Wahnapitae First Nation
First Nation in Ontario, Canada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wahnapitae First Nation is an Anishinaabeg First Nation in the Canadian province of Ontario.[2] It is located on the 10.69 km2 (4.13 sq mi) Wahnapitae 11 reserve on the northwestern shore of Lake Wanapitei, a semi-enclave bordered by the city of Greater Sudbury to the north and west.[3] The band is a signatory to the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850.[4]
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 Interactive map of Wahnapitae First Nation | |
| People | Anishinaabeg |
|---|---|
| Treaty | Robinson Huron Treaty |
| Headquarters | Capreol |
| Province | Ontario |
| Land[1] | |
| Main reserve | Wahnapitae 11 |
| Land area | 10.69 km2 |
| Population (2025)[1] | |
| On reserve | 104 |
| Off reserve | 695 |
| Total population | 799 |
| Government[1] | |
| Chief | Larry Roque |
| Council |
|
| Tribal Council[1] | |
| Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations | |
| Website | |
| wahnapitaefn.ca | |
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".[4][5]
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.[6] 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.[6]
Demographics
For statistical purposes, the First Nation is part of the Greater Sudbury Census Metropolitan Area (CMA).[7] 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.[8][9] A nurse practitioner clinic, the Norman Recollet Health Centre, opened in 2019, and a 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2) sound stage was completed in 2025.[10][11]
The First Nation has also signed mining agreements with Vale Canada, Glencore, and KGHM.[12] 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.