Bearskin Lake First Nation
Encyclopedia
Bearskin Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation in the Canadian
province of Ontario
, located in the Kenora District
425 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout
. Bearskin First Nation's total registered population in September, 2007, was 831, of which their on-reserve population was 423.
Three settlements make up the Bearskin Lake First Nation. Originally located on Bearskin Lake, their main community moved to its present site on Michikan (Fish Trap) Lake in the 1930's. Their main settlement, located on Michikan Lake is accessible only by air or winter road
. The main village is situated on the west shore of the lake and all three communities are tied to one another by all weather gravel roads. The First Nation still retains the 12,626.3 ha Bearskin Lake Indian Reserve
.
Prior to achieving full Band and reserve status in 1975, Bearskin was a satellite community of the Big Trout Lake First Nation. Today, Bearskin Lake First Nation is a member of the Windigo First Nations Council
, a regional tribal council that is a member of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation
.
Bearskin Lake is police
d by the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
, an Aboriginal based service.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
province of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, located in the Kenora District
Kenora District, Ontario
Kenora District is a district and census division in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It was created in 1907 from parts of Rainy River District. It is, geographically, the largest division in that province; at 407,192.66 km2 it comprises almost 38 percent of the province's land area...
425 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout
Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Sioux Lookout is a town in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It has a population of 5,336 and an elevation of 1280 ft / 390 m. Known locally as the "Hub of the North", it is serviced by the Sioux Lookout Airport, Highway 72, and the Sioux Lookout railway station...
. Bearskin First Nation's total registered population in September, 2007, was 831, of which their on-reserve population was 423.
Three settlements make up the Bearskin Lake First Nation. Originally located on Bearskin Lake, their main community moved to its present site on Michikan (Fish Trap) Lake in the 1930's. Their main settlement, located on Michikan Lake is accessible only by air or winter road
Winter road
Winter roads are temporary highways carved out of snow and ice. They facilitate transportation to and from communities without permanent roads, and are commonly seen in isolated regions in Canada's north....
. The main village is situated on the west shore of the lake and all three communities are tied to one another by all weather gravel roads. The First Nation still retains the 12,626.3 ha Bearskin Lake Indian Reserve
Indian reserve
In Canada, an Indian reserve is specified by the Indian Act as a "tract of land, the legal title to which is vested in Her Majesty, that has been set apart by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of a band." The Act also specifies that land reserved for the use and benefit of a band which is not...
.
Prior to achieving full Band and reserve status in 1975, Bearskin was a satellite community of the Big Trout Lake First Nation. Today, Bearskin Lake First Nation is a member of the Windigo First Nations Council
Windigo First Nations Council
Windigo First Nations Council is a non-political Chiefs Council in northwestern Ontario, Canada, serving its seven member-First Nations. The council was organized in 1983. The organization is directed by the Chiefs of the member First Nations who form the Board of Directors...
, a regional tribal council that is a member of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political organization representing 49 First Nation communities across Treaty 9 and Treaty 5 areas of northern Ontario, Canada...
.
Bearskin Lake is police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
d by the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is the police force for Nishnawbe-Aski Nation . Created in 1994, the force has 175 sworn officers at 35 detachments in NAN communities. The Chief of Police is vacant with Robin Jones Acting Chief of Police...
, an Aboriginal based service.