Shoal Lake 40 First Nation

Shoal Lake 40 First Nation (Ojibwe: Iskatewi-zaaga'iganiing 40)^[1] is an Ojibway or Ontario First Nation reserve located in the Eastman Region of Manitoba and the Kenora District of Ontario. The total registered population in December 2022 was 683, of which the on-reserve population was 306.^[2] The First Nation is a member of the Bimose Tribal Council, a Regional Chiefs' Council that is a member of the Grand Council of Treaty 3.

The community inhabits a man-made island. It is accessible via barge traffic from Iskatewizaagegan 39 First Nation's dock, located in the community of Kejick, Ontario, and in winter by ice roads. The construction of a new all-season road to link the community with the Trans-Canada Highway was secured after an agreement was reached between three levels of government on how the cost would be covered.^[3] The road, aptly named Freedom Road, was eventually built between 2017 and 2019.^[4]

The First Nation possesses basic infrastructure, limited retail outlets, and indoor and outdoor recreational facilities and provides local elementary schooling to grade 8.

History

Indian Bay and drinking water

In 1915 the City of Winnipeg expropriated over 3,000 acres of Shoal Lake 40 ancestral land, relocating a longstanding village site and over 100 residents. By 1919 this area became the intake facility for the Greater Winnipeg Water District Aqueduct, pumping approximately 85 million gallons per day to the city. The construction project involved the excavation of indigenous burial grounds and disinterment of human remains.^[5]^[6]

In 1980, both First Nation bands in the area (#39 and #40) planned to develop 350 cottage lots on Indian Bay, Shoal Lake. This project was opposed by the City of Winnipeg because of concerns about the safety of its drinking water, which is drawn from Indian Bay.^[7] The dispute was settled in 1989 when the Greater Winnipeg Water District placed $6 million in trust for Shoal Lake 40, with the interest to be used to fund alternative development projects. The agreement was conditional on a contribution of $3 million from the federal government.^[8] A tripartite agreement was finalized when a parallel agreement was signed between the federal government and Shoal Lake 40 in 1990.^[9]^[10] In the meantime, Shoal Lake began importing water by barge or truck at a substantial cost.^[9] A formal drinking water advisory was only announced in 1997.^[11]

In 2011, when the proposal for a new water treatment plant showed that the cost would be more than anticipated, the federal government refused to contribute the difference and the plan was abandoned. Instead, Shoal Lake proposed the construction of an all-weather road to guarantee safe year-round access to the reserve and for the importation of water.^[9]

Freedom Road and treatment facility

Shoal Lake 40 joined forces with the neighbouring Manitoba municipality of Reynolds to encourage the building of an all-weather road by two levels of government, in order to connect with the Trans-Canada Highway.^[9] In earlier years, the community obtained many necessary supplies and goods via the Greater Winnipeg Water District Railway as they were shipped to the aqueduct water intake site. This terminus site for the railway was also known as Waugh Station.

In 2015, the government agreed to pay for a design project for the study, but would not promise to pay for the construction of "Freedom Road" itself.^[12]^[13] Earlier in the year, the community's barge ferry failed to pass inspection and the local leadership declared a state of emergency.^[12] Funding was later approved and construction of the new road started in Spring 2017.^[14] Completion of the road in June 2019 has reconnected the community to the rest of Canada, allowing emergency services to enter easily, waste to be transported out, and residents to access health services outside of the community.^[15] The Freedom Road project intersects the eastbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy #1) at a point 3.7 km west of Route 301 in Falcon Beach, MB.

On September 15, 2021, a 33 million CAD water treatment facility was opened in the reserve, giving the reserve access to clean drinking water.^[11] The completion of the facility was due, in part, to a lower price tag thanks to the construction of the Freedom Road.^[11]

Reserves

This First Nation occupies three reserves:

2579 ha Shoal Lake 40, which serves as their main Reserve, containing the community of Indian Bay, Manitoba^[16]
172.4 ha Shoal Lake 34B2 Indian Reserve^[17]
379 ha Agency 30 Indian Reserve, which is shared with 12 other First Nations^[18]

Governance

Shoal Lake 40 First Nation elects their leadership through the Act Electoral System for two year terms.

