Keewaywin First Nation

In the 1700s, the Kakepetum and Kakegamic grandfathers roamed the lands between Big Sandy Lake and Muskrat Dam, laying the foundation for the rich history of our people. By the 1800s, the Keewaywin community had already established a settlement, complete with a Hudson’s Bay post, a school, and a church, though the remnants of these buildings are now barely visible.

During this time, Robert Fiddler was working to establish Sandy Lake as a reserve but needed more people to support the effort. He approached the Keewaywin community, inviting them to join forces and help create Sandy Lake. The grandfathers agreed, but with one important condition: that the people of Keewaywin would one day return to their traditional hunting grounds. This promise was deeply rooted in the meaning of Keewaywin, which translates to “coming home.”

In the early 1980s, the Kakepetum and Kakegamic families, alongside Chief Josias Fiddler of Sandy Lake and INAC, worked together to fulfill this vision, leading to the formation of the community we now know as Keewaywin. This history is a testament to our enduring connection to the land and our commitment to preserving our heritage.