MAP OF MANITOBA SHOWING GOD'S LAKE NARROWS, WINNIPEG AND THOMPSON
(Click on the map to enlarge it)
Where are we located?
The God's Lake Narrows community is located approximately 598 km (372 miles) north of Winnipeg, Manitoba in the North-Eastern area of the province.
It is a fly-in community with no access to roads during the summer. An ice road makes the community accessible by car or truck for about three months during the winter.
Who are we?
Two closely related but independent communities share the name of God’s Lake Narrows. One is the non-treaty community that operates under the provincial government on the Métis settlement or Provincial
Crown land. The other community is the God’s Lake Narrows First Nation reserve, which is the focus of this web site.
The reserve is signatory to the 1909 Adhesion Treaty #5. The governmental structure is comprised
of one chief and six councilors who are elected through a democratic
process. The elections are held once every two years. Each councilor is delegated responsibilities in housing, economic development, policing and other community related needs.
In the summer, God’s Lake Narrows is known for its abundance of natural beauty and untouched wilderness, crystal clear fresh waters and breathtaking scenery. During this season, fishing enthusiasts take advantage of the great fishing while enjoying the natural majestic beauty of outdoor life. In November, the beauty of the warm summer months is quickly replaced by countless acres of gleaming white snow, snow- covered boreal forest and the crisp, clear freshness of the cold winter air.
Summer Scene
Walking on the lake in Winter
Language:
The languages spoken are Swampy Cree and English.
Religion:
Religion includes a mixture of Traditional and Christian beliefs. There are three main denominations in the community. They are the Roman Catholic, United Church and Pentecostal churches. Traditional ways of
life, values/beliefs, and customs are still being practised today.
Health Services
The community of God’s Lake Narrows has a nursing station operated by Health and Welfare Canada. There are three nurses on staff that provide care in regular clinics, public health programs and emergency
care twenty-four hours a day. Part time care from other health professionals is also available for the community at various times. Other services are also available outside of the community such as Winnipeg and Thompson.
Other Health Services/Professionals
Doctor: The doctor is available in the community once a week. He/she refers patients who may require additional special services outside of the community.
Dentist: The dentist frequently visits the community and usually coordinates her own schedule through the local nursing station. The dentist is available for services in the community approximately 85% of the time.
Optometrist: An optometrist is available in the community once annually.
Psychologist: A psychologist is available for the community twice a month.
N.A.D.A.P.: The Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program operates under the God’s Lake First Nation. Two local band members work as Native Alcohol and Drug abuse workers and deliver intervention programming to the community on a regular basis.
AWASIS: The Awasis Agency is sponsored by the Awasis Agency of Manitoba. It employs local members from the community to provide services and care mainly to children and residents of God’s Lake First
Nation.
B.F.I.: The Brighter Futures Initiative program provides activities and services relating to health for the community of God’s Lake Narrows. A full time person is employed to coordinate the health programming in the community.
B.H.C. Building Healthy Communities is another program which the God’s Lake First Nation operates. It employs one full time person. He is responsible for implementing and coordinating
health related programming in the community for the members. As well, one-to-one individual counseling services are available through this program.
Community Infrastructure
1. Personal Care Home:
A personal care home was built in 1997 for the elderly at God’s Lake Narrows as well as from other surrounding communities. Professional personnel and local community members are on staff for the
clientele at the personal care home.
2. God’s Lake Narrows Gas Bar:
The God’s Lake Narrows Gas Bar is located in the reserve and is owned and maintained by the First Nation. The gas is hauled annually to the community through the winter road.
3. Mantouwapak Hotel and Restaurant:
The Mantouwapak hotel and restaurant were built in 1998 and is owned and operated by God’s Lake First Nation. The hotel has 10 rooms and can accommodate up to 20 people. The restaurant hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m daily and the restaurant is open for service to the public.
4. Day Care:
The God’s Lake Narrows Day Care Program is available for those that need it. It is located conveniently centrally in the community and is close to the God’s Lake Narrows School. The business hours are from
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily from Monday to Friday except holidays.
5. Bereavement Hall:
A local community Bereavement Committee Hall is located centrally and offers services to community members and families affected by bereavement.
6. God’s Lake Narrows Recreation Hall:
God’s Lake Narrows offers a range of recreational services within the community. The coordination and planning is conducted by the Director of Recreation with its affiliated committee in the God’s Lake
Narrows Recreation Hall. Some of the youth and adult activities are held in the hall daily. It is located centrally in the community and is open to the public on a daily basis.
