Bearskin Lake First Nation

Aerial view of Bearskin Lake First Nation on Michikan Lake

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 March, 2014, was 900, of which their on-reserve population was 461.

Three settlements make up the Bearskin Lake First Nation. Originally located on Bearskin Lake, their main community moved to its present site on Michikan (Fish Trap) Lake in the 1930s. Their main settlement, located on Michikan Lake is accessible only by air or winter road. The main village is situated on the west shore of the lake and all three communities are tied to one another by all weather gravel roads. The First Nation still retains the 12,626.3 ha Bearskin Lake Indian Reserve.

Prior to achieving full Band and reserve status in 1975, Bearskin was a satellite community of the Big Trout Lake First Nation. 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.

Bearskin Lake is policed 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: George Chapman, Cecilia Fiddler, George Kamenawatamin, and Roderick Kamenawatamin.

External links

• Chiefs of Ontario profile
• AANDC profile

The Numbered Treaties: Treaty Nine Numbered Treaties Treaty 1 Treaty 2 Treaty 3 Treaty 4 Treaty 5 Treaty 6 Treaty 7 Treaty 8 Treaty 9 Treaty 10 Treaty 11 Treaty Nine Nations Abitibiwinni First Nation (Quebec) Albany First Nation Aroland First Nation Attawapiskat First Nation Bearskin Lake First Nation Brunswick House First Nation Cat Lake First Nation Chapleau Cree First Nation Chapleau Ojibway First Nation Constance Lake First Nation Eabametoong First Nation Flying Post First Nation Fort Severn First Nation Ginoogaming First Nation Kasabonika First Nation Keewaywin First Nation Kingfisher First Nation Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation Marten Falls First Nation Matachewan First Nation Mishkeegogamang First Nation Missanabie Cree First Nation Neskantaga First Nation Nibinamik First Nation Mattagami First Nation Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation McDowell Lake First Nation Moose Cree First Nation North Caribou Lake First Nation Sachigo Lake First Nation Slate Falls Nation Taykwa Tagamou Nation Wahgoshig First Nation Wapekeka First Nation Wawakapewin First Nation Webequie First Nation Weenusk First Nation Wunnumin Lake First Nation

Kenora District, Ontario Cities Dryden Kenora Towns Red Lake Sioux Lookout Townships Ear Falls Ignace Machin Pickle Lake Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls Indian reserves Attawapiskat 91A Bearskin Lake Cat Lake 63C Deer Lake Eagle Lake 27 English River 21 Fort Albany 67 (part) Fort Hope 64 Fort Severn 89 Kasabonika Lake Keewaywin Kenora 38B Kingfisher Lake 1 Kitchenuhmaykoosib Aaki 84 Lac Seul 28 Lake of the Woods 31G Lake of the Woods 37 Marten Falls 65 Muskrat Dam Lake Neskantaga North Spirit Lake Northwest Angle 33B Osnaburgh 63B Pikangikum 14 Poplar Hill Rat Portage 38A Sabaskong Bay 35C and 35D Sachigo Lake 1 and 2 Sandy Lake 88 Shoal Lake 39A (part) Shoal Lake 40 (part) Shoal Lake 34B2 The Dalles 38C Wabaseemoong Wabauskang 21 Wabigoon Lake 27 Wapekeka 1 and 2 Wawakapewin Weagamow Lake 87 Whitefish Bay 32A Whitefish Bay 33A Whitefish Bay 34A Wunnumin 1 and 2 Indian settlements Lansdowne House McDowell Lake Peawanuck Slate Falls Summer Beaver Unorganized areas Unorganized Kenora See also Communities in Kenora District Census divisions of Ontario

Coordinates: 53°54′58″N 90°58′19″W / 53.91611°N 90.97194°W / 53.91611; -90.97194