Wollaston Lake
Nursing Station (The Clinic)
The Health Centre provides the health services to the community. Primary care nurses provide 24 hour emergency care. Clinic hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am - 5 pm. Services include health programs and treatments as well. The health care team consists of three community Health Nurses and one Homecare Nurse, one dental therapist, two community health representatives, one TB worker and one travel coordinator. The nearest medical facility with doctor services is La Ronge Hospital, which has a 32 bed occupancy and facilities to deliver low-risk pregnancies.
For emergency medical evacuation, there is an air ambulance from La Ronge to transport patients via air to La Ronge Hospital.
A physician from La Ronge comes in two times weekly, depending on schedule, Monday and Wednesday.
Mental health services are provided on a monthly basis in the community.
Dentist and optometrists come in one or two times a year. There is a full time Dental Therapist.
Other specialized services are available in Prince Albert or Saskatoon. Nursing support and supervision is provided by PAGC Health division.
For more information, contact Mary Denechezhe, Health Director at 633-2167.
The newly built
Band Store is owned by Hatchet Lake Economic Development.
With the Band Store in operation, a gas rebate to
Band members will be effective. The location of the Band Store is
right near the Band Office.
The prices are quite comparable in the community but tend to be
more expensive if you are used to shopping at Safeway or the Super Store
in larger centers.
FOR STORE HOURS AND OTHER INFORMATION, the contact person is Glenda Hansen at 633-2050 or 633-2211.
The RCMP detachment in Wollaston Lake currently has six regular members and one full time steno on staff.
The RCMP in Wollaston Lake are committed to community-based policing which is a partnership between the police and the community, sharing the delivery of police services. Member of the Wollaston Lake Detachment pledge to treat all people equally and with respect, to uphold the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to serve and protect the community, and to work with the community and other agencies to prevent or resolve problems that affect the community's safety and quality of life.
Members of the Wollaston Lake Detachment are involved in the By-Law Committee, Restorative Justice Initiatives, Police Management Board, Interagency Committee, Dare Program, Traditional Art Contest, as well as other community events. The Detachment works along side the Chief and Council on various initiatives such as the Winter Carnival and security. Members of the detachment have raised funds for hockey equipment and actively participate in community events along with their regular policing responsibilities.
All member of the detachment frequent the schools giving lectures and also participate in judging contests and assist in mediation when necessary. The detachment has excellent working relationships and active participation with the Chief and Council and all the agencies within the community. Their goal is not only to be peacekeepers but to also be a part of and work with the community to provide service.
The original Dene word for "police", when translated meant "the people who take people away". This negative term originated from the time the police came in only to arrest people. The community and the detachment have been working towards developing a positive working relationship with the community.
The local Justice of the Peace (JP) is Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth. Rosalie assists the members in their policing duties and is the community's Coroner. She will also sign as Commissioner of Oaths any important documentation.
Transwest Air was formed from the merger of AirSask Aviation and Athabaska Air on August 01, 2000. Ever since it has been providing daily scheduled flights and charter flights to Wollaston Lake and several other northern communities. These flights provide Wollaston with daily freight and first-class mail service Sunday through Friday with additional Saturday and Sunday flights during the summer months.
The cost of a ticket to the south can vary as much as 25% depending on how far in advance you pay for your ticket. A nine seat twin engine aircraft is stationed in Wollaston to provide charter service to Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba including Medevacs to the south.
For more information on flights and charters, call John Elander, Base Manager or any of the staff at the local terminal at 633-2022 or Transwest's reservations office at 1-800-667-9356.
Saint Adrian is the Roman Catholic
parish at Wollaston Lake. The church is
located across the bay from the high school.
The buildings consist of a church with a seating capacity of 400, a
small residence, and a hall.
As the Catholic church, we
are
catholic, that is, universal, all people are
welcome and we hope that as teachers you will find a home with us.
Our church is not a service
organization but rather a community of faith, centered on the person of
Jesus Christ. Our faith in Jesus Christ
leads us to grow to the fullness of life as individuals and is the basis
of our relationships as a community.
Together, in Christ, we work for the good and betterment of all.
Our Sunday Eucharistic celebrations
take place at 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The
morning liturgy is in Dene insofar as possible and takes upwards of two
hours. The evening celebration, which is
designed for young people and for those whose first language is English,
lasts for about an hour. During the week
there is daily prayer at 6:00 p.m. which is either Eucharistic or
Service of the Word. Sacramental preparation
is provided for by volunteers.
