Three settlements make up the Bearskin Lake First Nation. Originally located on Bearskin Lake50 kilometres (31mi) to the southwest, their main community moved to its present site on Michikan Lake ("Fish Trap Lake") in the 1930s and is accessible only by air from Bearskin Lake Airport or winter road. The main village is situated on the west shore of the lake[1] and all three settlements are linked to one another by all weather gravel roads. The First Nation still retains the 12,626.3-hectare (31,200-acre)Bearskin Lake Indian Reserve[5] in which all three lie. The reserve also contains a segment of the Severn River, into which Michikan Lake flows, and of Severn Lake.
The community has been affected by two long term water drinking and boiling advisories, one that started in 2006 and another that started in 2020.[6] As of July 2025, they are in the process of installing cisterns and a water treatment system that will help them lift the aforementioned water advisories.
Governance
This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(December 2021)
Bearskin First Nation is governed by Chief Rosemary McKay and her Deputy Chief Leonard "Wayne" Brown; their 3-year term began on April 1, 2014. In addition, the First Nation's Council is four councillors: Stuart Kamenawatamin, Gary Kamenawatamin, George Kamenawatamin, and Roderick Kamenawatamin.
Leon Marshall Beardy became Chief on October 1, 2024, with his term set to expire on March 31, 2026.[7]
↑Government of Canada; Indigenous Services Canada. "Bearskin Lake". www.sac-isc.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2025-07-09. Retrieved 2026-01-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
↑Branch, Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada; Communications (2008-11-14). "First Nation Profiles". fnp-ppn.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca. Retrieved 2026-01-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
