Welcome to Apitipi Anicinapek Nation

Who We Are as Apitipi Anicinapek

The Apitipi Anicinapek Nation (AAN) is an Anicinapek Nation whose members have lived since time immemorial on their traditional territory with a documented archaeological presence of 8,000 years on their traditional territory (Côté et al, 2002).

AAN people were a nomadic group of hunter-gatherers and have been hunting and fishing in Northern Ontario since time immemorial. Since the earliest days of colonization, their rights to occupy and use their ancient lands have been recognized (Regina v Baptises, 1978).

The AAN territory comprises the lands and waters identified by AAN where we and our Ancestors traditionally occupy and use our lands that straddle a large segment of what is now Northeastern Ontario and Northwest Quebec. The community of Apitipi Anicinapek Nation (Apitipi Anicinape Aki), a smaller component of the AAN Traditional Territory was created in 1906 through Treaty No.9, one of the historical treaties in Ontario, is situated in the District of Cochrane approximately 50 kilometers east of Matheson, Ontario and is accessible from Highway 101. The north end of the reserve land meets the south shore of Abitibi Lake. The units in the community have been built in 70 hectares of flat land adjacent to Blueberry Lake. It encompasses 19,239 acres. The north end of the reserve meets the south shore of the Abitibi Lake. AAN members speak Anicinabemo8in (Algonquin/Anicinape), cakanacimo8in (English) and/or 8emitikocimo8in (French).

Source: Anicinape Historian, Maurice J. Kistabish, MA. (Pikogan and Apitipi Anicinapek)