Fort William First Nation

The Fort William First Nation Reserve, located on the western end of Lake Superior adjacent to the city of Thunder Bay was set aside under the provisions of the Robinson-Superior Treaty in 1850.  The north shore of Lake Superior is the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, vast country of rock scraped clean by glaciers and waterways. The traditional territories occupied and used by the Chippewa’s and Fort William and their residence stretch from Pigeon River to the south, north to Treaty 9 boundary and east to Nipigon.

Mount McKay on the Fort William First Nation was originally known as the “Thunder Mountain” (Animkii Wajiw) in Ojibwe. It is the highest, most northern and best known of the Nor’Wester Mountains. It formed about 1,100 million years ago during a period of magmatic activity associated with the large Midcontinent Rift System. It has a flat top and steep cliffs on three sides. It is composed of shale and greywackes, covered by a hard diabase cap. The mountain is used by the Ojibwe for sacred ceremonies and cultural programs. It also offers a scenic lookout, a memorial for Aboriginal veterans, and a hiking path.