Bearskin Lake First Nation ()
[Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation - Annual Report 2013-2014]
https://nanlegal.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/nalsc-annual-report-2013-14.pdf
/ref> is an Oji-Cree
The Anisininew or Oji-Cree are a First Nation in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Manitoba, residing in a band extending from the Missinaibi River region in Northeastern Ontario at the east to Lake Winnipeg at the west.
The Oji-Cree pe ...
First Nation reserve in Kenora District
Kenora District is a district and census division in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. The district seat is the City of Kenora.
It is geographically the largest division in Ontario: at , it covers 38 percent of the province's area, making it larger ...
, Ontario
Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...
, Canada, located north of Sioux Lookout
Sioux Lookout is a town in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, with a population of 5,838 people (up 10.8% since 2016). Known locally as the "Hub of the North", it is serviced by the Sioux Lookout Airport, Highway 72, and the Sioux Lookout railway ...
. Bearskin First Nation's total registered population was 900, of which their on-reserve population was 461.
Three settlements make up the Bearskin Lake First Nation. Originally located on Bearskin Lake to the southwest, their main community moved to its present site on Michikan Lake ("Fish Trap Lake") in the 1930s and is accessible only by air from Bearskin Lake Airport or winter road
A winter road is a seasonal road only usable during the winter, i.e. it has to be re-built every year. This road typically runs over land and over frozen lakes, rivers, swamps, and sea ice. Segments of a winter road that cross an expanse of flo ...
. The main village is situated on the west shore of the lake[ (reserve)] in which all three lie. The reserve also contains a segment of the Severn River, into which Michikan Lake flows, and of Severn Lake.
Prior to achieving full Band and reserve status in 1975, Bearskin was a satellite community of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Oji-Cree language, Oji-Cree: ᑭᐦᒋᓇᒣᑯᐦᓯᑊ ᐃᓂᓂᐧᐊᐠ (''Gichi-namegosib ininiwag''); unpointed: ᑭᒋᓇᒣᑯᓯᑊ ᐃᓂᓂᐧᐊᐠ or ᑭᐦᒋᓇᒣᑯᐦᓯᐱᐎᓂᓂᐗᐠ (''Gichi- ...
(Big Trout Lake First Nation), to the east. 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
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (ᐊᓂᐦᔑᓈᐯ ᐊᔅᑭ ᐃᔥᑯᓂᑲᓇᓐ ᐅᑭᒫᐎᓐ (''Anishinaabe-aski Ishkoniganan Ogimaawin''), unpointed: ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯ ᐊᔅᑭ ᐃᔥᑯᓂᐊᓇᓐ ᐅᑭᒪᐎᓐ; NAN for short) is a political orga ...
.
Bearskin Lake is police
The police are Law enforcement organization, a constituted body of Law enforcement officer, people empowered by a State (polity), state with the aim of Law enforcement, enforcing the law and protecting the Public order policing, public order ...
d by the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service, an Aboriginal-based service.
Governance
Bearskin First Nation is governed by Chief Rosemary McKay and her Deputy Chief Leonard "Wayne" Brown; their 3-year term began on April 1, 2014. In addition, the First Nation's Council is four councillors: Stuart Kamenawatamin, Gary Kamenawatamin, George Kamenawatamin, and Roderick Kamenawatamin.
External links
Chiefs of Ontario profileAANDC profile
References
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Communities in Kenora District
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Oji-Cree reserves in Ontario