Chief and Council

2014–Present: Chief Erwin Redsky and 4 Councillors: Brenda Freel, Herbert Green, Vernon Redsky and Billy Wahpay.^[19]
2012-2014: 2014–Present: Chief Erwin Redsky and 4 Councillors: Herbert Green, Vernon Redsky, Tania Bruyere, and Preston Green.^[20]^[19]
2010-2012: Chief Erwin Redsky and 4 Councillors: Tom Anderson, Marcella Meekis, Vernon Redsky and Billy Wahpay.

Media

Shoal Lake 40 was featured the 360° documentary experience film, Cut-Off VR^[21] which places the viewer in the middle of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's historic visit to Shoal Lake 40. Viewers also visit Cross Lake, where a state of emergency was declared after a wave of youth suicides. The film was created by Vice and Occupied VR. The documentary nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Immersive Experience.

References

^ https://211north.ca/first-nations/
^ "Registered Population (Shoal Lake No.40)". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. December 2022. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
^ Feds give more for Freedom Road. Winnipeg Free Press, 12 December 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
^ Government of Canada. "Shoal Lake 40 welcomes the opening of Freedom Road". Retrieved November 27, 2022.
^ Prodan, Cornelius S. (1979). "The Building of the Winnipeg Aqueduct". Manitoba Pageant. 24 (2). Manitoba Historical Society. ISSN 0025-2263. OCLC 1756630. Retrieved 2017-03-03.
^ Sarain Carson-Fox, Daryl Redsky (2016). CUT-OFF S1 Ep.1. VICELAND. Event occurs at 09:30. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
^ Shoal Lake Aqueduct, Winnipeg, Manitoba. The National History Committee of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, 1994. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
^ Agreements and Licenses - Urban Water Quality: Shoal Lake. Winnipeg Green Map - Source and Supply. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d At the mouth of the aqueduct, there's no water to drink. Winnipeg Free Press, 8 January 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
^ [1] "List of Selected Treaties, Intergovernmental Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding, Orders, Draft Documents, etc. of Specific Relevance to the Shoal Lake Watershed." Government of Manitoba, Dept. of Water Stewardship. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
^ ^a ^b ^c Cecco, Leyland (2021-09-16). "'About damn time': First Nation gets clean water after 24-year wait". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2021-09-16. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
^ ^a ^b Puxley, Chinta (25 Jun 2015). "Shoal Lake reserve residents weep as Ottawa balks at funding road construction". CBC News. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
^ Road to isolated Shoal Lake First Nation a long-awaited step in tangled history. CBC News, 17 December 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
^ Shoal Lake 40 celebrates start of on-reserve construction of Freedom Road. CTV News, 30 June 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
^ A century of water: As Winnipeg aqueduct turns 100, Shoal Lake finds freedom. CBC News, 2 June 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
^ Aboriginal Canada Portal - Shoal Lake No.40 Archived 2012-01-14 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
^ Aboriginal Canada Portal - Shoal Lake 34B2 Archived 2012-01-14 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
^ Aboriginal Canada Portal - Agency 30 Archived 2011-05-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
^ ^a ^b Hale, Alan S. (7 March 2014). "Erwin Redsky wins another term as chief of Shoal Lake 40, half of band council replaced". Kenora Daily Miner and News. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
^ Thompson, Jon (March 1, 2012). "Redsky returns as Shoal Lake 40 chief". Kenora Daily Miner and News. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
^ "VICELAND PRESENTS: CUT-OFF".

External links

49°36′45″N 95°08′41″W / 49.61250°N 95.14472°W / 49.61250; -95.14472

[1] ttps://211north.ca/first-nations/

[2] "Registered Population (Shoal Lake No.40)". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. December 2022. Retrieved 2021-09-16.

[3] Feds give more for Freedom Road. Winnipeg Free Press, 12 December 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.

[Government-of-4] Government of Canada. "Shoal Lake 40 welcomes the opening of Freedom Road". Retrieved November 27, 2022.

