Who we are
The Vision of the Serpent River First Nation
"Serpent River First Nation will have self-sufficient people within a community of caring and compassionate families."
The Mission of the Serpent River First Nation"Serpent River First Nation will use all available financial, human, natural, technological and cultural resources to achieve self-sufficiency through the efforts of all Community Members. Our strong and unique cultural and spiritual identity will drive us to ensure a healthy community that is safe and secure for all generations".
About the community
Background
The Serpent River First Nation is part of the inceded lands retained by the Ojibway who traditionally inhabited the North Shores of the St. Mary's River and the Georgian Bay, of Northern Ontario Great Lakes Region. The Serpent River First Nation is part of the Robinson Huron Treaty, which was signed on September 5th 1850.
The Serpent River First Nation is also known as Cutler or in the recent past as Kenabutch[sic]. For the past three decades, traditionalists have preferred the Ojibway titles as Genaabaajing and Chi Genebek Ziibibg Anishinabek.
The reserve has always been a relatively small community; however, recent years have showed a rapid development of community infrastructure and community services. In addition, the on-reserve population has shown a definite increase.
Location
The Serpent River First Nation is located approximately 160 kilometers east of Sault Ste. Marie, or approximately 140 kilometers west of Sudbury. It is located 30 kilometers east of the Town of Blind River on the Trans-Canada Highway 17. Two small communities flank the community: Town of Spanish to the east and the Township of the North Shore (Serpent River) to the west. Serpent River First Nation is a twenty-minute drive from the retirement (nee mining) community of Elliot Lake. It is also bounded by the Serpent River and Grassy Lake to the north, Whalesback Channel and Lake Huron to the south and west.
The reserve consists of a land base of 26,947 acres along the north shore of Georgian Bay. It is located on the Precambrian Shield and consists primarily of outcropping igneous and metamorphic rock containing large areas of granite. This type of steeply rolling topography and its effects on groundwater limits the types and locations of developments in the community. Mining, Forestry, and Commercial Fishing have been the main employment areas.
Population
The residents are of the Ojibway Nation and have traditionally always inhabited the area. They continue to use the Ojibway language and pursue tradtional ways.
The total population as of August 9, 2011 is 1,234 members of which 371 live on-reserve and 863 band members live off-reserve. The large number of band members living off reserve is due to the number of reinstated registered members under the Bill C-31 process of 1985. There are 163 households.
Economy
The economy of Serpent River First Nation includes a number of privately owned businesses. In addition, band owned enterprises operate within the community. These businesses include a business centre located at the east end on Hwy 17, the Trading Post and Gas Bar. The reserve has two operational quarries, a community resource centre, a day care centre, literacy & learning centre, health centre, senior's lodge, and soon to be lifestyles centre.