Issue 1 2026 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazine  l   25
transformation, but I can see incremental 
progress from when I started to now.”
Stevens adds that she had also worked 
full-time with the Ministry of the 
Attorney General. “During COVID-19, 
I returned to a part-time role with the 
Ministry,” she says. “I still hold my law 
license and occasionally practice law, 
focusing also on estates work, though 
my time is largely devoted to community 
work now.”
Now two years into her term, Stevens 
says balancing interests is the biggest 
challenge for Chief and council. “There 
are numerous perspectives today, and 
many influences shape people’s thoughts,” 
Stevens says. “Overcoming colonial 
thinking is one of our greatest challenges. 
We must encourage people to think 
beyond that framework.”
Stevens also emphasizes the 
importance of considering what is best 
for the community and families. “Family 
is paramount, and ensuring there is a 
balance of time,” Stevens says. “We have 
to ensure we balance those interests 
when on council and making decisions; 
sometimes, people may not be satisfied 
with decisions, but we need to consider 
the greater good.”
Looking to the future, Stevens says 
they have some resource development 
opportunities in their traditional 
territory, including the Volta Metals 
Springer Rare Earth Project near 
Sturgeon Falls.
“We have developed a strong working 
relationship, making progress in training 
and partnerships,” Stevens says. “Volta 
Metals could potentially become a large 
operation, generating significant wealth 
for our First Nation. We’re excited about 
the jobs and procurement opportunities 
that could arise. Nbisiing Power, a 
Nipissing First Nation company,  
handles procurement for many of  
these industries.”
Nipissing is also exploring a solar 
power project on an old railway line 
property. “We’ve reclaimed one of the 
old rail lines, and there’s very minimal 
harvesting or hunting in that area,” 
Stevens says. “That’s where we plan to 
establish a solar project. It might take 
a year or two before it’s fully realized, 
but it’s another opportunity. As long as 
we maintain the site and the sun keeps 
shining, we’ll benefit financially from  
this initiative.”
While they’ve also been approached 
about the development of wind power 
and solar power projects in their 
territory, Stevens says the community  
was very divided on whether they  
wanted to do those projects.
“What we had to be really firm on 
was that any of the projects that were 
going to be brought into the community, 
they could not interfere with any of the 
harvesting practices that are currently 
going on or had gone on,” she says. 
“We’re very respectful of the community 
input when they talk about harvesting 
and ceremonies in any particular area.”
“I encourage a strong economy of 
our own,” Stevens concludes. “Going 
forward, I think our economy in our 
community ... can get stronger, and we 
should be supporting each other to build 
that economy and do it in a way that is 
respectful of our environment and being 
respectful of our treaty rights.”  
 
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