Historical Notes

The Saugeen and Nawash people were at one time part of the larger group of Southeastern Ojibway who settled in the “Sauking Territory” around the beginning of the 18th century. By the early 1800s, major settlements were located at the mouths of the Sauble and Sydenham Rivers and along Colpoys Bay. Their economy was based on small-scale agriculture, fishing, hunting and gathering.

Half of the labour force is involved in the service sector (almost a third in government, and the rest in other services) and a further one quarter in construction activities. The rest is involved primarily in agriculture, fishing and trapping, and transportation, communications and utility industries. Local industries include a campground and cottage rentals.

Educational Facilities

Elementary

• Cape Croker Junior School, JK-4 (federally operated)
• Cape Croker Senior School, grades 5-8 (federally operated)

Secondary

• students bused to Wiarton and Lionshead

Community Services and Facilities

• fire hall, pumper and tanker fire trucks
• one Roman Catholic, one United and one Wesley United church
• community centre, recreation centre, library
• health clinic with a Community Health Representative
• day care centre
• homemakers program, counselling services
• Ontario First Nations Policing Arrangements - four constables

Communications

• access to major non-Native radio and television stations and newspapers is available to the community; telephone services is provided by Bell Canada
• newspapers - NATIVEBEAT

Utilities

• water - water main system with a pumping system;
• sewage - sewage system under construction
• other waste - refuse site on reserve
• energy/electricity - Ontario Hydro