit both nature and people. 

Q: You talk about Mother Earth as a soul to be saved. Can you expand on this idea, where it came from, and what it means to you? 

A: This idea often comes to me during moments of relaxation or sleep, which is how most of my ideas come to me. I always say there's no greater sin than casting shadows over those we are sworn to protect and uplift. We struggle to understand Mother Earth because we are preoccupied with issues like climate change, but by changing the direction of our thoughts from climate change as a problem to be solved and to Mother Earth as a soul to be saved we open ourselves up to more possibilities for change. My perspective is rooted in the belief that we must shift our focus and recognize the deeper connection we have with our planet. 

Q: What is next for you? What message do you want to leave our readers with? 

A: I'm involved with a small foundation called Sacred Trust, sponsored by people who aim to raise consciousness. I also work with the Erika Foundation, which focuses on suicide awareness. Receiving awards humbles me and sometimes makes me feel unworthy, as humility and kindness are intrinsic to humanity. Since retiring, I've had to learn to talk about myself, which isn't my favourite thing. However, my message is clear: we must all strive to be humble, kind, and conscious of our collective role in protecting and nurturing our planet. 

To learn more about Stacey watch the Friend of the Greenbelt Award Video here

Find Stacey's books here