Wunnumin Lake First Nation

Wunnumin Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation located 360 km northeast of Sioux Lookout, Ontario. More specifically in geological terms, it is located at coord|52|51|07|N|89|17|10|W|region:US. Its registered population in January 2007 was 565.

The Wunnumin Lake community can be accessed primarily through air transportation; however, during certain seasons one can also travel to this community using either the winter trails, winter road system or waterways.

Wunnumin Lake is policed by the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service, an Aboriginal based service.

History

Wunnumin Lake is called "Wanamini-zaaga'igan" meaning "Vermillion Lake", in reference to the vermillion-coloured clay about the lake. Legend says that "Wiisagejaak" (the "Crane "manidoo"") used to hunt for food, found "Big Beaver" that lived on the Pipestone River and chased "Big Beaver" and its baby beaver to the this area. When "Wiisagejaak" caught up with "Big Beaver" and its baby beaver, he killed the baby beaver and put it aside in this particular area with foliage; as the baby beaver laid there in this foliage, it bled from its wound. The blood from the baby beaver's wound seeped into the ground, staining the clay to this colour.

Residents of Wunnumin Lake originated from Big Beaver House, Ontario. After a large forest fire, the community at Big Beaver House relocated to two separate location, of which one was Wunnumin Lake. During 1929–1930 the leaders of Wunnumin Lake First Nation were summoned to Big Trout Lake to participate in the signing of the adhesion to Treaty 9. Its current government obtained their Reserve status on March 2, 1976.

Government

The current Chief is Rod Winnepetonga, and the Deputy Chief is Archie Wabasse. Gordon McKoop, Simon Winnepetonga and Sharon McKay serve as Band Councillor. Wunnumin Lake First Nation is affiliated with Shibogama Tribal Council.

Wunnumin Lake First Nation have two reserves: a 5855.1 hectare Wunnumin 1 Reserve and a 3794.4hectare Wunnumin 2 Reserve.

The current departments and programs offered by Wunnumin Lake First Nation are:
*Administration
*Crisis Prevention
*Economic Development
*Education Authority
*Health Authority
*Lands & Resources
*Public Works
*Social Workers
*Welfare

Official address

:Wunnumin Lake First Nation
PO Box 105
Wunnumin Lake, Ontario P0V 2Z0
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[http://www.wunnumin.ca/ Website]

External links

* [http://www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca/abdt/apps/connectivitysurvey.nsf/vAllCProfile_en/495.html First Nation Connectivity Profile for Sandy Lake First Nation] .
* [http://sdiprod2.inac.gc.ca/fnprofiles/FNProfiles_DETAILS.asp?BAND_NUMBER=217 INAC profile]