Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Community Profile
Atikameksheng Anishnawbek are decendents of the Ojibway, Algonquin and Odawa Nations. In 1850, Chief Shawenekezhik, on behalf of the Whitefish Lake First Nation signed the Robinson-Huron Treaty granting the Canadian Government surrender of much of the First Nation’s land.
The First Nation is located approximately 19 km west of the Greater City of Sudbury. The current land base is 43,747 acres, much of it being deciduous and coniferous forests, surrounded by eight lakes, with eighteen lakes within its boundaries.
The total population is 881 members with 342 living on reserve and the remainder residing off reserve.
The community has grown significantly throughout the years. Currently there are 120 houses located in the community, 30 cottages owned by residents on various lakes throughout the First Nation. Along the northern shores of Lake Penage, 43.5 acres of land was surrendered for cottage leasing purposes. Currently, there are 97 lots that have road access to the cottages. Not only is it road accessible but electricity and telephone services are available for the cottagers.
The elementary school aged children and youth attend school off the First Nation in the surrounding towns, Lively, Copper Cliff, Sudbury and Whitefish. Secondary and Post Secondary students attend school off the First Nation.
Band Government falls under section 74 of the Indian Act. Elections are held every two years. There is currently one Chief position and 7 Councillor positions. The number of councilors is based on the amount of registered Band members, for every one hundred people one councilor is elected. Band meetings are held bi-weekly. Each council member holds a portfolio based upon the organizational structure of the First Nation. The First Nation Government belongs to a variety of political organizations such as the Assembly of First Nations, Chiefs of Ontario, Anishinabek Nation and North Shore Tribal Council.
There are a number of individual Band member operated businesses located in the community including a gas station and two convenience stores, a film production company, consulting services, a sawmill and logging businesses.
Address:
PO Box 39
Naughton, Ontario
P0M 2M0
Tel: 705-692-3651
Fax: 705-692-5010
Email: receptsec@wlfn.com
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