Couchiching First Nation facts for kids
The Couchiching First Nation is a First Nation community in Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Saulteaux people and speak the Ojibwe language. Their main homes are the Couchiching 16A and Agency 1 reserves, which are located near the town of Fort Frances in the Rainy River District. In their language, Ojibwe, they are called Gojijiing Anishinaabeg.
Contents
A Look at Their History
The ancestors of the Couchiching First Nation were known as Gojijiwininiwag, which means "Couchiching-men." They were also called the Rainy Lake and River Bands of Saulteaux. The word "couchiching" (gojijiing) means "at the inlet" in Ojibwe. This refers to Rainy Lake, which is known as Gojiji-zaaga'igan (Inlet Lake) in Ojibwe.
Originally, some members of the Couchiching First Nation lived further west. Others were voyageurs, who were travelers and traders from the east. In the late 1800s, they moved to the Fort Frances area. They did this to avoid conflicts happening at the time.
The government offered them land north of the town. However, the community felt it was too far from the trading post where they got supplies. Eventually, they settled on land that was known as Little Eagle land. They then changed its name to Couchiching.
Who Leads the Community?
The Couchiching First Nation is led by a Chief and a Council. These leaders are chosen by the community members.
Current Leadership
The current Chief is Richard Bruyere. He was elected on March 7, 2024. The community also has a council of six members who help govern. These council members are:
- Sandy Bruyere
- Lucille Morrisseau
- Randy Jones
- Kourtney Perrault
- Peggy Loyie
- David Bruyere
The Chief and Council will serve until March 2026.
Community Programs
The Couchiching First Nation runs many different programs for its members. These programs help support the community in various ways. There are more than a dozen programs offered within the reserve.
Wasaw Companies: Building for the Future
The Couchiching First Nation once lived in the Wasaw area, which was north of Frog Creek. This area was important in the 1800s for its forests and for harvesting wild rice. After 1909, the community had to move south. This was because of flooding and land being taken for railways and highways. They moved to an area along Sand Bay, east of Fort Frances.
What Does Wasaw Mean?
The word "Wasaw" (waasa) means "far" in the Ojibwe language, which is spoken by the Couchiching people.
Businesses for the Community
Today, the Couchiching First Nation has several businesses under the "Wasaw" name. These include:
- Wasaw Business Enterprises
- Wasaw Project Inc.
- Wasaw Construction Ltd.
- Wasaw Developments
- Wasaw Food Services, Inc.
These companies help create their own income for the community. This helps them build a strong economic base for the future.
Notable People from Couchiching First Nation
- Susan Blight, an artist
- Tara Houska, an advocate
Images for kids
-
The administration building of the Couchiching First Nation.
