McDowell Lake First Nation
Encyclopedia
McDowell Lake First Nation (Oji-Cree
: Misi-zhaaga'iganiing) is a small Oji-Cree First Nation located in Northern Ontario
, located approximately 155 km northeast of Red Lake, Ontario
, Canada
, on the central western shore of McDowell Lake. As of December, 2007, their total registered population was 52. It is part of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council
(Northern Chiefs) and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation
.
The First Nation's MacDowell Lake Indian Settlement, also known as MacDowell Lake, Ontario, is accessible by float and ski equipped aircraft. Though no winter
/ice road
s connect this community in the winter, a person can use either snowmobiles or snowshoes to trail off from winter/ice roads and head towards the community. Nearest winter/ice roads from the community connect Red Lake, Ontario, to North Spirit Lake
, Deer Lake
and Sandy Lake First Nation
s.
as Misi-zhaaga'igan, meaning "the grand lake." Misi-zhaaga'igan was the main water way for people travelling by canoes leading North to Windigo Lake
or going east towards Cat Lake
. Kenequanash and his family was soon joined by the James family. Most Band members were former North Caribou Lake (Weagamow Lake)
members and also have close ties with Cat Lake
members. For many years the prime economic activity is either trapping or commercial fishing. In 1985, McDowell Lake long with six other community was awarded official Band status. The Governments of Canada, Ontario, the Nishnawbe Aski Nation
and six of its member First Nations (Aroland
, Keewaywin
, McDowell Lake, New Slate Falls, Saugeen
and Wawakapewin
) signed an agreement in December 1991 to make lands available to establish Indian reserve
s in the six communities and to provide basic community facilities. In June 1992, the 4455 ha MacDowell Lake Indian Settlement was remitted, but Census Canada records only 2750 ha in 1996 and 1940 ha in 2006.
The First Nation is a member of Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council
(Northern Chiefs), a local non-political Chiefs Council. McDowell Lake is also a member of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation
, a Tribal Political Organization representing many of the First Nations in northern Ontario.
and by the Nishnawbe Aski Nation
. Services include:
Oji-Cree language
The Severn Ojibwa or the Oji-Cree language is the indigenous name for a dialect of the Ojibwe language spoken in a series of Oji-Cree communities in northern Ontario and at Island Lake, Manitoba, Canada...
: Misi-zhaaga'iganiing) is a small Oji-Cree First Nation located in Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron , the French River and Lake Nipissing. The region has a land area of 802,000 km2 and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it contains only about 6% of the population...
, located approximately 155 km northeast of Red Lake, Ontario
Red Lake, Ontario
Population trend:* Population in 2006: 4526* Population in 2001: 4233* Population total in 1996: 4778** Golden : 2248** Red Lake : 2277* Population in 1991:** Golden : 2355** Red Lake : 2268-Climate:...
, Canada
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...
, on the central western shore of McDowell Lake. As of December, 2007, their total registered population was 52. It is part of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council
Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council
Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council is a non-political Chiefs Council in northwestern Ontario, Canada, serving its six member-First Nations...
(Northern Chiefs) and 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...
.
The First Nation's MacDowell Lake Indian Settlement, also known as MacDowell Lake, Ontario, is accessible by float and ski equipped aircraft. Though no winter
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....
/ice road
Ice road
Ice roads are frozen, human-made structures on the surface of bays, rivers, lakes, or seas in the far north. They link dry land, frozen waterways, portages and winter roads, and are usually remade each winter. Ice roads allow temporary transport to areas with no permanent road access...
s connect this community in the winter, a person can use either snowmobiles or snowshoes to trail off from winter/ice roads and head towards the community. Nearest winter/ice roads from the community connect Red Lake, Ontario, to North Spirit Lake
North Spirit Lake First Nation
North Spirit Lake First Nation is a small Oji-Cree community in Northern Ontario, located north of Red Lake, Ontario. It is connected to Sandy Lake First Nation, and Deer Lake First Nation by winter/ice roads...
