About Long Lake #58 First Nation

"Despite the many hardships and atrocities that our Long Lake #58 members have experienced in the past and still experiencing in the present, I am amazed at the resiliency of our people.  We must remain resilient and courageous to keep on the healing path.  We need each other's guidance and nurturing to benefit from all the exciting economic and educational ventures and other accomplishments of our First Nation.  Let us stay united and be strong!"

Long Lake #58 First Nation is situated on Highway 11 along the northeast shore of Long Lake and adjacent to the town of Longlac, ON. Nestled between lakes and dense forests, Long Lake is a place of breathtaking beauty. Our heritage, culture and spirit are imprinted here in these natural settings. Since time immemorial, our people have hunted moose and bear in the vast forests, gathered wild berries and natural medicines in the wilderness, fished in the lakes and streams and travelled seasonally in the fast flowing rivers within our watershed.

According to our oral history passed down through generations, our people have lived in this area since the beginning of time. The teachings of our Elders help us to understand how our ancestors lived and prospered off of the land's rich resources.

We have been located on a one square mile tract of land since 1905. While we were located to this land and despite the fact that our First Nation lies within the geographic boundaries of the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850, our First Nation has never signed a treaty with the Crown.

Since located here in 1905 our First Nation has endured many changes in our land.  Expropriation in favour of the railway and highway has significantly decreased the size of our land and the development of hydro-electricity in our area led to flooding that eroded even more of our land. Today our First Nation survives on less than 500 acres of land of which less than 200 are usable for community purposes. But we have endured!

What is more important is the fact that Long Lake #58 First Nation members have been important contributors to the creation of Ginoogaming and Aroland First Nations. Our members are also recognized for their leadership on First Nation issues as well as on matters related to Aboriginal and Treaty Rights.

At the present time there are approximately 1400 members registered to Long Lake #58 First Nation with about 450 of them living on-reserve. Our off-reserve population resides in the area's local municipalities as well as in the City of Thunder Bay and other parts of Ontario and Manitoba.

It is our responsibility today to create a better quality of life for those who follow and that has become the number one priority for our First Nation's leaders.