Turnor Lake facts for kids
Turnor Lake is a community in Saskatchewan, Canada. It is located on the southern shore of a lake with the same name. You can get there by taking Highway 909 from Highway 155. The community is made up of two parts: the Northern Hamlet of Turnor Lake and the Turnor Lake 193B area, which is part of the Birch Narrows First Nation.
In 2011, the total population of both areas was 598 people. The Northern Hamlet of Turnor Lake had 179 residents, and the Birch Narrows (Turnor Lake 193B) area had 419 residents.
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History of Turnor Lake
The lake where the community is located was once known as Island Lake, or "Lac des Isles" in French.
Early Settlement and Growth
In 1895, records show that about five families, or 25 people, lived in the Birch Narrows area. Later, in 1911, a priest named Father Penard wrote that six or seven families lived at "le Detroit du Bouleau," which means "Birch Narrows." This area was about 35 miles east of La Loche.
In 1938, another priest, Father Ducharme, helped build a chapel in the community. This was an important place for the people living there.
Relocation of Clear Lake Residents
In 1966, the people who lived in a nearby place called Clear Lake moved to Turnor Lake. The Piercy Report from 1944 stated that Clear Lake had about 60 residents at that time.
Community Population
The population of Turnor Lake changes over time. In the 2021 Census, conducted by Statistics Canada, the Northern Hamlet of Turnor Lake had 154 people. This was a small increase from its population of 149 people in 2016.
The community is built on a land area of about 5.07 square kilometers (about 1.96 square miles).
Birch Narrows Dene Nation
The Birch Narrows Dene Nation is an Indigenous community connected to Turnor Lake. As of June 2012, this Nation had 409 members living on their reserve lands. Another 299 members lived in other places off the reserve.
The Birch Narrows Dene Nation works with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC). This council helps support several First Nations communities in the region.
Birch Narrows Dene Nation Lands
The Birch Narrows Dene Nation has land at three different locations:
- Turnor Lake 193B: This area is about 296.7 hectares (733 acres) and is right next to the Northern Hamlet of Turnor Lake.
- Churchill Lake 193A: This land is about 159.8 hectares (395 acres). It includes the historic site of Clear Lake, which is where Churchill Lake and Frobisher Lake meet.
- Turnor Lake 194: This is the largest area, about 2445.9 hectares (6044 acres). It is located on Peter Pond Lake, east of Dillon.
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