Getting to know Whitesand First Nation, Ontario
Getting to know Whitesand First Nation, Ontario. Whitesand First Nation is next to Armstrong Station, a non-First Nation town.
Link to the “Communities” Section
Link to the abandoned Canadian forces base. Closed in 1974
Link to Armstrong Station Ontario A community next to Whitesand First Nation
Video links to Armstrong Station NW Ontario
Link to article and video page about Whitesand First Nation
The Whitesand First Nation is an Ojibwa First Nation. They have reserved for themselves the 615-acre Whitesand reserve. The community of Armstrong Settlement is their main community, located coterminously with Armstrong, Thunder Bay District, Ontario. In June 2008, their total registered population was 1086 people, of which their on-reserve population was 311.
Originally located along the northwest shore of Lake Nipigon near Mount St. John, and near the Whitesand River which gives name to the group, Whitesand First Nation was without a home from 1942 when high water levels began eroding the shoreline and flooding out their buildings and burial grounds. Due to the economic influence of the Canadian National Railway, many Whitesand First Nation members settled along the CNR rail line. Largest of these settlements took place in Armstrong. Consequently, when a new Reserve was negotiated, it was located immediately north of that community.
Whitesand is policed by the OPP Ontario Provincial Police. The First Nation is part of the Independent First Nations Alliance of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, though Whitesand First Nation is located within the Robinson Superior Treaty area. The First Nation is also a member of Waaskiinaysay Ziibi Inc., an economic development corporation made up of five Lake Nipigon First Nations.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitesand_First_Nation
Whitesand First Nation Community Profile
PTO: Nishnawbe-Aski Nation
TC: Independent First Nations Alliance
Population: 1140 (On Reserve: 340; Off Reserve: 800)
PO Box 68, Armstrong, ON P0T 1A0
Phone: 807-583-2177 | Fax: 807-583-2170
http://www.ifna.ca/article/whitesand-120.asp
Welcome to IFNA
imageIndependent First Nations Alliance (IFNA)
Boozhoo and welcome to the Independent First Nations Alliance web site. Thank you for taking the time to view this collection of valuable information.
The Independent First Nations Alliance (IFNA) provides advisory services to its member of five First Nations, Whitesand First Nation, Lac Seul First Nation, Muskrat Dam First Nation, Pikangikum First Nation, and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug. The First Nation Chiefs Council provides policy and direction to the IFNA organization, in the areas of Education, Economic Development, Technical Services, Financial Management, and Governance.
Languages
Linguistic Affiliation: Ojibway / English. Mother Tongue: Ojibway
Governance
The Whitesand First Nation is part of the Independent First Nations Alliance of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, though it is located within the Robinson Superior Treaty area. The First Nation is also a member of Waaskiinaysay Ziibi Inc., an economic development corporation made up of five Lake Nipigon First Nations.
http://www.ifna.ca/article/whitesand-120.asp
Tribal Council: Independent First Nations Alliance (IFNA) Provincial Territorial Organization: Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN) Robinson-Superior
http://www.211ontario.ca/detail/en/171219
Sagatay Economic Development
Whitesand First Nation established Sagatay Economic Development LP in 2010. The Company was made into a reality after the First Nation realized the potential economic growth on its traditional territory. The Chief and Council of the Whitesand First Nation understood the importance of separating the Economic Development activities from the Administrative structure and this allowed for greater efficiency.
Sagatay, since 2010, has been administering the employment service agreement with Landore Resources, a junior mining company doing exploration on the Whitesand traditional territory. Sagatay also maintains roads in conjunction with the Ministry of Natural Resources, for our harvesting, hunting/fishing and traditional land use. Sagatay has also been a part of a Training and Skills Development phase within the First Nation. Our Workforce is current in any required skills that are needed now and/or foreseen in the upcoming projects.
In terms of future projects, Sagatay has a great future. The Chief and Council continues to finalize negotiations for a Co-Gen Pellet Plant, Whitesand Armstrong Rock Quarry, Old Whitesand Shoreline Project and various wood harvesting contracts with Resolute Forest Products. This positive growth will generate more opportunities for Sagatay in the very near future.
In looking to the Economic future of the traditional territory, Sagatay is laying the foundation for a strong workforce with our People, for our People and future endeavors.
http://www.whitesandfirstnation.com/sagatay-economic-development
Secondary Education: Grades 9 – 12
Upon graduation, our students are required to seek secondary education off-reserve. Armstrong Public School only administers the primary grades, up until Grade 8. It is the intent of the Boarding Home Program to identify homes and boarding parents that will house the students during the school year. The primary focus of the program is to provide a support system for our youth; to meet their needs where they are the true benefactors. Leaving the love and security of their families can make the transition to high school a difficult one for students. Our youth must adjust to their new surroundings in addition to facing the challenges of the secondary curriculum.
The Whitesand Youth are fortunate in that our community is road accessible and within travelling distance to Thunder Bay. To ensure that the family unit remains intact, the Band operates a monthly bus run, allowing students to travel home during the weekends.
Bus Passes
Students are issued one (1) monthly bus pass to get from School to boarding home. While residing in Thunder Bay. Whitesand is not responsible for lost or stolen bus passes. Parents will be responsible for replacing and /or providing some form of transportation.
2013-2014 Bus Schedule
Tickets and Passes
Bus fare $2.65
20 ride $40.00
Tickets 10 for $24
Day Pass $10.50
Monthly Youth $53.00
Health
Whitesand’s Health department will hold presentations for the High School Students on a monthly basis. Presentations focus on health such as fitness, public safety, safe sex, summer safety, etc. Other activities include outings that encourage staying fit.
Contact: Angela Nodin, Health Coordinator CHR: Brenda Kwandibens (807) 583-2671
http://www.whitesandfirstnation.com/secondary-education
“We have a very high unemployment rate, no chances for meaningful work. Forty-five per cent of the on-reserve population receives Ontario Works. That doesn’t include other assistive programs,” said Mackett. “Eight-five per cent of those recipients do not have grade 12.”
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