Historical Notes

The Kingfisher reserve is within the boundaries of the territory described by the 1929-30 Adhesion to the James Bay Treaty of 1905 - Treaty No. 9. In 1808 the Hudson's Bay Company established an outpost at Big Beaver House, 12 km southwest of the present Kingfisher settlement. At the time, both the Kingfisher Lake and Wunnumin Lake people were summer residents at Big Beaver House which was serviced from Big Trout Lake, an outpost of Fort Severn.

In 1965, those people who still remained at Big Beaver House moved on to Kingfisher Lake. This new location was more central to their trapline areas and offered a better village site for future development than did Big Beaver House, which was surrounded by muskeg. In 1975 Kingfisher Lake achieved official Band status when it formally separated from the Big Trout Lake Band.

Industries

Trapping, fishing and forestry are principal occupations. Local industries include: store (First Nation operated), general store, laundromat, fur handling/supply shop, office equipment leasing store, tourist outpost, coffee shop/video game centre, craft shop, sawmill, tractor rental, various First Nation investments (including real estate) in Thunder Bay, and motel (to open in 1991).

Educational Facilities

Elementary

• Kamisquabika Public 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

• fire hall with some firefighting equipment
• one Anglican church, one all-denominational church
• First Nation / community hall, outdoor skating rink, baseball diamond, school gymnasium, library, communal garden
• small business centre
• health clinic with a Community Health Representative (satellite station operating out of nursing station in Round Lake)
• access to Sioux Lookout Zone Hospital by air ambulance
• Child and Family Services worker provided through Tikinagan Child and Family Services in Sioux Lookout
• O.P.P. Sioux Lookout Detachment
• Northern Air Patrol from Sioux Lookout

Communications

• telephone - Bell Canada service to 80 locations
• radio - community FM radio, Wawatay Network
• newspapers - Wawatay News, one monthly from Sioux Lookout
• television - TVOntario, Wawatay Network

Utilities

• water - separate water systems for school, laundromat and health clinic
• sewage - separate septic tanks for school, laundromat and health clinic
• other waste - refuse site operated by First Nation
• energy/electricity - Ontario Hydro