Sandy Bay First Nation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation
Marius, Manitoba
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| Reserve No. 5 | |||||||||||||||||
 Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation
Location in Manitoba
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| Country | Canada | ||||||||||||||||
| Province | Manitoba | ||||||||||||||||
| Settled | 1872, 1882 | ||||||||||||||||
| White Mud River Tootoogun | 1883 | ||||||||||||||||
| Government | |||||||||||||||||
| • Type | Band government | ||||||||||||||||
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 6,776 | ||||||||||||||||
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) | ||||||||||||||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | ||||||||||||||||
| Postal code |
R0H 0T0
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| Area code(s) | 204 | ||||||||||||||||
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The Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation (called Gaa-wiikwedaawangaag in the Ojibwe language) is a group of First Nation people living in Manitoba, Canada. They are mainly Ojibway and Dakota people.
As of 2018, the First Nation had about 6,776 members. In 2016, about 2,515 people lived on their main reserve. The Sandy Bay reserve, also known as Indian Reserve No. 5 or Marius, Manitoba, is located on the western shore of Lake Manitoba. Nearby areas include the rural municipalities of Alonsa and Gladstone Lakeview.
Contents
History of Sandy Bay First Nation
Early Beginnings and Treaties
The history of Sandy Bay began after Treaty 1 was signed in 1870. This important agreement took place in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
In 1871, a group of Ojibway and French mixed-bloods, sometimes called "half-breeds," asked for a special area of land to be set aside for them. This land would be their own reserve. Their request was approved.
Relocations and New Homes
The group was asked to move north, at least 20 miles away from their original location. This new reserve was called Whitemud. It was near where the town of Westbourne is today.
In 1873, the people of Whitemud and their reserve had to move again. This time, they moved straight north. Then, in 1877, they were told to move one more time. A surveyor had made a mistake with the land boundaries. They moved just one mile southeast to the place where Sandy Bay is now. After this move, the reserve was officially renamed Sandy Bay.
First Elections and Leaders
On July 21, 1884, Sandy Bay held its very first elections. This was a big step for the community. Francois Demarais was elected as the first Chief. Baptiste Spence and Wah-sah-hook were chosen as the first councilors. These leaders helped guide the community in its early days.
