Webequie First Nation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Webequie
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|
|---|---|
| Webequie Indian Reserve | |
 Webequie
Location in Ontario
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| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Ontario |
| District | Kenora |
| First Nation | Webequie |
| Area | |
| • Land | 303.41 km2 (117.15 sq mi) |
| Population
(2015)
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|
| • Total | 1,300 |
| • Density | 2.0/km2 (5/sq mi) |
| Website | www.webequie.ca |
Webequie First Nation is a community located in northern Ontario, Canada. It's on Eastwood Island, right on Winisk Lake. This special place is about 540 kilometers (336 miles) north of Thunder Bay.
Getting to Webequie is mostly by air, as there are no roads in the summer. People fly into Webequie Airport. In winter, they can use a special winter road that connects to other trails.
The Webequie First Nation has a large area of land called the Webequie Indian reserve. This land is set aside for them. Webequie is also part of larger groups like the Matawa First Nations and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. These groups help different First Nations work together.
In 2015, about 1320 people were part of the Webequie First Nation. More than 900 of them lived on the reserve. The reserve land is surrounded by the Unorganized Kenora District. The community is kept safe by the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service. This police service is based in Aboriginal communities.
A Brief History of Webequie
For a long time, Webequie was mistakenly grouped with another community called Fort Hope First Nation. This happened when important agreements, called Numbered Treaties, were made between the Canadian government and Aboriginal peoples.
The people of Webequie worked hard to be recognized as their own distinct group. In May 1985, they were finally seen as a separate First Nation. But their journey wasn't over. They continued to work until February 15, 2001, to get full reserve status for their land.
The name "Webequie" comes from the Anishinini language. The word webikwe means "shaking head."
Webequie in Media
The community of Webequie was featured in a short documentary film in 2016. This film was called The Road to Webequie. It helped share their story with more people.
Future Road Connections
In 2017, the government of Ontario made a promise to help build a new road. This road would connect Webequie and Nibinamik First Nation to the Northern Ontario Ring of Fire. It would also link them to Ontario Highway 599 at Pickle Lake. This new road would make it easier for people and goods to travel to and from the community.
