Land
Territory
Like other Ojibway in the upper Great Lakes, the Batchewana First Nation has exercised its responsibility to use, possess and protect the waters, lands and resources from time immemorial. The Creator placed our people at Bawahting (the rapids at what is now called Sault Ste. Marie) with laws and responsibilities to live in harmony with all Creation. Our elders have told us when the Creator told the crane to choose a homeland, the crane flew around and settled at Bawahting where there was an abundance of fish. The elders say that our original territory extended from the area around Bawahting and up the coast of Lake Superior as far as what is now Pukaskwa National Park, including islands in the lake, and to the north and northeast beyond the height of land. In 1849 this territory was confirmed when two government agents, Vidal and Anderson, were sent to enquire into the traditional territories of the various First Nations. BFN continues to hold and to assert rights and interests in its original territory just as it did prior to any treaty with the Crown.
Batchewana First Nation includes four reserves:
These four areas make up a tiny fraction of the traditional, pre-contact territory of Batchewana First Nation.
Goulais Bay Reserve 15A
Located on Goulais Bay, Lake Superior, about 45 minutes from Sault Ste Marie, this location has been a focus for the lake whitefish fishery since time immemorial.
After the expropriation of Whitefish Island from BFN in 1902, many residents were forced to move to what was then known as Goulais Mission. BFN has since purchased additional land in the area from the Crown, bringing the total to about 1,600 acres.
The main facility here is the Goulais Annex, where community events, meetings and summer day camps are held. In 2022 the state-of-the-art Chi We Kwe Don water treatment plant was opened, ensuring clean water for residents. The Captain Mikey Neveau Memorial Wharf honours a local Elder who was much respected for his focus on family and community, and his message of sustainable fishing.
For more information about Goulais Bay Reserve check out:
Documentary video
Lake Superior – Our Helper
Film website and trailer
Lake Superior Our Helper: Stories from Batchewanaung Anishinabek Fisheries
Goulais Annex, Chi We Kwe Don Water Treatment Plant, and The Captain Mikey Neveau Memorial Wharf.
Obadjiwan Reserve 15E
The 115-acre Obadjiwan property is about 1 hour from Sault Ste. Marie, on Lake Superior’s Batchewana Bay. This land became Obadjiwan Reserve 15E on December 6, 1966.
The Obadjiwan Conference and Convention Centre is the hub of this community, housing the Early Years program, summer day camps, and other community events and meetings. The building also houses cultural artifacts. Also here is the Batchewana Graveyard, where many BFN family members are buried.
Residents use the Obadjiwan dock to fish for whitefish, pickerel, and other species. In recent years a privately owned resort adjacent to the reserve was purchased by the Band.
Obadjiwan Conference & Convention Centre, EarlyON, Batchewana Graveyard, and Obadjiwan dock.
Rankin Reserve 15D
Rankin Reserve 15D is located on the outskirts of Sault Ste Marie. In 1939 approximately 3,763.9 acres of land were purchased here, including a strip of land along the St. Mary’s River. In 1949 an additional 8.25 acres were purchased nearby, north of Silver Creek.
This is the administrative hub of Batchewana First Nation. Facilities include the Band Offices, as well as the arena, bingo hall, daycare, Early Years program, Nigaaniin program, Health Centre, Pow Wow Grounds, Batchewana Businesses Inc. offices, the Learning Centre, Batchewana Police station, Natural Resources offices, and the Nimkii Nabkawaan Women in Crisis Centre.
Many BFN members live here, as well as multiple Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses.
Top row: Health Centre entrance, Pow Wow grounds, and The Learning Centre
Bottom row: Bingo Hall and Administrative Centre which includes the Band Offices.
Whitefish Island Reserve 15B
For thousands of years this 22-acre island on the Canadian side of what is now known as St. Mary’s River in Sault Ste Marie, has been a hub of whitefish harvesting and a gathering place for the Anishinabe.
Situated on the travel and trade routes between Lake Superior and Lakes Michigan and Huron, this was an important location for the Indigenous nations of the Great Lakes.
In 1906 the island was expropriated by the Government of Canada, and BFN members were forced to move elsewhere. During the same time period an Anishinabe burial ground on the site was also relocated. Following a long and difficult struggle, in 1998 Whitefish Island was returned to BFN.
The island sits adjacent to St. Mary’s Rapids, which is well known for its whitefish fishing grounds. Two-person teams would harvest the fish in canoes.
Whitefish Island is also an extremely important cultural site. More than 100,000 artifacts have been collected here and preserved by archaeologists.
Currently no BFN members live on the Island, but there is tourism-related activity on the site, with interpretive signs, trails, boardwalks and scenic lookouts.
Trails, boardwalks, and scenic lookouts.