HAGERSVILLE—A new art installation located outside the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) Council House honours the legacy and advocacy work of historic local Indigenous leader Nahnebahwequay, also known as Catherine Sutton.
HAGERSVILLE—Pictured (l-r) at an art installation honouring their ancestor, trailblazing Indigenous advocate Nahnebahwequay, are Lee-Ann Miller, Amber Porter, Teresa Miller, and Sawyer Miller. 
HAGERSVILLE—MCFN Chief Margaret Sault addressed the crowd at the unveiling. —Haldimand Press photos by Mike Renzella. 
HAGERSVILLE—Carolyn King, founder of the non-profit initiative Moccasin Identifier, posed with the installation. 
A portrait of Nahnebahwequay and her son, shared by her relatives at the unveiling ceremony.
The installation was unveiled May 21, 2026, drawing a crowd of supporters, descendants, and local leaders following work by Moccasin Identifier.
Moccasin Identifier is a non-profit educational initiative founded by MCFN elder Carolyn King in 2019 to help Canadians visually recognize the traditional lands of Indigenous people – in alignment with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action – through marking spaces with moccasin symbols.
Nahnebahwequay was born in 1824. She was known as a prominent critic of colonial land policies. In 1859, she travelled to England to present her community’s grievances directly to Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace.
Her descendant Amber Porter spoke to the gathered crowd ahead of the unveiling.
“I’ve been studying a lot about Nahnebahwequay just trying to find my own identity and where to go from there,” said Porter. “I can’t help but be so very proud of being a descendant of such a strong woman.”
King praised the installation and its prominent location.
“There was a lot of research to figure out all that she did,” she said. “If you read her history, you see what a driver she was. If you didn’t know, she was the niece of Peter Jones (Ojibwe chief, author, Methodist minister, translator), so she was involved with political history all along.”
MCFN Chief Margaret Sault praised the work that went into realizing the installation.
“It is about honouring legacy, acknowledging leadership, and ensuring that the stories of the people continue to be shared, and remembered, and be seen,” said Sault, calling Nahnebahwequay a “remarkable Mississauga woman whose advocacy, strength, and determination continue to inspire generations…. At a time when Indigenous voices, especially Indigenous women, were silenced, she stood firmly in defence of her people, her family, and her rights.”
Sault thanked researcher Donald Smith for his dedicated work bringing this story to life.
Sault noted that Nahnebahwequay’s “work and her advocacy continues to resonate today. She reminds us of the courage to persevere and speaking up for what is right, even in the face of tremendous challenges and the hardships she went through.”
Sault also praised Moccasin Identifier for the organization’s work creating meaningful opportunities for education, visibility, and reflection “by acknowledging First Nations presence and history on the land…. Programs like this encourage important conversations and help ensure our histories are not overlooked or forgotten.”
She said she hopes the new installation will allow visitors to reflect on the rich history of the land, the people who came before us, and the people who remain today.
“For many years our history and contributions were absent from public spaces and public understanding. Monuments like this will help change that. They create opportunities for people to learn, to ask questions, and to better understand the enduring presence of our people on these lands,” said Sault.
“They are reminders that our stories matter, that our ancestors matter, and that future descendants deserve to see themselves reflected and represented in the places where we live, gather, and share knowledge.”
The installation can be seen outside the Council House, 2789 Mississauga Road in Hagersville.
