Wapekeka First Nation
Encyclopedia
Wapekeka First Nation is a First Nation in the Canadian
province of Ontario
. An Oji-Cree community in the Kenora District
, the community is located approximately 450 kilometres northeast of Sioux Lookout
. In January, 2008, the total registered population was 375, of which the on-reserve population was 355.
The First Nation have as its reserve
the 3605 ha Wapekeka 1 Indian Reserve and the 2026.5 ha Wapekeka 2 Indian Reserve, and two Addendums in 1996 and 1997. The First Nation observes Eastern Standard Time
(UTC-5
) in winter and Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4
) in the summer.
The settlement is not accessible by road, although it has regular air service from Bearskin Airlines
and Wasaya Airways
.
Wapekeka is police
d by the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
, an Aboriginal based service.
(James Bay Treaty of 1905). In 1947, beginnings of Angling Lake community was formed as a satellite community used in winter by families from Big Trout Lake whose traplines were located in the area. Beginning in 1960, permanent communities apart from the Big Trout Lake Band were established. These communities were Kingfisher Lake
, Wunnumin Lake
, Bearskin Lake
, Kasabonika
, Muskrat Dam, Sachigo Lake
and Wapekeka. Wapekeka received official Band status and two reserves in 1979. On August 28, 1981, the Angling Lake Band officially changed its name to Wapekeka First Nation.
Originally a member of the Kayahn Area Tribal Council (1977-1983), when the council disbanded, along with the communities of Kasabonika Lake, Kingfisher Lake
, Wunnumin Lake
and Wawakapewin
, Wapekeka formed and today is part of the Shibogama First Nations Council
.
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....
. An Oji-Cree community 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...
, the community is located approximately 450 kilometres northeast 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...
. In January, 2008, the total registered population was 375, of which the on-reserve population was 355.
The First Nation have as its 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...
the 3605 ha Wapekeka 1 Indian Reserve and the 2026.5 ha Wapekeka 2 Indian Reserve, and two Addendums in 1996 and 1997. The First Nation observes Eastern Standard Time
Eastern Standard Time
Eastern Standard Time may refer to:*North American Eastern Time Zone, UTC-5*Australian Eastern Standard Time, UTC+10*An album by Hip Hop group Kooley High...
(UTC-5
UTC-5
UTC−05:00 is an identifier for a time offset from UTC of −05.This offset is used in the Eastern Time Zone during standard time and in the Central Time Zone during Daylight Saving Time ....
) in winter and Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4
UTC-4
UTC−04-00 is an identifier for a time offset from UTC of −04.This offset is used in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone in Canada and the North American Eastern Time Zone during daylight saving time , in the Caribbean region this is considered as the Eastern Caribbean timezone...
) in the summer.
The settlement is not accessible by road, although it has regular air service from Bearskin Airlines
Bearskin Airlines
Bearskin Lake Air Services Ltd., trading as Bearskin Airlines, is a regional airline based in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada. It operates services in northern Ontario and Manitoba...
and Wasaya Airways
Wasaya Airways
Wasaya Airways LP is a 100% First Nations owned domestic airline with its headquarters in Thunder Bay, Northern Ontario...
.
Wapekeka 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.
History
The Wapekeka reserves are within the boundaries of the territory described by the 1929-30 Adhesion to Treaty 9Treaty 9
Treaty 9 was an agreement established in July, 1905, between the Government of Canada in the name of King Edward VII and various First Nations in northern Ontario. One First Nation community in the bordering Abitibi region of northwestern Quebec is included in this treaty...
(James Bay Treaty of 1905). In 1947, beginnings of Angling Lake community was formed as a satellite community used in winter by families from Big Trout Lake whose traplines were located in the area. Beginning in 1960, permanent communities apart from the Big Trout Lake Band were established. These communities were Kingfisher Lake
Kingfisher First Nation
Kingfisher First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation located north of Sioux Lookout, Ontario. It is accessible by air all year round, waterways during summer and ice roads in winter...
, Wunnumin Lake
Wunnumin Lake First Nation
Wunnumin Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation located 360 km northeast of Sioux Lookout in Ontario, Canada...
, Bearskin Lake
Bearskin Lake First Nation
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...
, Kasabonika
Kasabonika First Nation
Kasabonika Lake First Nation or Kasabonika First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation located north of Sioux Lookout, Ontario. There are no roads into the community and the only access is through Kasabonika Airport...
, Muskrat Dam, Sachigo Lake
Sachigo Lake First Nation
Sachigo Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation in Unorganized Kenora District in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It is located on Sachigo Lake, part of the Sachigo River system and Hudson Bay drainage basin, approximately north of the town of Sioux Lookout...
and Wapekeka. Wapekeka received official Band status and two reserves in 1979. On August 28, 1981, the Angling Lake Band officially changed its name to Wapekeka First Nation.
Governance
The current chief is Chief Norman Brown, Deputy Chief Ananias Winter, Councillor Elsie Brown, Councillor Donald Brown Sr, Councillor Clara Winnepetonga.Originally a member of the Kayahn Area Tribal Council (1977-1983), when the council disbanded, along with the communities of Kasabonika Lake, Kingfisher Lake
Kingfisher First Nation
Kingfisher First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation located north of Sioux Lookout, Ontario. It is accessible by air all year round, waterways during summer and ice roads in winter...
, Wunnumin Lake
Wunnumin Lake First Nation
Wunnumin Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation located 360 km northeast of Sioux Lookout in Ontario, Canada...
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...
, Wapekeka formed and today is part of the Shibogama First Nations Council
Shibogama First Nations Council
Shibogama First Nations Council , is a regional tribal council located in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Like many of the other regional councils, Shibogama is a member of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation...
.