Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Muskrat Dam Lake
Indian reserve
Muskrat Dam Lake Indian Reserve
Muskrat Dam Lake Location in Ontario
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
District	Kenora
First Nation	Muskrat Dam Lake
Area
• Land	27.4 km2 (10.6 sq mi)
Population  (2016)
• Total	281
• Density	10.3/km2 (27/sq mi)

The Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation (Severn Ojibwa: ᐗᒐᐡᑾᓂᒥᐠ ᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ) is a self-governing Oji-Cree community located in Northern Ontario, Canada. They live on the Muskrat Dam Lake reserve, which covers about 1,940 hectares (or 4,790 acres). This reserve is found on Muskrat Dam Lake in the Kenora District. The small community of Muskrat Dam, Ontario, is also located on this reserve.

As of June 2008, there were 387 people registered with the First Nation. About 195 of them lived on the reserve. The main way to get to the reserve is by air, using the Muskrat Dam Airport. The community is kept safe by the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service, which is a police force for Aboriginal communities.

History of Muskrat Dam Lake

The Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation became part of a major agreement called Treaty 9 in 1929-1930. This treaty was signed between First Nations and the Canadian government.

The people of Muskrat Dam have strong historical ties to the Bearskin Lake community. Many families moved from Bearskin Lake to Muskrat Dam Lake. Some of the first families to move included Tommy and Victoria Beardy, Jeremiah and Juliet Duncan, Moses and Eunice Fiddler, Jake and Esther Beardy, and Roderick and Effie Fiddler. Later, Billy Fiddler and Moses Fiddler's mother, Nainee, also joined them.

Because there were many natural resources nearby, the community lived off the land. They enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapping animals, and logging trees. The community of Weagamow Lake, Ontario helped them set up a sawmill. They also helped by flying in tools, gas, and groceries.

Before it officially became its own reserve in 1976, Muskrat Dam was connected to the Big Trout Lake community.

How Muskrat Dam Lake is Governed

The Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation is led by a Chief and Council. These leaders are chosen by the community through their own special election rules.

The current Chief is Gordon Walter Beardy. The council also includes a Deputy Chief and several Councillors. They work together to make decisions for the community.

The First Nation is part of the Independent First Nations Alliance. This alliance is a group of First Nations that work together. They are also part of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

In 2015, Stan Beardy was chosen as the new Chief. He was later confirmed as the rightful Chief by a federal court.

Notable People from Muskrat Dam Lake

• Gordon Beardy - He was a Bishop for the Anglican Church of Canada. He was the first Native diocesan bishop in Canada. He also served as the First Nation's Chief in 2002.
• Darryn Morris - A notable person from Muskrat Dam.