The Shamattawa First Nation (Cree: ᑭᓭᒫᑖᐘ, kisêmâtâwa) (55°51′30″N 92°05′46″W / 55.85833°N 92.09611°W) is a remote First Nations community in northern Manitoba, Canada, located in the reserve of Shamattawa 1.[5]
Shamattawa First Nation
ᑭᓭᒫᑖᐘ kisêmâtâwa | |
|---|---|
  Shamattawa First Nation Location in Manitoba | |
| Coordinates: 55°51′11″N 92°05′11″W / 55.85306°N 92.08639°W[1] | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Manitoba |
| Region | Northern |
| Census division | 23 |
| Area | |
• Total | 21.6 km2 (8.3 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 76 m (249 ft) |
| Population (2016)[2] | |
• Total | 1,019 |
| • Density | 47/km2 (120/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central Time Zone) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (Central Time Zone) |
| Postal code | R0B 1K0 |
| Area code(s) | 204, 431 |
| GNBC Code | GAYWF |
| Shamattawa First Nation | |
| Land[4] | |
| Main reserve | Shamattawa 1 |
| Population[4] | |
| On reserve | 1425 |
| Total population | 1425 |
| Government[4] | |
| Chief | Jordna Hill[5] |
| Tribal Council[4] | |
| Keewatin Tribal Council | |
Shamattawa 1 is located on the banks of the Gods River where the Echoing River joins as a right tributary. The population as of 2016[update] was 1,019, an increase of 2.1% over the 2011 figure of 998.[2]
As a remote, isolated community,[6] Shamattawa for part of the year is only connected to the rest of the province by winter and ice roads − temporary roads over frozen water. Winter roads also extend east of the community towards Fort Severn, and Peawanuck, Ontario. It can also be reached via Shamattawa Airport. It has only one grocery store.[6]
A polar bear was sighted in Shamattawa in August 2010, 400 kilometres (249 mi) south of its typical range.[7]
Climate
editShamattawa has a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc) with mild summers and severely cold winters. Precipitation is moderate, but is significantly higher in summer than at other times of the year. Due to its proximity to the Hudson Bay, storm systems often blow ashore with little warning.[8]
| Climate data for Shamattawa | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −19.3 (−2.7) |
−16.3 (2.7) |
−8.7 (16.3) |
2.6 (36.7) |
9.0 (48.2) |
17.3 (63.1) |
21.7 (71.1) |
19.6 (67.3) |
13.0 (55.4) |
4.2 (39.6) |
−6.2 (20.8) |
−16.6 (2.1) |
1.7 (35.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −26.6 (−15.9) |
−25.9 (−14.6) |
−19.7 (−3.5) |
−8.7 (16.3) |
−1.6 (29.1) |
5.4 (41.7) |
10.5 (50.9) |
9.6 (49.3) |
4.6 (40.3) |
−1.9 (28.6) |
−12.6 (9.3) |
−23.8 (−10.8) |
−7.6 (18.4) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 20 (0.8) |
16 (0.6) |
22 (0.9) |
28 (1.1) |
38 (1.5) |
58 (2.3) |
79 (3.1) |
74 (2.9) |
63 (2.5) |
47 (1.9) |
39 (1.5) |
26 (1.0) |
510 (20.1) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1mm) | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 54 |
| Mean daily sunshine hours | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 38 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 44 | 46 | 51 | 50 | 32 | 22 | 23 | 30 | 40 |
| Source 1: http://www.worldclimateguide.co.uk/climateguides/manitoba/shamattawa.php | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: http://www.storm247.com/weather/10878870/climate (temperature & rainy days) | |||||||||||||
Class action lawsuit against Canada
editIn September and October 2024 the Shamatawa brought the Canadian government to court to fight for clean drinking water. The Reserve has been under a boil water advisory since 2018. They ended up losing the battle with Canada's lawyers claiming that the government has no legal obligation to divert funding to the Shamatawas. this is in contrast to Justin Trudeau's promise in 2015 to end boil water advisories on all reserves by 2021. The Shamatawa are extremely disappointed in the result of this and say that the government is showing its "dark underbelly" that lacks concern for its citizens and their right to clean, accessible and safe drinking water.
References
edit- ^ "Shamattawa". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
- ^ a b c Statistics Canada. 2017. Shamattawa 1, IRI [Census subdivision], Manitoba and Division No. 23, CDR [Census division], Manitoba (table). Census Profile. 2016 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 98-316-X2016001. Ottawa. Released November 29, 2017. Link (accessed July 8, 2018).
- ^ Elevation taken from Google Maps at coordinates. Accessed July 8, 2018.
- ^ "Shamattawa". February 28, 2021.
- ^ a b "Shamattawa". Keewatin Tribal Council. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
- ^ a b Caruk, Holly (September 28, 2016). "Muslim charity moved to help Shamattawa after fire destroyed only grocery store". CBC News. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
- ^ "Manitoba polar bear wanders 400 km south". CBC News. August 20, 2010. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
- ^ "Shamattawa, Canada - Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast". Weather Atlas. Yu Media Group. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
- "Toporama". Atlas of Canada. Natural Resources Canada. February 4, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
- "Shamattawa First Nation". Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. November 3, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
- Census Subdivision 4623071 - Shamattawa 1, IRI (PDF) (Map). 1 : 26,921. Statistics Canada. 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2018.