MANTO SIPI CREE NATION

2007

The History of God's River F.N.

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The community of God’s River was originally part of the God’s Lake First Nation. It was in the mid 1940’s that people moved from the God’s Lake Narrows to form the community of God’s River. Sources have indicated that separation of the communities was related to religious differences, while others contend it was for economic reasons. Ministerial Order formed the God’s River First Nation on May 7, 1976. Manto Sipi Cree Nation is a signatory to the Adhesion of Treaty 5, which was signed in 1909.

The God’s River First Nation is located 585 air kilometers northeast of Winnipeg. The community is located at the mouth of the God’s River along the north shoreline of God’s Lake.

Government:

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The God’s River First Nation office is in the central area of the community. The administration office is shared with the Awasis Agency Department. Council consists of one Chief and four Councillors, elected according to Band custom. Political affiliations are with the Keewatin Tribal Council (KTC), Manitoba Keewatinohk Okimahkanak (MKO), Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) and with the Assembly of First Nations.

The God’s River First Nation administers the following programs: social assistance, housing, capital projects, operations and maintenance, water and sewage services, sanitation services, television and radio broadcasting, the community outreach program, justice, policing, recreation, aboriginal healing foundation, economic development, NADAP and youth services.

Awasis Agency / God's River First Nation Office

Water Treatment Plant

Religion:

Both traditional religious practices and Christianity are observed in the community. There are two churches in the community: the Roman Catholic Church and the Full Gospel/Pentecostal Church.

Health Services:

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God’s River is equipped with a nursing station that is operated by Health & Welfare Canada under the Medical Services Branch. The nursing station employs two nurses, an administrative clerk, a janitor, and a maintenance person. The nursing station provides acute care with regular clinics; public health programs and twenty-four hour emergency care. Two Community Health Representatives are on hand to provide prevention and promotional education to the public. The table that follows includes the part-time care provided to the people from other health professional at various times. All other health professionals needed are referred to Winnipeg, Thompson, or Selkirk, MB.

God's River Nursing Station

Health Professionals

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Availability

Doctor

Twice a week

Dentist

Twice a month

Optometrist

Once a year

Pediatrician

Quarterly

Psychologist

Twice a month

Housing:

All the houses are band owned. The majority of the houses are structured and designed the same way. There are approximately 95 houseing units in God's River, of which 13 are CMHC units. The newer houses have upper main floors and basements. The Manto Sipi Cree Nation is one of the first aborginal communities in Northeastern Manitoba to have water and sewer systems for all band buildings and housing units. The majority of houses are heated with electrical furnaces, while the remainder are heated with fuel furnaces.

Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba:

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An Awasis Agency Office in the community falls under the Child & Family Act and provides child protection services, resources for family conciliation, and child development initiatives. The Federal Government in conjunction with MKO and the Band oversees the program. The Agency employs several full-time staff and a few Child Development workers.

Education:

God’s River Board of Education oversees the school that offers kindergarten to grade nine. Students who wish to continue their education have to go outside the community to do so. The school employs some teachers that are from the First Nation and other teachers from elsewhere. Also, the school employs office personnel, maintenance services, and guidance councilors.

Amos Okemow Memorial School

Amos Okemow Memorial School

Daycare Center: 

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There is a daycare center in the community for those who require the facility. The daycare provides care for infant and pre-school children.

Infrastructure

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Electricity

As part of the North Central Project, God’s River was linked up to the provincial power system in the fall of 1997. The electrification project that supplies 200-amp service has replaced the 15-amp previously supplied by a diesel generator.

Fire fighting

The community has a fire chief that is on call twenty-four hours a day with the help of volunteer fire fighters from the community. Natural Resources provide forest fire watch and fire fighting if needed.

Policing

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There is no RCMP detachment in God's River, with the nearest detachment centre adjacent to the community been in God;s Lake Narrows. There are however, 5 full time Band Constables, 3 of which have Special Constable Status with the remaining awaiting training with the Aboriginal Policing Directorate. The Manto Sipi Cree Nation receives annual funding from Aboriginal Policing for the Band Constables.

RCMP Detachment

Transportation

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The Band owns and operates a van that transports people to and from the nursing station on a 24-hours basis, if needed. Various people provide taxi services in the community. Semi-trucks from Winnipeg, and Thompson drive in on the winter road to bring in freight and fuel. The winter road season opens from February until March. Air transportation is available at the local airstrip that is maintained by Highways and Transportation. Several airlines fly in from Winnipeg, and Thompson daily and each of the companies provide at least one flight a day. Chartering flights is also an option for the people. Also, these companies provide emergency medi-vac services when needed. Docking facilities are available for floatplanes throughout the community's shoreline.

God's River Airport

Communications

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Postal Services are provided by the local post office, operated by Canada Post. Mail is delivered in and out of the community five times a week, weather permitting.

Telephone services are maintained by MTS. Telephone services are maintained by MTS. Local calls are only available to God's Lake Narrows and to Red Sucker Lake, not throughtout the Island Lake Region. A toll free number is used to access the internet. The School, Nursing Station and Band Office are all equiped with broadband satellite internet service, while only the Nursing Station and School are equipped for video conferencing.

The community owned television and radio station provides public announcements

Community Radio Station

Businesses

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The Northern Store is the largest business in God’s River. The store employs several employees that work full-time and some part-time, which include managers from out of town. The store sells groceries, retail goods, hardware, furniture, visual equipment, recreational items, and gas. Northern Store is owned and operated by the North West Co.

Other businesses in the community include: Okemow’s Restaurant, God’s River Lodge and Percy Okemow’s convenience store.

God's River Lodge

God's River Lodge

Okemow's Restaurant

Olivia Okemow

Northern Store