Big Grassy First Nation facts for kids
The Big Grassy First Nation (also called Mishkosiminiziibiing Anishinaabeg in the Ojibwe language) is an Ojibwe or Ontario Saulteaux First Nation community. They live in the Rainy River District, Ontario, close to Morson, Ontario.
This community, along with the Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation, is connected to an older group called the Assabaska Band of Saulteaux. In February 2012, the Big Grassy First Nation had 721 members. About 228 of these members lived on their reserve lands. The Big Grassy First Nation is part of the Anishinabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council. This is a group of First Nations that work together and are also part of the Grand Council of Treaty 3.
Their Lands: Reserves
The Big Grassy First Nation has six main reserve lands set aside for their community:
- Big Grassy River 35G, which is their main reserve, covering 3,615.10 hectares (8,933.1 acres).
- Lake of the Woods 35J, covering 1,408.70 hectares (3,481.0 acres).
- Naongashing 35A, covering 518 hectares (1,280 acres).
- Obabikong 35B, covering 712.30 hectares (1,760.1 acres).
- Assabaska, covering 1,098 hectares (2,710 acres). This land is shared with the Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation.
- Agency 30, covering 379 hectares (940 acres). This land is shared with 12 other First Nations.
In the past, the Assabaska Band of Saulteaux also had other lands. One was called Little Grassy River 35E. However, these lands later became part of the Lake of the Woods Provincial Park.
How They Are Led: Their Government
The Big Grassy First Nation is led by a Chief and five councillors. The current Chief is Lynn Indian. The councillors are Deborah Ludeman, Elvis Adams, Jeff Morison, and Glenn Archie. They are chosen by the community for a two-year term. Their term ended on January 6, 2021.
A Look Back: Their History
The Seven Generations Education Institute (SGEI) is a special college started by Indigenous people. It was created in 1985 by ten First Nations from the Rainy Lake area. The Big Grassy First Nation was one of these founding communities.
The ten First Nations that started SGEI are:
- Big Grassy
- Big Island
- Couchiching
- Lac La Croix
- Naicatchewenin
- Nigigoonsiminikaaning
- Ojibways of Onigaming
- Rainy River
- Seine River
- Mitaanjigaming
Each of these ten First Nations chooses one person to be on the board of directors for the Seven Generations Education Institute. This board helps guide the college, working with its main leader, the executive director.
