Sandy Bay First Nation


Sandy Bay First Nation is an Ojibway/mixed-blood First Nation in Manitoba, Canada. As of the 2016 Canadian Census, it had a population of 2,515.
It is located on the western shore of Lake Manitoba. Adjacent rural municipalities are Alonsa and Lakeview. The main settlement of Sandy Bay is located at.

Early history

Sandy Bay's original roots began after the signing of Treaty 1, in 1870 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
In 1871, the Ojibway/French mixed-bloods of the Portage Band requested a reservation be set aside for them, the request is accepted, but the Half-breeds were required "...to move North, not nearer than 20 miles" where the town of Westbourne is now located. The new half-breed reserve is named Whitemud. In 1873, the reserve and its members are relocated again. This time straight North. In 1877, the residents of Whitemud are told to move again after the surveyor told them he made a mistake. This time just one mile southeast where Sandy Bay currently is today. The Ojibway/French mixed-blood reserve is renamed Sandy Bay.
On July 21, 1884, Sandy Bay had its very first elections. Francois Demarais wins and is the first elected Chief. Baptiste Spence and Wah-sah-hook win for the councillor positions and are the first councillors.