Lac La Croix First Nation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Neguaguon Lake 25D
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|---|---|
| Neguaguon Lake Indian Reserve No. 25D | |
 Neguaguon Lake 25D
Location in Ontario
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| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Ontario |
| District | Rainy River |
| First Nation | Lac La Croix |
| Area | |
| • Land | 62.70 km2 (24.21 sq mi) |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 118 |
| • Density | 1.9/km2 (5/sq mi) |
| Website | llcfn.ca |
The Lac La Croix First Nation (called Negwaakwaani-zaaga'igan in the Ojibwe language) is a group of Saulteaux First Nation people. They live in the Rainy River District in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Their home is close to the border between Ontario and Minnesota in the United States.
The community is about 200 kilometers (124 miles) northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario. In 2021, the First Nation had a population of 118 people living on their reserve.
Contents
How the First Nation is Governed
The Lac La Croix First Nation chooses its leaders using the Act Electoral System. This system means they elect a Chief and four councillors to lead their community.
Current Leaders
The current Chief is Carrie Atatise-Norwegian. She started her term in January 2022. The four councillors are Curtis Atatise, Carrie Atatise-Norwegian, Blair Whitefish, and Norman Jordan. Carrie Atatise-Norwegian is special because she is the first woman to be the Chief of Lac La Croix.
Working with Other First Nations
The Lac La Croix First Nation signed Treaty 3. This is an important agreement with the Canadian government. Because of this treaty, they are part of two larger groups:
- Pwi-Di-Goo-Zing Ne-Yaa-Zhing Advisory Services: This is a council of regional Chiefs.
- Grand Council of Treaty 3: This is a political group that helps many First Nation governments. These governments are located in northwestern Ontario and southeastern Manitoba.
History of Education
Seven Generations Education Institute (SGEI) is a special school for Aboriginal students. It offers education after high school. Ten different First Nations in the Rainy Lake area worked together to create this school in 1985.
Founding Nations
The ten First Nations that helped start 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 SGEI. The executive director leads the school's daily operations.
The Reserve Land
The First Nation has a special area of land called the Neguagon Lake Indian Reserve 25D. This land was once known as the Lac La Croix Indian Reserve 25D. It covers about 6,214 hectares (about 15,356 acres). This land was set aside for the First Nation.
Loss of Land
The First Nation also used to have another reserve called the Sturgeon Lake Indian Reserve 24C. However, in 1950, the Ontario Provincial Park Act took this land. It became part of Quetico Provincial Park.
Protecting the Lac La Croix Indian Pony
The reserve was also home to the last wild group of the Lac La Croix Indian Pony. This horse breed is now very rare and endangered. The Lac La Croix First Nation and other related Ojibwe people are working hard to protect these special ponies.
