Wahnapitae First Nation

History

The name of the First Nation comes from the Anishinaabemowin name for Lake Wanapitei, Waanabidebiing, meaning "that place where the water is shaped like a tooth" and refers to the shape of the lake from above. In 1850, the band became signatories to the Robinson Huron Treaty as "Tagawinini and his Band".

The band's Chief, Tahgaiwenene, was one of three indigenous representatives selected to address Governor General James Bruce and Crown representative William Benjamin Robinson during negotiations at Garden River First Nation. Children of the band were sent to Jesuit day schools at Wiikwemkoong First Nation, which later became the Spanish Indian Residential Schools in 1913 until their closure in the 1960s.

Demographics

For statistical purposes, the First Nation is part of the Greater Sudbury Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). In 2025, The First Nation had a population of 799 with 104 living on reserve at Wahnapitae 11.

Economy

Hiawatha's Restaurant and Marina, formerly Rocky's, is a long-established restaurant in the community with five cabin rentals. A nurse practitioner clinic, the Norman Recollet Health Centre, opened in 2019, and a 20000 sqft sound stage was completed in 2025.

The First Nation has also signed mining agreements with Vale Canada, Glencore, and KGHM. For postal delivery and telephone exchange purposes, the First Nation is considered part of the nearby Greater Sudbury community of Capreol.

Government

The First Nation is governed by a council which consists of five elected positions, including Chief. It is also a member of the Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations tribal council.

References

References

1. (18 March 2025). "Wahnapitae Profile". Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
2. Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Place names - Wahnapitae".
3. Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Place names - Wahnapitae 11".
4. "Treaty Signatories".
5. "List of First Nations entitled to treaty annuities". [[Indigenous Services Canada]].
6. Macron, Jason. (2024-10-30). "Then & Now: A brief history of local Indigenous communities". Sudbury.com.
7. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2022-02-09). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population, Corresponding census subdivision (CSD)".
8. (2023-01-22). "New Indigenous restaurant to open on the shores of Wanapitei Lake". [[CTV Northern Ontario.
9. Kruzel, Hugh. (2023-07-17). "Nickel and Dining: Hiawatha's has great food and a million-dollar view". [[The Sudbury Star]].
10. Durnan, Matt. (2019-11-04). "A big boost for primary health care in Wahnapitae First Nation". Sudbury.com.
11. Ulrichsen, Heidi. (2025-03-27). "'Massive' new film and TV studio opens on Wahnapitae First Nation". Sudbury.com.
12. Migneault, Jonathan. (2014-03-10). "First Nation takes proactive approach with mining companies". Northern Ontario Business.