History
Deer Lake First Nation, descendants of the Anishinaabe Tribes, is an Oji-Cree community located in the northern-most regions of Ontario. Traditionally semi-nomadic people, settlements were relocated as required based on seasonal elements and available food sources. Tribes were organized into smaller, subdivided “clans” and each individual clan was represented by an animal totem which symbolized the respective group’s strengths and attributes.
Due to Deer Lake First Nations’ remote positioning, the area was inaccessible during the trading era beginning in the 1700’s. Designated representatives from Deer Lake would travel to distant Hudson’s Bay Company posts to participate in trade dealings. Over the next century, depletion of animal populations, disease and starvation would greatly diminish the Anishinaabe numbers.
Deer Lake First Nation was one of the last Indigenous communities to remain untouched by colonization, remaining true to their cultural traditions until the early 1900’s. In 1910, Chief Robert Fiddler (originally of the Sucker Clan), signed Treaty #5 at the east end of Deer Lake. At that time, both Deer Lake and Sandy Lake Bands were united under this treaty.
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The 20th century would introduce contact from outside influences to Deer Lake First Nation, and also, increase band numbers as newcomers migrated to the Ontario region from Manitoba’s Island Lake area.
In 1985, Deer Lake First Nation and Sandy Lake First Nation became two distinct Nations, maintaining close contact to present day, based on family ties and historical connections.
Geography
Deer Lake First Nations is situated approximately 180 kilometers north of Red Lake, Ontario, occupying 1,653.6 hectares of land. The remote community is accessible year-round by air, and is connected to Sandy Lake and North Spirit Lake First Nations by snow/ice roads through winter months only.
Deer Lake First Nation is affiliated with the “Keewaytinook Okimakinak Northern Chiefs Council” and the “Nishnawbe Aski Nation”. More than 1,000 of Deer Lake’s 1,200 registered members live on-reserve.
Arts and Culture
The members of Deer Lake First Nation share a unique dialect of the traditional Anishinaabe language with their neighboring First Nation communities of Sandy Lake and North Spirit Lake, combining components of Beren’s River Ojibway and Severn Ojibway.
More than sixty percent of Deer Lake members are fluent in their ancestral language, with adults and Elders being the most proficient. In order to boost the rate of overall language knowledge, Oji-Cree immersion programs have been introduced into pre-school, kindergarten and early elementary curriculums.
The focus on Deer Lake First Nations’ commitment to preserving and expanding cultural knowledge within the community is apparent. October 2007 marked the celebration of Deer Lakes’ “Honoring Our Children and Our Families” Community Cultural Event. The festivities included a pow wow, workshops and traditional activities and cook-out.
Deer Lake First Nation is an active participant in the “Aboriginal Head Start Program” which involves “exchanges” between First Nations communities. A selected group of First Nations students and staff members exchange visits to communities in different provinces to tour and observe each other’s facilities. Ideas regarding culture, community facilities, services and programming are shared in an effort to network and gain new insight and knowledge.
Achievements and Progression
The “world-wide web” has literally changed the face of global education possibilities. In recognizing this opportunity, the Chiefs of Keewaytinook Okimakinak Tribal Council initiated such change in 1999 for its affiliated First Nations, including Deer Lake.
With the combined investments of Canada’s First Nations SchoolNet and FedNor, and funding through Industry Canada, Deer Lake First Nation became a participant in the “Smart Communities Demonstration Projects”.
Smart Communities have access to “CITC’s” (Communication Information Technology Centers) via high-speed Broadband Internet connections, Deer Lake First Nation being of one of five remote Ontario First Nations to be connected to the “Kuh-ke-nah Network”. Kuh-ke-nah, meaning “everyone-together” in Oji-Cree language, is an online network that delivers vital cultural, economic and educational material to communities that would otherwise have extremely limited access to such information.
Two of the most successful internet programs that have been introduced to Deer Lake First Nation are the “Tele-Health Centre” and the “Keewaytoonik Internet High School” or “KiHS”. Prior to the introduction of the online high school classes, students wishing to complete their grade twelve were required to relocate and board in another neighboring community, away from family and support systems.
The “Ga Wiianiniiganiitamagoyak Children’s Centre” (GWCC), is an innovative childcare center that has developed an Early Childhood Education Program, with classes offered through a virtual classroom setting. Due to the evident success of the program, Sandy Lake First Nation has also adopted the childcare program into their community.
January 2004 marked the official opening of the Deer Lake First Nation School, offering classes from kindergarten to grade ten. The 3,561 square foot community school can accommodate up to 354 students, with state of the art facilities. The First Nation operated school includes a multi-purpose facility for Aboriginal language and special education needs.
A full range of media connections are provided to Deer Lake First Nation and surrounding area by the “Wawatay Native Communication Society”, including television, radio and newspaper coverage.
Despite Deer Lake First Nations’ remote physical location, they are making great strides to surpass the obstacles that separate them from contemporary metropolis. Under the direction of their progressive Tribal Council and advancing internet technology, the community of Deer Lake First Nation is paving roads via newfound access to education and opportunity, bound to confidently lead them into a multifaceted future.
Just the Facts Please
(Source: 2006 Statistics Canada Census)
2006 Population 681
2001 Population 756
Population Fluctuation -9.9%
Land Area (square km) 17.84
Population Density (per square km) 38.2
Total Private Dwellings 213
Total Population 15 Years and Over 61.0%
Knowledge of Aboriginal Language 65.4%