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Ontario First Nations Map

QS-T009-000-BB-A1 2008 Map Bilingual

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The Ontario First Nations Map has been in print since 1991. It serves the information needs of the public by providing a useful geographical base and thematic reference for the policies, programs, services and initiatives of interest to Aboriginal people provided by the Government of Canada in Ontario.

It is cost-effectively printed by an Aboriginal supplier with a strong focus on eco-friendly goals such as maximizing our use of recycled content, increasing our paper efficiencies, and decreasing our carbon footprint. It is also offered electronically on our website with links to several information sources.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions about the Ontario First Nations Map.

What updates have you made to the electronic version of the map since the latest printing?

Chippewas of Rama First Nation cultural identifier moved closer to community location.
Stanjikoming First Nation name changed to Mitaanjigamiing First Nation.
Batchewana First Nation and Ketegaunseebee Anishnabai (Garden River First Nation) locations revised.
Flying Post location changed to reserve from mailing address.
Nicickousemenecaning name changed to Nigigoonsiminikaaning Nation.
Sudbury Business Centre Office mailing address updated to 40 Elm Street, Suite 290, Rainbow Centre—2nd floor, SUDBURY, ON P3C 1S8

What do the symbols on the border represent?

The border of the poster shows symbols that are particularly meaningful to First Nations in Ontario.

At the top centre the Two Row Wampum represents treaties of peace and friendship made when the Haudensaunee, or Iroquois Confederacy, first came into contact with European Nations. The two rows symbolize two paths or two vessels travelling down the same rivers together. One, a birch bark canoe, is for First Nations, their laws, customs and ways. The other, a ship, is for Europeans with their laws, customs and ways.

The three beads separating the rows symbolize peace, friendship and respect. The wampum represents the traveling the river together, side by side, but in different vessels. The principle of the Two Row Wampum became the basis for treaties and agreements between First Nations and European Nations.

At the bottom centre of the border, the Hiawatha Wampum symbolizes formation of the Iroquois League. Four of the five founding nations are represented as rectangles. Onondaga, the central nation, is symbolized by the Tree of Peace. All are linked by paths that extend outwards towards other nations.

The border also includes representations of the eagle, wolf, bear, heron, turtle, eel, deer, snipe and hawk which are associated with the Tree of Peace and are prominent in the culture of First Nations. The border also contains representations of beadwork, porcupine beadwork, tamarack geese, moose, muskrat, porcupine, raven, catfish, mink, turkey, rabbit, loon, frog, deer, snake, fox, otter, martin and raccoon which are prominent in Cree and Ojibway culture.

What is the blue bar on the right?

The key symbols used in the Department's corporate identity are on the right hand-side of the map. The contents of the map are also proportionally scaled to fit within the remaining area of the poster.

What are your information sources for the listing of First Nations?

The index on the right of the large map contains a listing of First Nations recognized under the Indian Act by band number along with their cultural affiliation and grid locators to assist with finding communities. The names of communities are checked against several sources i.e., the First Nations Profiles, federal schedules, media releases, representative First Nation political organization websites and community websites. As names sometimes change, and errors can occur, it is always best to contact the community directly to verify their information. At the bottom of the main index is a listing in smaller print of Federal Electoral Districts. This information is pulled from the Elections Canada website and cross checked with the Ontario Elections website and First Nation Profiles website. Behind the index of the poster is the Tree of Peace, which is central to the culture of First Nations in Ontario.

What are your sources for the main map?

The main map is a display map which includes First Nation communities recognized under the Indian Act along with municipalities, lakes and rivers for reader to use as reference points. The intent of the map is to create awareness of First Nations in Ontario. The map is composed of several thematic and base layers and it is not designed to be a roadmap or topographical map. It is also a snapshot of the best available information at the time it was published which can quickly become out of date.

The Canada Lands – Ontario First Nations Lands and National Parks map is used as a reference for reserves that is then checked against the reserves and addresses listed on our First Nations Profiles. Locations are also visually checked against the Official Road Map of Ontario and several other online mapping tools and viewers. Some First Nations have more then one reserve in which cases we always try to place the locator on either the largest or most populated community. Also some communities are very close together in which cases we try our best to keep the names as close as possible to their location. Further still, some communities don't have a reserve land base but are identified through agreements or the majority of members of a community may also live off reserve. In those incidences, we usually use the communities mailing address for their location.

What are your sources for the Tribal Council chart, Representative First Nations Political Organizations map and Access map?

These listings are checked against the organization's website listing and the First Nation Profile listing. First Nations recognized under the Indian Act are then listed by their band number. The access information source is the Band Classification Manual. These maps are proportionally scaled down versions of the main map with community names replaced with symbols as per each map's legend.

What are your sources for the Reserve Settlement/Village listing?

The list of reserves is manually compiled from the First Nation Profiles. The federal electoral district information is pulled from the Elections Canada website and cross checked with the Ontario Elections website and First Nations Profiles website.

What are your sources for the Treaties map?

The Historical Treaties of Canada map, which portrays treaties from 1725 to 1923, is the main information source for this display map. We also cross check information against several websites and treaty research reports. Indian treaties have been generally classified into two groups: Pre-Confederation and Post-Confederation. Pre-Confederation treaties were made with the Crown through representatives of the British Government. Post-Confederation treaties were made with the Government of Canada. Peace and Friendship Treaties did not involve the transfer of land title and are therefore not individually represented on the map. All the boundary lines represent the approximate extent of treaty boundaries. Adhesion boundaries are mapped to show the extension of a treaty boundary as a result of later signatories who adhered to the terms of the original treaty. Also, shown are the boundaries for the major land cessions or surrenders in the Upper Canada Treaties area.

I have a suggestion for a future version of the map?

Here is a short list of suggestions we've received that we are currently looking into:

Could First Nations not recognized under the Indian Act also be identified i.e., Beaverhouse First Nation, Hornepayne First Nation, Mocreebec Council Of The Cree Nation, Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, Poplar Point First Nation, and Whitewater Lake First Nation?
Other information people have asked us to consider including on the map: could you show the 26 Métis Councils, outline/shade traditional lands, identify aboriginal languages, identify land claims, list friendship centre's, identify large urban Aboriginal populations, list federal and First Nation schools, identify whether First Nations have elections under the Indian Act or Custom, create a timeline showing historical tribal migrations and world events?
We've also received suggestions to print a letter size version of the map. There are other maps available online more suitable for those purposes that we've included links to at the bottom of this page.
We've also been asked to create a Children's version of the Ontario First Nations Map geared towards the Ontario Curriculum which we are currently pursuing.

How can I get permission to reproduce the Ontario First Nations map?

For commercial reproduction please contact:

Public Works and Government Services Canada
Publishing and Depository Services
350 Albert Street, 4th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0S5
copyright.droitdauteur@pwgsc.gc.ca

For non-commercial reproduction:

We ask users to exercise due diligence in ensuring the accuracy of the materials reproduced. INAC be identified as the source department; and, the reproduction is not represented as an official version of the materials reproduced, nor as having been made, in affiliation with or with the endorsement of INAC.

If you would like to order a copy of the map, have a suggestion for a future version of the map or you would like to report a typo, or correction, please contact:

Lonny O'Brien
Inet Officer
Indian and Northern Affairs
Executive Services and Communications
- Floor: 8
25 St-Clair Avenue East, 8th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M4T 1M2
Telephone: 416-952-0056
Fax: 416-973-3421