Tuesday, September 22, 2026
MISSISSAUGA, ON – On Tuesday, local MPP Sheref Sabawy joined Heritage Mississauga, project participants and members of the community for a Fall Equinox gathering marking the completion of Voices of the Land: Preserving Indigenous Stories of Mississauga. Heritage Mississauga received a $64,200 Seed grant over 12 months from the Ontario government through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to record, preserve and share Indigenous oral histories connected to Mississauga.
“Mississauga has a long and storied past. Long before the apartment buildings and shopping malls, Indigenous peoples lived, worked, and raised their families along the winding banks of the Credit River. It is important that we continue to recognize this important Indigenous connection to our city,” said Sheref Sabawy, MPP for Mississauga—Erin Mills. “I am grateful to Heritage Mississauga and the Ontario Trillium Foundation for partnering to document these stories, and share publicly these important oral histories.”
Through Voices of the Land, Heritage Mississauga recorded and preserved 19 oral histories featuring members of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous residents of Mississauga. The interviews preserve personal experiences, community histories and connections to the land in the participants’ own words.
Since the interviews were completed, Heritage Mississauga has continued to develop the stories into public content. The organization has published 12 articles based on the oral histories and produced two professional videos: The Man Who Listens to the Trees | Sidney Gendron, Métis Artist in Mississauga and Seeing the Land Differently | Darin Wybenga, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Stories from the project have also been shared through Heritage Mississauga’s social media and digital platforms.
Among those interviewed was Chief Margaret Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, whose oral history reflects on her experiences and decades of work involving land and land claims. Interviews such as hers help preserve first-hand memories and perspectives that may not otherwise become part of the written historical record.
The project is also beginning to have an impact beyond Mississauga. After learning about Voices of the Land, an Indigenous community member approached Heritage Mississauga for training in its oral-history process, with plans to use what she learns to record stories within her own community. This sharing of knowledge creates another opportunity for communities to preserve lived memories in their own voices.
“Oral histories allow people to tell their stories in their own words, and those voices add an important dimension to how we understand Mississauga’s history,” said Jayme Gaspar, Executive Director of Heritage Mississauga. “We are grateful to the participants who trusted us with their stories and to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for helping us preserve and share them. It is especially meaningful to see the project continuing to grow and inspire storytelling beyond our own community.”
Mississauga is a diverse and dynamic city, shaped by the stories and contributions of newcomers and longtime residents alike. As the only independent charitable organization dedicated to heritage in Mississauga, Heritage Mississauga researches, preserves, and shares the stories that have shaped our community. Incorporated as a not-for-profit charity in 1960, we work in partnership with the community to deliver programs and services that celebrate our shared heritage, preserve Mississauga’s identity, and foster a culture of understanding, inclusion, belonging, and pride.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. In 2025-26, OTF invested nearly $107M into 746 community projects. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Local Organization Information
Heritage Mississauga
Jayme Gaspar, Executive Director
Phone: 905-828-8411, ext 31
Email: jgaspar@heritagemississauga.org
MPP Contact Information
Office of Sheref Sabawy, MPP for Mississauga—Erin Mills
Constituency Office: 4181 Sladeview Cres, Unit 40 Mississauga ON L5L 5R2
Phone: 905-820-8851
Email: Sheref.Sabawy@pc.ola.org