McDowell Lake First Nation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
MacDowell Lake
Mishi Sakahikaniing
|
|
|---|---|
| MacDowell Lake Indian Settlement | |
 MacDowell Lake
Location in Ontario
|
|
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Ontario |
| District | Kenora |
| First Nation | McDowell Lake |
| Area | |
| • Land | 1.94 km2 (0.75 sq mi) |
| Population
(2011)
|
|
| • Total | 0 |
| • Density | 0.0/km2 (0/sq mi) |
| Website | mcdowelllake.firstnation.ca |
The McDowell Lake First Nation is a small First Nation community in Northern Ontario, Canada. It is located about 155 kilometers (96 miles) northeast of Red Lake, Ontario. The community is on the central western shore of McDowell Lake.
The people of McDowell Lake First Nation speak Oji-Cree. In their language, the community is called Mishi Sakahikaniing. As of December 2007, there were 52 people officially registered as members. This First Nation is part of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
The community's official name is MacDowell Lake Indian Settlement. It is also known simply as MacDowell Lake, Ontario.
Contents
Getting to MacDowell Lake
The MacDowell Lake community is quite remote. You can reach it by special planes that can land on water (floatplanes) or snow (ski-equipped aircraft).
Travel in Winter
During winter, there are no regular roads that connect MacDowell Lake to other towns. However, people can travel using snowmobiles or snowshoes. They follow trails that branch off from winter ice roads. These ice roads connect nearby communities like Red Lake, North Spirit Lake, Deer Lake, and Sandy Lake First Nation.
History of McDowell Lake First Nation
The community of Misi-zhaaga'iganiing started in the 1940s. A trapper named Johnny Kenequanash established it. He chose the central western shore of McDowell Lake. The lake's Oji-Cree name is Misi-zhaaga'igan, which means "the grand lake."
Early Settlers and Connections
Misi-zhaaga'igan was an important waterway for people traveling by canoe. They used it to go north towards Windigo Lake or east towards Cat Lake. Soon after Johnny Kenequanash, the James family joined him and his family. Many members of the McDowell Lake First Nation used to be part of the North Caribou Lake First Nation. They also have strong connections with members of the Cat Lake First Nation.
Traditional Livelihoods
For many years, the main ways people made a living were by trapping animals for their fur or by commercial fishing. These activities helped the community to thrive.
Official Recognition and Land
In 1985, McDowell Lake became an official First Nation Band. Six other communities also gained this status at the same time. In December 1991, an important agreement was signed. The Governments of Canada and Ontario, along with the Nishnawbe Aski Nation and six First Nations (including McDowell Lake), agreed to set aside land for new Indian reserves. They also agreed to provide basic facilities for these communities.
In June 1992, the MacDowell Lake Indian Settlement was officially recognized. This meant that land was set aside for the community. The original area was about 4,455 hectares (about 10,000 acres). Later records show slightly different sizes, but the land remains for the community.
