Wiikwemkoong First Nation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wiikwemkong
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| Wiikwemkong Unceded Reserve | |
Welcome sign
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| Nickname(s):
Wiiki
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 Wiikwemkong
Location in Southern Ontario
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| District | Manitoulin |
| First Nation | Wiikwemkoong |
| Government | |
| • Type | First Nation |
| Area | |
| • Land | 412.97 km2 (159.45 sq mi) |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 8,431 |
| • Density | 6.3/km2 (16/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Postal code span |
P0P 2J0
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| Area code(s) | 705 |
| Website | www.wiikwemkoong.ca |
The Wiikwemkong First Nation is a First Nation community located on Manitoulin Island in Northern Ontario, Canada. It is also known as the Wiikwemkong Unceded Territory. This means the land was never given up to the government by a treaty or other agreement.
The name Wiikwemkong comes from the Ojibwe language. It means "at the bay with a gently sloping bottom." The community is home to Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples. These groups are part of the Council of Three Fires.
Contents
About Wiikwemkong
Wiikwemkong is a special place because it is an unceded Indigenous reserve in Canada. This means the First Nation has kept its original rights to the land. The community changed its name from Manitoulin Unceded Indian Reserve in 1968. In 2014, its constitution was approved, and the name became Wiikwemkong Unceded Territory.
Land and Location
Wiikwemkong is on a large piece of land at the eastern end of Manitoulin Island. This land is connected to the rest of the island by a narrow strip of land. The reserve covers about 413 square kilometers (159 square miles). This makes it the fifth-largest First Nation reserve in Canada.
A park called Point Grondine Park also belongs to the Wiikwemkong community. This park is on the mainland, near Killarney. It was opened in 2015.
Community Life
Besides the main area of Wiikwemkong, there are smaller settlements. These include Buzwah, Kaboni, and South Bay. The community has five churches, two elementary schools, and a high school. There are also two health clinics that offer basic services.
Getting Around
The main road in Wiikwemkong is Wiikwemkong Way. It connects to Highway 6. The closest airport is in Manitowaning, but it does not have commercial flights. A bus service connects Wiikwemkong to other places on Manitoulin Island and to Sudbury, Ontario, a larger city.
History of the Territory
From 1836 to 1862, a big part of Manitoulin Island was set aside as the "Manitoulin Island Indian Reserve." Later, in 1850, treaties were signed to create First Nation reserves on Crown Land. These treaties were meant to set aside land for First Nations peoples.
Treaties and Land Claims
In 1862, most of the islands were given to the Canadian government. This was for new settlers who were not Indigenous. New reserves were created in other areas. However, two First Nation groups living in what is now Wiikwemkong said they did not agree to this treaty. They continued to live on their land.
In 1968, three First Nation groups joined together. These were the Manitoulin Island Unceded Indian Reserve, Point Grondine, and South Bay. This joining created the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve.
The community has been working with the Canadian government on land claims. In 1984, they filed a claim about the islands around Wikwemikong. Negotiations started again in 2007 and are still ongoing.
Culture and Events
Wiikwemkong is famous for its annual Cultural Festival, also known as the Wiikwemkoong Pow-Wow. This event happens every Civic Holiday weekend, which is the first weekend in August.
The Pow-Wow
The Wiikwemkoong Pow-Wow is known as the largest and oldest pow-wow in Eastern Canada. It is a major event in North America. Many Indigenous dancers come to compete in different styles, like traditional, grass, jingle, and fancy dancing.
Theatre Group
Wiikwemkoong is also home to a professional theatre company called De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group. This group creates and performs plays about First Nations life and culture. They often perform in the ruins of a mission building next to Holy Cross Church.
Notable People
Many talented people come from Wiikwemkong, including:
- Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, a strong supporter of Indigenous women's rights.
- Josephine Mandamin, an activist who worked to protect water.
- Leonard S. Mandamin, a judge in the Federal Court of Canada.
- Daphne Odjig, a well-known Odawa/Potawatomi artist.
- Autumn Peltier, a young water activist.
- Sladen Peltier, an actor.
- Peggy Margaret Pitawanakwat, the first woman chief of the community in 1997.
- Joseph Shawana, a chef.
- Crystal Shawanda, a country music singer and songwriter.
- Kelly Babstock, a professional hockey player in the PWHL.
- Chris Simon, a former NHL hockey player.
- Shayne Corson, a former NHL hockey player.
