Historical Notes

The Ojibway people living on the north shore of Lake Superior (ancestors of Long Lake No. 58 Fist Nation people) subsisted by hunting, fishing and gathering. As the fur trade moved into the Lake Superior area, they expanded their economic activities to include hunting and trapping for trade purposes. By the early 19th century, Ojibway hunting ranges had evolved into well-defined trapping territories. In about 1800 the North West Company built the Long Lake Fort, said to have been the site of an old French post.

The Long Lake reserve is within the boundaries of the territory described by the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850 and was confirmed by Order-in-Council in 1914. The original reserve area was located east and south of its present location, but a 1887 survey indicated that the land was not suitable for the installation of services, so the reserve was moved to its present site. In 1907, after the signing of the James Bay Treaty of 1905 – Treaty No. 9, the names of 65 members of the Long Lake Band were transferred from the Robinson-Superior annuity pay list (Long Lake No. 58) to the annuity pay list for Treaty No.9 (Long Lake No. 77 – Ginoogaming).

Almost two thirds of workers are concentrated in government service activities, with a further one fifth in manufacturing. A few are involved in forestry and in non-government service industries. Local industries include a confectionery.

Educational Facilities

Elementary

• students bused to Longlac

Secondary

• students bused to Geraldton

Community Services and Facilities

• fire protection services provided by Longlac Fire Department
• Roman Catholic church
• skating rink, baseball diamond
• health clinic with a Community Health Representative
• hospital and ambulance services available in Geraldton
• community school bus transports children to/from Geraldton
• day care centre
• Child and Family Services worker provided through Dilico Child and Family Services in Thunder Bay
• Ontario First Nations Policing Arrangements - three constables
• O.P.P. Longlac Detachment

Communications

• telephone - Bell Canada
• radio - CBQ-AM (CBC Northern Network)
• newspapers - one daily from Thunder Bay, on weekly from Longlac, one weekly from Geraldton
• television - CBC, TVOntario, community satellite dish

Utilities

• water - community system connected to the Town of Longlac water supply system
• sewage - community system connected to the Town of Longlac sewage system
• other waste - Town of Longlac landfill site
• energy/electricity - Ontario Hydro