Pauingassi School

Pauingassi School
Chief Joe Owen
Councillors James Owen, Mike Keeper, Winston Owen
Phone 1-204-397-2371
Fax 1-204-397-2145

Pauingassi School

The Community Location - Pauingassi is located on a Peninsula in Fishing Lake, about 20 kilometres north of Little Grand Rapids and 310 air kilometres northeast of Winnipeg. Apart from the Reserve at Little Grand Rapids, the nearest settlements are Poplar Hill and Pikangikum, both Ontario communities with which Pauingassi families have strong kinship and cultural ties. The nearest Manitoba centres are Berens River, Bloodvein and Bissett, all about one hundred and fifty kilometres from Pauingassi. The countryside is typical of the Canadian Shield, though the villiage itself is built on an extensive, mud-free band of sand, where its name originates.

Population - About 324 people live in Pauingassi. Apart from one Metis family and eight caucasion, all are treaty Saulteaux Natives, of the Ojibway Nation.

History - The Saulteaux word "opauingassi" refers to the sandy narrows about a mile north of the present selltement. Archaeological evidence suggests that this area was frequently used as a campsite in pre-European times. The first white visitor to the area was probably William Tomision, who travelled from Severn-House to Lake Winnipeg in 1769. The Severn-Berens and Severn-Poplar canoe routes were not major highways for the fur traders, and the Fishing Lake-Family Lake area was not accurately mapped until the 1920's. The establishment of a Hudson Bay Company post at Little Grand Rapids was in 1865. The missionary activity there began in the 1920's, which gradually affected the life-styles of people who, until then had experienced very little white influence. Nevertheless, until the mid 1950's, Pauingassi people continued to pursue a traditional way of life, camping around the narrows in the summer and dispersing to trap lines in the winter. When a school was established by a Mennonite missionary in 1956 it became the focus for the present ettlement. Somewhat later, the Department of Indian Affairs began a housing program in the new location, and in 1972 built Pauingassi School. Because of its location, Pauingassi is one of the least acculturated Native communities in the province. Few people over thirty speak English, and seasonal work, such as trapping, fishing and rice picking are still actively pursued by most families.

Local Government - Pauingassi was part of Little Grand Rapids as an adhesion to Treaty 5 that was originally signed at Berens River in 1875. The community of Pauingassi now elects their own Chief and Council and looks after the selection of School Committee members for their participation within Southeast Tribal Division for Schools. The community of Pauingassi now has band status of their own.

Social and Economic Development - Pauingassi people have made a transition from a semi-nomadic, largely traditional way of life to a settled, white-oriented existence in one generation. This change has brought both benefits and difficulties.

The economy of Pauingassi has changed over the past twenty years form an austere self-sufficiency to a dependence on welfare assistance, make-work projects and other government "services." Less than 20 local people hold full time jobs, and a number work part-time and seasonal jobs. Trapping occupies most of the men for about three months of each year, and wild rice-harvesting employs almost everybody for several weeks in the fall. Fishing Lake Lodge, about five miles away, employs several people during the summer as tourist and fishing guides and fire fighting often employs many of the men in times of drought.

Living in a settlement has brought many benefits: a school, nursing station and subsidized housing in the early '70's, electricity since '76, a water system in '78 and in '82 residential telephones. These benefits have been, to some extent, offset by social problems such as drinking, vandalism and gas-sniffing, but the great majority of people have adapted to rapid social change very well.

Transportation - At the present time, air service on a charter basis is offered by Little Grand Rapids Air, White Shell Air and So Wind Air out of Little Grand Rapids.

Eagle Air Service, based near Pine Falls, makes freight runs into Pauingassi about twice a week, and will transport incidental passengers to Silver Falls. There is a twice daily bus service from Pine Falls to Winnipeg.

Ground transportation locally is by snow-mobile in the winter and boat in the summer. There is no airstrip, so that air service is suspended, for periods up to three weeks long, during lake freeze-up and thaw. During fall freeze-up and spring freeze-up, helicopter service is available.

Stores - There are three general stores in Pauingassi, including a Northern Store. These stores carry quite a wide range of food stuffs - including fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as some clothing and dry goods. As everything must be transported by air, prices are somewhat higher than in town.

Postal Service - There is a post office for regular mail delivery in Pauingassi. Southeast staff generally carry mail in and out during their travels from Winnipeg to Pauingassi. It is advisable to get to know the S.E.R.D.C. travel staff.

Medical Service - There is a Nursing Station, located near the school. There are 2 nurses on staff at all times. A doctor makes regular visits.

Radio and T.V. - AM and FM radio reception varies from good to nil, though it is somewhat dependent of location and type of equipment used. CBC is set up as a local station since 1981.

Churches - A Mennonite church operated by local preachers, hold regular services in their newly built church. About half the local population is Christian. The local people are also using their Native beliefs and customs to enhance the Christian beliefs of Kitch-Manitou, "The Great Spirit/God." The survival of cultural events, activities are in the process of being addressed through education.

Recreation - Entertainment is largely of a person's own making. Because little English is spoken and because most people are reticent with strangers, social life can be rather limited. However, Pauingassi offers an excellent opportunity for one to learn Saulteaux/Ojibway through total immersion.

The area immediately around the community offers much to the outdoors person: fishing , camping, canoeing, boating, walking, hunting, swimming, snowshoeing, skiing, and skating.

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