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Association of Iroquois
and Allied Indians

First Nations of Treaty

Independent First Nations
Nishnawbe-Aski Nation
Political Confederacy
Union of Ontario Indians
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Deer Lake First Nation
P.O. Box 39
DEER LAKE, ON
POV 1NO
Chief Royal Meekis
Ph: (807) 775-2141/2103
Fax: (807) 775-2220
royalmeekis@knet.ca
On-Reserve Population:  585 (INAC, 1991)
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Land Base: 1654 ha
Languages
Linguistic Affiliation: Algonkian (Cree, Ojibway)
Mother Tongue: Information not available.

Affiliations
TC: None
PTO: Nishnawbe-Aski Nation

Electoral Ridings
(F) Kenora - Rainy River
(P) Kenora

 

 
Historical Notes

The Deer Lake reserve is within the boundaries of the territory described by the Winnipeg Treaty of 1875 -- Treaty No. 5. The James Bay Treaty No. 9 Commissioners' report notes that a Band of Indians residing the vicinity of Deer Lake, within the territory included in Treaty No. 5, signed an adhesion to the Treaty on June 9, 1910 that provided for a reserve in the proportion of 32 acres per capita. The reserve was never designated, and Band members relocated to Sandy Lake.

The 1929-1930 Adhesion to Treaty No. 9 approved and confirmed the establishment of a reserve around Sandy Lake Narrows for the Deer Lake Band, whose numbers had increased greatly since 1910 by the addition of new members who had migrated from Manitoba. In 1985, Deer Lake split into two separate Bands, Deer Lake and Sandy Lake. Deer Lake achieved full Band status in 1985.
 
 
Industries

Trapping, fishing and forestry are principal occupations. Local industries include: sawmill, fishing camp, two general stores, coffee shop, and two tourist camps.
 
 

Educational Facilities

Elementary

  • David Meekis Memorial School, K-8 (First Nation operated)

Secondary

  • students board in Sioux Lookout
  • WAHSA Distance Education Program (secondary education from Sioux Lookout via Wawatay radio)
 
 

Community Services and Facilities

  • some firefighting equipment available on reserve
  • one Mennonite, one United and one Pentecostal church
  • recreation hall, baseball field, hockey rink
  • nursing station with two full-time nurses
  • access to Sioux Lookout Zone Hospital; hospital services also available in Red Lake
  • air ambulance service available as needed
  • Child and Family Services worker provided through Tikinagan Child and Family Services in Sioux Lookout
  • O.P.P. Red Lake Detachment
  • Northern Air Patrol from Sioux Lookout
 
 

Communications

  • telephone - Bell Canada
  • radio - Wawatay Network, community radio station
  • newspapers - Wawatay News, one monthly from Sioux Lookout
  • television - tow privately owned and operated satellite dishes
 
 

Utilities

  • water - water system for school only
  • sewage - separate sanitary mains for school and nursing station only
  • other waste - landfill site on reserve
  • energy/electricity - Ontario Hydro; school has its own diesel generator
 
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