, Deer Lake
Deer Lake First Nation
Deer Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation in Northern Ontario, located north of Red Lake, Ontario. It is one of the few First Nations in Ontario to have signed Treaty 5. It is part of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation...
and Sandy Lake First Nation
Sandy Lake First Nation
Sandy Lake First Nation is an independent Oji-Cree First Nation. The First Nation community, in the west part of Northern Ontario, is located in the Kenora District, northeast of Red Lake, Ontario. Its registered population in June 2007 was 2,474...
s.
History
The small community of Misi-zhaaga'iganiing was established by trapper Johnny Kenequanash in the 1940's on the central western shore of McDowell Lake, known in Oji-Cree languageOji-Cree language
The Severn Ojibwa or the Oji-Cree language is the indigenous name for a dialect of the Ojibwe language spoken in a series of Oji-Cree communities in northern Ontario and at Island Lake, Manitoba, Canada...
as Misi-zhaaga'igan, meaning "the grand lake." Misi-zhaaga'igan was the main water way for people travelling by canoes leading North to Windigo Lake
Windigo Lake (Ontario)
Windigo Lake is a lake in the Kenora District in Northern Ontario, Canada. It is situated at the end of the Northern Ontario Resource Trail....
or going east towards Cat Lake
Cat Lake (Ontario)
-References:*...
. Kenequanash and his family was soon joined by the James family. Most Band members were former North Caribou Lake (Weagamow Lake)
North Caribou Lake First Nation
North Caribou Lake First Nation or Weagamow First Nation, sometimes also known as Round Lake First Nation, is an Oji-Cree First Nation located in Kenora District in northern Ontario, Canada. It is approximately 320 km or 202 air miles north of Sioux Lookout, Ontario...
members and also have close ties with Cat Lake
Cat Lake First Nation
Cat Lake First Nation is an Ojibwa community approximately 180 kilometres northwest of Sioux Lookout in northwestern Ontario. Wasaya Airways run daily on regular schedules. Winter/ice roads also connects from Pickle Lake, Ontario, via Northern Ontario Resource Trail during the winter months, which...
members. For many years the prime economic activity is either trapping or commercial fishing. In 1985, McDowell Lake long with six other community was awarded official Band status. The Governments of Canada, Ontario, 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...
and six of its member First Nations (Aroland
Aroland First Nation
Aroland is an Ojibwa and Oji-Cree First Nation in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in the Thunder Bay District approximately 20 kilometres west of Nakina...
, Keewaywin
Keewaywin First Nation
Keewaywin is a small Oji-Cree community in Northern Ontario, located north of Red Lake, Ontario. It is connected to Sandy Lake First Nation by Sandy Lake. It is part of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation...
, McDowell Lake, New Slate Falls, Saugeen
Ojibway Nation of Saugeen First Nation
Ojibway Nation of Saugeen is an Ojibwa First Nation in the Canadian province of Ontario. The Nation is located in the Thunder Bay District, approximately 20 kilometres northwest of Savant Lake...
and Wawakapewin
Wawakapewin First Nation
Wawakapewin First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation located 350 kilometers north of Sioux Lookout, Ontario. More specifically in geological terms, it is located at . It is only accessible by air and the winter road system from Pickle Lake. It is a small community in which the registered...
) signed an agreement in December 1991 to make lands available to establish 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...
s in the six communities and to provide basic community facilities. In June 1992, the 4455 ha MacDowell Lake Indian Settlement was remitted, but Census Canada records only 2750 ha in 1996 and 1940 ha in 2006.
Governance
The leadership of the First Nation is determined through a Custom Electoral System. The current Chief is Eli James, with Head Councillor Albert James and Councillor Ellen Keno. Their elected terms began on December 28, 2001.The First Nation is a member of Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council
Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council
Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council is a non-political Chiefs Council in northwestern Ontario, Canada, serving its six member-First Nations...
(Northern Chiefs), a local non-political Chiefs Council. McDowell Lake is also 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...
, a Tribal Political Organization representing many of the First Nations in northern Ontario.
Services
Government services are provided by the Keewaytinook Okimakanak CouncilKeewaytinook Okimakanak Council
Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council is a non-political Chiefs Council in northwestern Ontario, Canada, serving its six member-First Nations...
and by 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...
. Services include:
- KO Telemedicine
- K-Net ISP service
- NAN Police Service