Wapekeka

Ontario

Wapekeka First Nation (pronounced Wap-eh-key-ka) consists of two Reserves located 26 km (16 miles) Northwest of Big Trout Lake and 451 km ( 282 Miles) Northeast of Sioux Lookout. The reserve size is 5,566 hectares or 23 square miles with an additional 44 hectares added in 1996 and 1997. The community is accessible year round since The Ministry of Transportation constructed a 1070 x 30 m airstrip in 1991. Bearskin Airlines, North Star Air and Wasaya Airlines makes regular scheduled flights into the community.
Wapekeka community year-round population is 363 : 341 Registered as of April, 1999, 22 Non-First Nation Members.

Note: There are thirty-five registered Wapekeka members who reside off-reserve.

The main language spoken in Wapekeka represents a mixture of Cree and Ojibway (Oji-Cree). As in most northen communities, the younger people along with a portion of the older residents speak English comfortably as a Second Language.

The major means of local transportation are motorized vehicles such as trucks, cars, and four wheelers as there are developed roads connecting between the airport, medical clinic, school and other facilities. Primarily, the transportation is on foot during summer and by snowmobiles during winter.

Students have to leave the community in order to attend Secondary School. Students attend schools in Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay, etc.

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Wapekeka First Nation