[manitobapageant-5] Prodan, Cornelius S. (1979). "The Building of the Winnipeg Aqueduct". Manitoba Pageant. 24 (2). Manitoba Historical Society. ISSN 0025-2263. OCLC 1756630. Retrieved 2017-03-03.

[vicelandcutoff-6] Sarain Carson-Fox, Daryl Redsky (2016). CUT-OFF S1 Ep.1. VICELAND. Event occurs at 09:30. Retrieved 2023-02-09.

[7] Shoal Lake Aqueduct, Winnipeg, Manitoba. The National History Committee of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, 1994. Retrieved 7 September 2011.

[8] Agreements and Licenses - Urban Water Quality: Shoal Lake. Winnipeg Green Map - Source and Supply. Retrieved 14 September 2011.

[aqueduct-9] At the mouth of the aqueduct, there's no water to drink. Winnipeg Free Press, 8 January 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2011.

[10] [1] "List of Selected Treaties, Intergovernmental Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding, Orders, Draft Documents, etc. of Specific Relevance to the Shoal Lake Watershed." Government of Manitoba, Dept. of Water Stewardship. Retrieved 14 September 2011.

[:0-11] Cecco, Leyland (2021-09-16). "'About damn time': First Nation gets clean water after 24-year wait". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2021-09-16. Retrieved 2021-09-16.

[fedsbalk-12] Puxley, Chinta (25 Jun 2015). "Shoal Lake reserve residents weep as Ottawa balks at funding road construction". CBC News. Retrieved 27 June 2015.

[13] Road to isolated Shoal Lake First Nation a long-awaited step in tangled history. CBC News, 17 December 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2016.

[14] Shoal Lake 40 celebrates start of on-reserve construction of Freedom Road. CTV News, 30 June 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2017.

[15] A century of water: As Winnipeg aqueduct turns 100, Shoal Lake finds freedom. CBC News, 2 June 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.

[16] Aboriginal Canada Portal - Shoal Lake No.40 Archived 2012-01-14 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 7 September 2011.

[17] Aboriginal Canada Portal - Shoal Lake 34B2 Archived 2012-01-14 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 7 September 2011.

[18] Aboriginal Canada Portal - Agency 30 Archived 2011-05-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 7 September 2011.

[2014election-19] Hale, Alan S. (7 March 2014). "Erwin Redsky wins another term as chief of Shoal Lake 40, half of band council replaced". Kenora Daily Miner and News. Retrieved 27 June 2015.

[20] Thompson, Jon (March 1, 2012). "Redsky returns as Shoal Lake 40 chief". Kenora Daily Miner and News. Retrieved 27 June 2015.

[21] "VICELAND PRESENTS: CUT-OFF".

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v t e Grand Council of Treaty 3
Anishinabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council	Animakee Wa Zhing 37 Big Grassy Naongashiing (Big Island) Northwest Angle 33 Onigaming Wauzhushk Onigum
Bimose Tribal Council	Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows) Eagle Lake Iskatewizaagegan (Shoal Lake) 39 Lac des Mille Lacs Naotkamegwanning (Whitefish Bay) Obashkaandagaang Bay Niisaachewan Shoal Lake 40 Wabaseemoong (Whitedog) Wabauskang Wabigoon Lake
Pwi-Di-Goo-Zing Ne-Yaa-Zhing Advisory Services	Couchiching Lac La Croix Mitaanjigamiing Naicatchewenin Nigigoonsiminikaaning Rainy River Seine River
Non-member Treaty 3 First Nations	Buffalo Point Lac Seul Sagkeeng (Fort Alexander) Saugeen

