Historical Notes

The Salteaux Ojibway people (ancestors of Ojibways of Onegaming First Nation people) inhabited the Ontario portion of the area subsequently covered by the Northwest Angle Treaty of 1873 – Treaty No. 3. Their economy was based on fishing, hunting, gathering, trapping, the harvesting of wild rice and some horticulture, until the late 18th century when they became involved in the fur trade with the Hudson’s Bay Company.

The Sabaskong Bay reserve was confirmed in 1920, but in the 1930’s the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs moved the people to a new site which was closer to the highway systems. The Ojibways of Onegaming achieved legal Band status in 1964, when the Assabaska Band split into the Big Grassy and Ojibways of Onegaming Bands. In 1982 the Band formally changed its name from Sabaskong to Ojibways of Onegaming. The Ojibways of Onegaming have entered into an Alternative Funding Arrangement (AFA) with the federal government in a move towards achieving self-government.

Trapping, forestry, fishing, wild rice harvesting and seasonal guiding are principal occupations. Almost four fifths of all workers are employed in the government service industries sector. Construction and non-government service industries each account for a further one tenth, with the remainder concentrated in transportation, communications and other utility industries, as well as in miscellaneous commercial activities. Local industries include: outpost camp (owned and operated by First Nation), arcade/convenience store.

Educational Facilities

Elementary

• Onegaming Elementary School, K-8 (First Nation operated)

Secondary

• Onegaming Elementary School, grades 9-12 (First Nation operated)

Community Services and Facilities

• fire hall, fire truck
• community hall, ice rink, baseball diamond, gymnasium
• health clinic with a Community Health Representative; nurse visits on a need basis only
• hospital services available in Emo
• day care centre
• homemakers program
• Child and Family Services worker provided through Weech-it-te-win Child and Family Services in Fort Frances
• Ontario First Nations Policing Arrangements - one constable
• O.P.P. Nestor Falls Detachment

Communications

• telephone - Bell Canada
• radio - CFOB-AM, CJRL-AM
• newspapers - two dailies from Winnipeg and Kenora, one weekly from Fort Frances
• television - CBWT (CBC affiliate - Winnipeg), TVOntario, satellite dish for cable channels

Utilities

• water - water main system with pumping station and chlorination treatment facility;
• sewage - septic system
• other waste - refuse site on reserve
• energy/electricity - Ontario Hydro