FOR TIMES AND DATES, please refer to the parish bulletin or call 633-2002.
Please feel welcome to join our Catholic community of faith
As we celebrate the saving power of Jesus Christ!
The following is a guideline for residents living and working in the Wollaston Lake area. For updated and more detailed information, you should obtain copies of the Saskatchewan Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Guides available at your local Saskatchewan Environment Office. Local Conservation Officers can also answer any questions you may have.
Background
The Hatchet Lake Band signed Treaty No. 10 with the Government of Canada on August 22, 1907, thus giving Treaty Indians unlimited rights to hunt and fish on their traditional land, as they had for hundreds of years previous. In the 1930s, the Government of Canada transferred the administration and control of unoccupied crown land to the Province of Saskatchewan under the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement, giving authority to the Province to establish laws and regulations in an effort to conserve our natural resources. Under the agreement, First Nations treaty rights were modified, restricting their rights to hunt and fish. As a result, Treaty Indians are only allowed to gather wild meat and fish for their own sustenance. This modification was made to ensure populations of animals and fish stocks are maintained at a sustainable level. Both the Province and the First Nations feel that if a profit could be made from the sale of wildlife, it would have a detrimental effect on wildlife populations used to sustain northern communities. Since that time the Province, together with the First Nations, have implemented several regulations, not only to conserve natural resources, but to ensure safe hunting practices as well.
Wildlife
Wildlife taken under treaty rights cannot be sold, bartered or traded. Meat and animal parts may only be given to other band members. Some wildlife taken under a license may be sold with proper permits obtained from your local Conservation Officer.
Status Indians have the right to hunt for food at any time of the year, day or night, without a license, on lands with they have the right of access. Non-natives do not have these same privileges and must follow season dates and purchase licenses in order to hunt.
Non-native people may hunt caribou in northern Saskatchewan, however, individuals must have lived in the Wollaston Lake area a minimum of three months immediately preceding the date of purchasing a caribou license.
Non-natives are required to wear a complete outer suit of white, bright red, yellow or orange while hunting. Although Status Indians are not required to observe the dress code, they are encouraged to wear bright clothing to make themselves visible, for their own safely. Note: individuals hunting during archery/muzzleloader season are not required to observe the dress code.
Hunters must carry their hunting license or Treaty Status Card on their person while hunting and produce it upon request by a Conservation Officer or RCMP Officer.
No person may waste, abandon, or destroy edible meat taken under Treaty entitlement or by non-native license.
Game preserves, wildlife refuges or other closed area are designed to protect wildlife and hunting by anyone including subsistence hunters is prohibited.
No person may use an aircraft for any purpose connected with searching for, hunting or killing game, except as a means of transportation to a hunting camp.
Non-natives may hunt all days of the week except Sundays during an open game season.
Nuisance bears may be destroyed only if there is an immediate risk to human life or property. Any bear destroyed for this reason must be reported immediately to a Conservation Officer.
Fisheries
Fish taken under treaty rights cannot be sold, bartered or traded. Fish may only be given to other band members. A non-native may only buy fish from a commercial fisherman or retailer. Anyone who purchases fish directly from a commercial fisherman should ask to see a valid license and obtain a sales receipt for proof of purchase.
Status Indians have the right to fish for food at any time of the year, day or night, without a license. Non-natives doe not have these same privileges and must follow season dates and purchase licenses in order to angle. The dates for the 2001-2002 year were: May 25, 2001 - April 15, 2002. Non-natives are not allowed to angle after April 15th, 2002 until the next season starts, near the end of May, 2002.
Status Indians may use a variety of methods to catch fish for food, including angling, net fishing, snagging, snaring, spearing, dip netting or gaffing. Non-natives may take game fish by either angling or underwater spear fishing.
No person may fish by any means in closed areas. Closed areas are put in place as a conservation measure to protect fish when and where they are vulnerable to over fishing. Most closed areas are in effect to protect fish during their spring or fall spawning times. Your local Conservation Officer can tell you where closed area are located. They are also listed in the Saskatchewan Angler's Guide.
Wollaston Lake and several other outlying lakes in the area are considered Catch and Release waters. Special reduced angling limits have been implemented on these waters to help protect or sustain a fishery. Barbless hooks are mandatory on all Catch and Release waters. A complete list of CR lakes and angling limits are enclosed in the Saskatchewan Angler's Guide.