7. God’s Lake Narrows Arena:
The God’s Lake Narrows Arena offers year round recreational services to the youth and adults in the community. Because the arena is not equipped with artificial ice, ice hockey is only available five months
of the year, usually from November to March. In the summer months, other recreational activities are available such as ball hockey, indoor soccer, and rollerblading.
The police station
Policing is done locally by the RCMP detachment located on the Metis side. There are six officers in the community. The First Nation also employs several band constables.
Transportation:
The community of God’s Lake Narrows is a fly-in community and therefore does not have access to an all-weather road. Consequently, the cost of food and products are very high. Several airlines provide services to the community and provide daily flights to Winnipeg and Thompson. The main airline used is Perimeter Aviation. During the winter, a winter road is available from January to about mid-March. Chartered air flights are also an option for the people. In the community, there are taxi services available for those that wish to travel to local places around the community like the store for shopping. The winter road from God’s Lake Narrows to Oxford House is approximately 70 km and 265 km to the Norway House junction, Provincial Road 373. It takes approximately six hours to the Norway House junction pending on road conditions. During most times, vehicles can only travel 40 km/hr. It takes about 10 hours to Thompson and approximately 18 hours to Winnipeg.
Communications
1. Postal Service: The postal service is operated by Canada Post and is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day from Monday to Friday.
2. Newspaper Media: The Winnipeg Sun, The Winnipeg Free Press, WindSpeaker, Nickel Belt News and The First Perspective are all available in the Northern Store during regular business hours.
3. Manitoba Telephone System: The Manitoba Telephone System (MTS) provides service in local and long distance calling and fax. High speed internet is also available in the community through MTS.
4. Radio Station: A local radio station is available for the community and may be accessed through regulated business hours as designated. The Radio Station is owned and maintained by the
First Nation.
Local Businesses
1.The Northern Store:
The Northern Store is owned and operated by North West Company. The Northern Store is located on the Metis settlement on the island, which is provincial land. It employs several personnel from both the
communities and a manager from the outside. The Northern Store is the largest enterprise in the community and a majority of the banking services is available through the store. The store sells groceries, retail goods and gas for the community.
2. Louie’s Grocery: Louie’s Grocery is owned and operated by a local community member, Louis Watt. His store sells groceries, convenience items, and other retail goods.
3. Clarke’s Store: Clarke’s Store is owned and operated by a local community member, Lyle Clarke. His store is located close to the local elementary school and sells small convenience items to the members of the community.
4. Spence’s Food Store: Spence’s Food Store is owned and operated by local community members, Elvis and Cathy Spence.
EDUCATION:
God’s Lake Narrows School
In September 1993, God’s Lake Narrows First Nation assumed responsibility of all education programs at God’s Lake Narrows First Nation.
The God’s Lake Narrows First Nation School Board oversees the school that offers Nursery to Grade 9. As well, a Careers Promotional Awareness Program (CPA) and an Adult Education Program is available for potential students in the community who wish to pursue their education. After Grade 9, students leave their community to attend school in Winnipeg, Cranberry Portage, Thompson and other institutions to further their education.
The School Board employs local teachers from the First Nation, as well as non-local teachers. Some of these teachers are from the East Coast. There are approximately 21 professional teachers and twenty-four educational assistants that are employed full time. There are two resource teachers that service the early and middle years programs. The School also employs office personnel, maintenance services, Home and School Coordinator, Day and Night Security, Mental Health Therapist and two school guidance counselors.
Recent Developments
In 2008, a bridge was built in the community to replace the Ferry service which was once available for vehicles to travel from the reserve to the Metis settlement. The bridge can carry vehicle weight to 39.5 metric tonnes. The bridge is located in the central part of the community and connects the God’s Lake Narrows reservation to the Metis settlement on the provincial land. Before the bridge was built, a ferry was used to transport vehicles, trucks and buses to and from the reserve and the Metis settlement. Having the bridge has increased productivity immensely for local businesses and transportation.
God’s Lake Narrows Youth Drop-In Centre (in progress):
God’s Lake Narrows First Nation is in the process of building a youth drop-in centre and is expected to be completed in late spring 2009. The youth center is being built for community members, mainly for youth recreational programming.