Our Name: Cat Lake First Nation is known in Ojibwe as Bizhiw-zaaga'igan. Our people call themselves Bizhiw-zaaga'iganiwininiwag, meaning “Men of Wild-cat Lake.” The wild-cat is the Canada lynx.

Treaty and History: Cat Lake 63C is in Kenora District, in Treaty 9 territory. Our community began as a Hudson's Bay Company trading post in 1788 and later belonged to the Osnaburgh Band, which signed Treaty 9 on July 12, 1905. Cat Lake was officially founded in June 1970 and joined the Windigo First Nations Council shortly after it formed in 1983. We share a joint land-use plan with Slate Falls Nation for our shared traditional lands.

Population: About 645 people live on reserve, and our total registered population was 821 in 2019.

Location: Cat Lake is about 180 kilometres from Sioux Lookout. Pickle Lake, our closest town, is approximately 115 air kilometres to the southeast. Our community is fly-in, with a winter road from Pickle Lake.

Culture and Economy: Anishinaabemowin, our language, is the heartfelt expression of our culture. Hunting, fishing and trapping keep us connected to our heritage, alongside humour, strong family bonds and resilience. We steward the land as a sacred gift from the Creator. Fur harvesting was our main source of income until the 1970s, and tourism remains an important commercial interest. Community programs include our school, nursing station, housing, Ontario Works, a volunteer fire department and a Youth Healing Centre.

Visit our official website