North Caribou Lake First Nation


North Caribou Lake First Nation or Weagamow First Nation, sometimes also known as Round Lake First Nation, is an Oji-Cree First Nations band government who inhabit the Kenora District in northern Ontario, Canada. It is approximately by air north of Sioux Lookout. As of January 2008, the First Nations had a registered population of 928 people, of which their on-Reserve population was 677.

Name

Though the First Nation's official name registered with the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is "North Caribou Lake First Nation," the Nation is located on Weagamow Lake, thus also known as "Weagamow First Nation" or by the literal translation of the Oji-Cree word Wiyaagamaa—"Round Lake."

Governance

The First Nation elect their officials through a Custom Electoral System, consisting of a Chief and seven councillors. The current Chief is Dinah Kanate, she is the second female Chief elected, the current elder councillor is Raymond Adams. The Nation's council is headed by Innes Sakchekapo, with the other five councillors being Roy Sakchekapo, Grace Matawapit, Paul Johnup, Evelyn Hattie and Harry Sakchekapo.
As a signatory to the 1929 Adhesion to Treaty No. 9, North Caribou Lake First Nation is a member of the Windigo First Nations Council, a Regional Chiefs Council, and Nishnawbe Aski Nation, a Tribal Political Organization that represents majority of First Nation governments in Northern Ontario. Signatories for the Nation, July 18, 1930, were Apin Kakapeness, Jonas Wasakimik, Samuel Sawanis, John Quequeish, Patrick Kakekayash, and Sena Sakchekapo, all of whom signed in Syllabic.

Reserve

The First Nation have reserved for themselves the 9172.3 ha Weagamow Lake Indian Reserve 87. The community of Weagamow Lake, Ontario, is located on this Indian reserve.