Wahnapitae First Nation

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Wahnapitae First Nation
Band No. 232
Map
Interactive map of Wahnapitae First Nation
PeopleAnishinaabeg
TreatyRobinson Huron Treaty
HeadquartersCapreol
ProvinceOntario
Land[1]
Main reserveWahnapitae 11
Land area10.69 km2
Population (2025)[1]
On reserve104
Off reserve695
Total population799
Government[1]
ChiefLarry Roque
Council
  • Bob Pitfield
  • Terry Roque
  • Marnie Anderson
  • Jamie Roque
Tribal Council[1]
Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations
Website
wahnapitaefn.ca

Wahnapitae First Nation is an Anishinaabeg First Nation in the Canadian province of Ontario.[2] It is located on the 10.69 km2 (4.13 sq mi) Wahnapitae 11 reserve on the northwestern shore of Lake Wanapitei, a semi-enclave bordered by the city of Greater Sudbury to the north and west.[3] The band is a signatory to the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850.[4]

History

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The name of the First Nation comes from the Anishinaabemowin name for Lake Wanapitei, Waanabidebiing, meaning "that place where the water is shaped like a tooth" and refers to the shape of the lake from above. In 1850, the band became signatories to the Robinson Huron Treaty as "Tagawinini and his Band".[4][5]

The bands Chief, Tahgaiwenene, was one of three indigenous representatives selected to address Governor General James Bruce and Crown representative William Benjamin Robinson during negotiations at Garden River First Nation.[6] Children of the band were sent to Jesuit day schools at Wiikwemkoong First Nation, which later became the Spanish Indian Residential Schools in 1913 until their closure in the 1960s.[6]

Demographics

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For statistical purposes, the First Nation is part of the Greater Sudbury Census Metropolitan Area (CMA).[7] In 2025, The First Nation had a population of 799 with 104 living on reserve at Wahnapitae 11.

Economy

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Hiawatha's Restaurant and Marina, formerly Rocky's, is a long-established restaurant in the community with five cabin rentals.[8][9] A nurse practitioner clinic, the Norman Recollet Health Centre, opened in 2019, and a 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2) sound stage was completed in 2025.[10][11]

The First Nation has also signed mining agreements with Vale Canada, Glencore, and KGHM.[12] For postal delivery and telephone exchange purposes, the First Nation is considered part of the nearby Greater Sudbury community of Capreol.

Government

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The First Nation is governed by a council which consists of five elected positions, including Chief. It is also a member of the Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations tribal council.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Wahnapitae Profile". Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. 18 March 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  2. ^ Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Place names - Wahnapitae". geonames.nrcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  3. ^ Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Place names - Wahnapitae 11". geonames.nrcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  4. ^ a b "Treaty Signatories". www.waawiindamaagewin.com. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  5. ^ "List of First Nations entitled to treaty annuities". www.sac-isc.gc.ca. Indigenous Services Canada. Archived from the original on 2025-08-28. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  6. ^ a b Macron, Jason (2024-10-30). "Then & Now: A brief history of local Indigenous communities". Sudbury.com. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  7. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-02-09). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population, Corresponding census subdivision (CSD)". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  8. ^ Frommer, Molly; Bertrand, Dan (2023-01-22). "New Indigenous restaurant to open on the shores of Wanapitei Lake". CTV News. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  9. ^ Kruzel, Hugh (2023-07-17). "Nickel and Dining: Hiawatha's has great food and a million-dollar view". The Sudbury Star. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  10. ^ Durnan, Matt (2019-11-04). "A big boost for primary health care in Wahnapitae First Nation". Sudbury.com. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  11. ^ Ulrichsen, Heidi (2025-03-27). "'Massive' new film and TV studio opens on Wahnapitae First Nation". Sudbury.com. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  12. ^ Migneault, Jonathan (2014-03-10). "First Nation takes proactive approach with mining companies". Northern Ontario Business. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
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46°46′23″N 80°48′40″W / 46.77306°N 80.81111°W / 46.77306; -80.81111