Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation is a First Nation community located 35 km east of Dryden, Ontario. The community currently has approximately 225 individuals living in the community, and another 300 residing in the local area and elsewhere. Originally established in 1884, the reserve has a land base of just over 5200 hectares.

History of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation

The Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation originates from the great Ojibway Nation of the Great Lakes region of North America. This group extends west, starting from Ontario, Canada to the North Central part of the United States. The Eagle Lake First Nation and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation were originally a single community with villages on Eagle Lake and what is now called Dinorwic Lake. When the reserve system was put into place Indian Reserve # 27 was allocated two separate parcels of land and each community formed their own governance.

The tradition of harvesting wild rice remains an important part of the cultural history of this community.

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation – Today

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation people are part of Treaty #3, a member of the Bimose Tribal Council, and the Grand Council of Treaty 3 (a Tribal political organization representing 28 First Nations in Northwestern Ontario and 2 in Southeastern Manitoba).

The Nation maintains its culture through ceremonies and teachings, Native language classes in the school, and hosts an annual traditional Powwow on the September long weekend.

The formal leadership of the community is through an election of Chief and Council determined by a vote by community members. The current governance of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation consists of Chief Ruben Cantin and three Councillors; Ron Williams, Lana Kooshet and Tom Favelle.

The community owns and operates a tree nursery and greenhouse complex as well as wild rice processing plant. The tree nursery has the capacity to produce 6 million seedlings annually, and is an important contributor to supporting sustainable forestry in the region.

The head office of Two Feathers Forest Products, LP is located in Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation.

Visit the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation online profile for more information.