Welcome to Whitefish River First Nation

We have an amazing collection of places to visit, breath taking scenery, and traditional events for you to enjoy.

Dreamer's Rock

A place of a spiritual or cultural significance where traditional fasting has always occurred. Young people traditionally fasted received their visions at Dreamer’s Rock. This site is accessible through Sunshine Alley, a site that is designated sacred grounds, and a short hike through a marked trail. A spectacular 360 degree view awaits at the top.

2023 – Dreamers Rock is closed to the public, there is no access at this time.

Rainbow Lodge

Rainbow Lodge is also situates on the reserve just below Dreamer’s Rock on beautiful Sunshine alley. Much of the filming of the 1960’s television series “Rainbow Country” took place at Rainbow Lodge. While filming of “Indian Legends” took place in the area of Rainbow Lodge. In addition, two foreign film companies have produced documentaries issuing this location as a backdrop.

Rainbow Lodge is available for rental from May to October. Two newly constructed cabins are also available for rental. See http://www.therainbowlodge.ca/ for more information.

 

St. Gabriel Lalement Church

This church was built in 1941 and at times is an area of interest to outside visitors. This is a result of the beauty of the church as it is entirely built of wood and stone, using local lime rock. Another place of interest is the Shrine to our Lady of Fatima, built in 1948, which can be reached by following an uphill path located behind the church.

The community also has Parish Council, which oversees the activities of the church and in cooperation with the Maintenance Department, assist with the maintenance of the church, church grounds, the Shrine and surrounding area, including the community cemetery.

 

Historical Sites

Annual Traditional Pow Wow

Each year, Whitefish River First Nation holds their annual traditional pow wow on the third weekend in August. It is held below the sacred Dreamer’s Rock at Sunshine Alley. This gathering features our traditional dancing, singing and drumming, crafts and Aboriginal food.

 

Roosevelt Monument

The Roosevelt Monument is located on the reserve off Highway 6 and was erected in honour of the President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt who spent 13 days vacationing in and around the area in 1943.

 

McGregor Bay

McGregor Bay is named for Captain Alexander McGregor, a Scotsman who settled in the McGregor Bay area about 1850. He was the first fisherman to develop commercial fishing in Lake Huron.

McGregor Bay is the gateway by water to Baie Fine, Killarney and Frazer Bay. McGregor Bay is currently home to many cottagers and seasonal tourists. McGregor Bay has an abundant source of bass, pike, muskie, walleye and lake trout.

 

Bay of Islands

Similar to McGregor Bay, the Bay of Islands has many cottagers and seasonal tourists inhabiting the many islands and inlets. Many of the cottages were in established in the 1950s and 60s.

On Lacloche Island in Bay of Islands, there was once a Hudson Bay Trading Post. Bay of Islands also played a role in the routes of the Voyageurs and Jesuits.

The Bond Head Treaties 1836

In 1836, Lieutenant-Governor Sir Francis Bond Head wanted to move farming Aboriginal peoples to Manitoulin Island, where they could hunt and fish in isolation from the corrosive forces of “civilization” — and also fulfil the lieutenant-governor’s stereotype of noble savagery.

Manitoulin was designated permanent Aboriginal territory in a treaty at the gift-distribution ceremonies at Manitowaning in 1836. Chief Shawanosowe signed the 1836 Treaty.

Bond Head never succeeded in persuading Aboriginal peoples in the more arable southern lands to move to Manitoulin. In fact, in negotiating with the Saugeen people, he found they mostly wanted a commitment that the Crown would protect their ancestral land from squatters.

Robinson Huron Treaty 1850

William Benjamin Robinson secured agreement from Aboriginal leaders to “cede, grant, and convey unto Her Majesty” about 50,000 square miles (129,500 km2) north of the upper Great Lakes. These transactions, known as the Robinson-Huron and Robinson-Superior treaties, provided for the creation of 21 new reserves, each to be held by the Crown for the “use and benefit” of the groups whose leaders’ names and marks were on the agreements.

In the Robinson Treaties, the Crown promised that Aboriginal peoples could hunt and fish throughout the ceded territory “as they have heretofore been in the habit of doing.” This promise, the first of its kind in an Aboriginal treaty, was made, Robinson explained, so that Aboriginal peoples could not make future claims in return for loss of “their usual means of support.”

These words go far to capture the nature of the tradeoffs in this and many subsequent treaties. The Indians agree to open the largest part of their ancestral lands for non-Indian settlement in return for security of land tenure in a smaller area or areas.

Chief Waubekeke is the 4th signatory to the Treaty of 1850 taken in Sault Ste. Marie on Sept 9th, 1850.

We derive $4.00 per person annually as a result of this treaty. This payment is also known as a Treaty Payment or Annuity.