Nipissing First Nation Chief asks for return of headdress
Posted March 11, 2023 5:01 pm.
Last Updated March 12, 2023 11:19 am.
Nipissing First Nation Chief Scott McLeod is asking for the return of the Nipissing First Nation Chief headdress that was stolen along with his vehicle on Saturday morning.
Chief Scott McLeod was in Mississauga to host the Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) tournament on Mar. 11 where his vehicle was stolen with the headdress inside.
The headdress was constructed with over two years of research by elders, academics, historians, and geographers, with the beadwork representing women’s roles in supporting the leader wearing the ceremonial headdress, seven white eagle feathers signifying a commitment that a leader makes following the seven grandfather/grandmother teachings to lead responsibly.
Peel police say the 2022 green Jeep Wrangler with Ontario licence plate CFRV260 was parked at a hotel in the area of Dixie Road and Matheson Boulevard when it was stolen at approximately 3 a.m.
“I ask that the perpetrators of this theft find it upon themselves to kindly return the headdress, this can be done anonymously, to the Sandman Signature Mississauga hotel or to one of the arenas where the event is taking place,” says Chief McLeod in a statement.
Police are also appealing to the public for help in this investigation.
“This headdress is of great significance for Nipissing First Nation, and its loss has had a deep impact on their community,” said Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah. “We ask our community for their assistance by contacting investigators with any information that can bring this investigation to a positive and rightful conclusion.”