v t e Kenora District, Ontario
Cities	Dryden Kenora
Towns	Red Lake Sioux Lookout
Townships	Ear Falls Ignace Machin Pickle Lake Sioux Narrows–Nestor Falls
First Nations	Animakee Wa Zhing 37 Asubpeeschoseewagong Attawapiskat Bearskin Lake Big Grassy Buffalo Point Cat Lake Deer Lake Eabametoong Eagle Lake Fort Albany Fort Severn Iskatewizaagegan 39 Kasabonika Lake Kashechewan Keewaywin Kingfisher Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Lac Seul Marten Falls Mishkeegogamang Muskrat Dam Lake Naongashiing Naotkamegwanning Neskantaga Nibinamik Niisaachewan North Caribou Lake North Spirit Lake Northwest Angle 33 Obashkaandagaang Bay Onigaming Pikangikum Poplar Hill Sachigo Lake Sandy Lake Shoal Lake 40 Slate Falls Wabaseemoong Wabauskang Wabigoon Lake Wapekeka Wauzhushk Onigum Wawakapewin Webequie Weenusk Wunnumin Lake
Indian reserves	Agency 30 Attawapiskat 91 Attawapiskat 91A Bearskin Lake Cat Lake 63C The Dalles 38C Deer Lake Eagle Lake 27 English River 21 Fort Albany 67 (part) Fort Hope 64 Fort Severn 89 Kasabonika Lake Kee-Way-Win Kenora 38B Kingfisher 2A Kingfisher 3A Kingfisher Lake 1 Kitchenuhmaykoosib Aaki 84 Lac Seul 28 Lake of the Woods 31B Lake of the Woods 31C Lake of the Woods 31G Lake of the Woods 35J Lake of the Woods 37 Lake of the Woods 37B Marten Falls 65 Muskrat Dam Lake Naongashing 35A Neskantaga North Spirit Lake Northwest Angle 33B Northwest Angle 34C & 37B Obabikong 35B One Man Lake 29 Osnaburgh 63B Pikangikum 14 Poplar Hill Rat Portage 38A Sabaskong Bay 35C (part) Sabaskong Bay 35D Sabaskong Bay 35F (part) Sachigo Lake 1 Sachigo Lake 2 Sachigo Lake 3 Sandy Lake 88 Shoal Lake 31J Shoal Lake 34B1 Shoal Lake 34B2 Shoal Lake 37A (part) Shoal Lake 39 (part) Shoal Lake 39A (part) Shoal Lake 40 (part) Swan Lake 29 Wabaseemoong Wabauskang 21 Wabigoon Lake 27 Wapekeka 1 Wapekeka 2 Wawakapewin Weagamow Lake 87 Webequie Winisk 90 Whitefish Bay 32A Whitefish Bay 33A Whitefish Bay 34A Wunnumin 1 Wunnumin 2 Yellow Girl Bay 32B
Indian settlements	Kashechewan Kee Way Win Lansdowne House McDowell Lake Peawanuck Slate Falls Summer Beaver
Unorganized areas	Unorganized Kenora
Local services boards	Greater Oxdrift KeeMan Melgund Minaki Pellatt, Pelican, Umbach, Gidley Redditt Round Lake Wabigoon
Unincorporated communities	Balmertown Borups Corners Central Patricia Cochenour Dyment Eagle River Eton–Rugby Hudson Jaffray–Mellick Keewatin Madsen McKenzie Island Minnitaki Nestor Falls Norman Oxdrift Pickle Crow Rat Portage Sioux Narrows Starratt–Olsen Superior Junction Vermilion Bay
See also Communities in Kenora District Census divisions of Ontario

v t e Division No. 1, Manitoba (Eastern Manitoba)
Towns	Lac du Bonnet Powerview–Pine Falls
Local government districts	Pinawa
Rural municipalities	Alexander Lac du Bonnet Piney Reynolds Stuartburn Victoria Beach Whitemouth
First Nations	Animakee Wa Zhing 37 Buffalo Point Iskatewizaagegan 39 Shoal Lake 40
Indian reserves	Buffalo Point 36 Shoal Lake 37A (part) Shoal Lake 39 (part) Shoal Lake 39A (part) Shoal Lake 40 (part)
Unorganized areas	Unorganized Division No. 1
Unincorporated communities	Arbakka Badger Caliento Elma Gardenton Hadashville Hillside Beach Piney Prawda River Hills Ste. Rita St. Georges Seven Sisters Falls South Junction Sprague Stuartburn Sundown Vassar Vita Whitemouth Zhoda (part)
See also: Municipalities in Manitoba Census divisions of Manitoba 2015 municipal amalgamations