No person may waste, abandon, or destroy fish taken under Treaty entitlements or by non-native angling license.
Anglers must carry their angling license or Treaty Status Card with them while fishing, and produce the license upon request by a Conservation Officer or RCMP Officer.
Safety Regulations
The safety regulations contained in the Wildlife Act and Regulations apply to all hunters, including Treaty Indians. A brief description is as follows:
Careless hunting.
Hunting while intoxicated.
Carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle.
Hunting within 500 meters of an occupied building.
Discharge a firearm along or across a highway or grid road.
Discharge a firearm from a vehicle.
Hunt at night with the use of artificial light.
As this is just a brief list of the implemented regulations, people are encouraged to consult the Saskatchewan Hunting Guide or contact a Conservation Officer for more detailed information regarding the regulations in the Wildlife Act.
Saskatchewan is internationally recognized for some of the best freshwater angling and hunting opportunities in the world. You can help keep it that way by reporting poachers, hunting violations, and environmental polluters through the toll free Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-667-7561 - 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. All calls are confidential.
Conservation Officers can
be contacted through Southend -
The Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation Corporation is owned by the Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation. The office has up to 102 employees, five full time employees, 96 seasonal workers, and a Director, Anne Robillard.
The Economic Development has contracts with Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation on term basis (three years).
Local employees are trained and certified to operate and meet Occupation Health and Safety Standards.
Our responsibilities are not limited to "economic development" in the office only. Effective economic development requires team work in all aspects of our operations, both on and off reserve.
Our team members are involved and/or a part of:
We manage and provide services:
Training and Personal Growth:
Joint Ventures:
Goals and Objectives:
For further information regarding Economic Development call the Director, Anne Robillard, at (306)633-2050 or send an email to:
Radio/MBC is an Aboriginal-owned radio station on FM 91.9 and is a popular station for all northerners, providing current news both provincially and nationally. Birthday and anniversary requests are aired every morning. “Who Wants to be a Movie Goer?” is a regular feature, but getting the right answer is tricky. There are weekly bingos on Wednesdays for the Athabasca Region and on Sundays for all listeners; occasionally they have major prizes.
Ridsdale Transport is the company
that caters to the North. The Saskatoon
depot will take shipments directly to Wollaston Lake.
Points North will carry the shipment on to Wollaston Lake.
At the beginning of each school year, the education office faxes
a list of the teachers’ names to the transport company.
The Education Program covers only the costs of shipping to either Prince Albert or Saskatoon; shipping beyond those points is at your cost. The Education Program covers the costs of shipping to the limit indicated in the Policy Manual in effect for this contract year. The program is not responsible for lost, damage, or stolen belongings during transport.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION regarding
freight, contact our office at 633-4810.
The POINTS NORTH DEPOT NUMBER is
633-2137.
RIDSDALE INFORMATION:
· Prince Albert, 29 N North Industrial Drive, 764-0934
· Saskatoon, 2314 Northridge Drive, 931-1188.
Points North Landing - located 58 km directly west of Wollaston at the end of Highway 905 and the beginning of the Athabasca Seasonal Road was established in October of 1984 in order to provide a truck/air terminal for freight going to Wollaston, Stony Rapids, Black Lake, Fond Du Lac and at that time, Uranium City. This effectively reduced the freight rate to all communities by as much as 50%.
Points North Freight Forwarding, Inc. is the operator of the Point North Landing Airport, which is owned by Cogema Resources Inc., Points North Forwarding, Inc. and Wollaston Lake Lodge. This runway is the longest in the North by 1950 meters. From these facilities, Points North Freight Forwarding sells and delivers all types of fuels including propane. We expedite for the exploration companies and fishing lodges in this area, the North West Territories and western Manitoba. On site Points North Freight Forwarding, Inc. provides a dining room and some rooms for rent. We have a contract with Ridsdale Transport to provide the freight service to our facilities at Points North Landing.
Points Athabasca Contracting Ltd (PACL) was formed in September 1999. The Athabasca Basin Development Corporation, Points North Freight Forwarding and Graham Group Ltd. entered into a construction venture to facilitate the upcoming mining and road construction work in the Athabasca region. Point Athabasca was formed with the commitment of all seven basin communities in an effort to directly benefit the region with all construction jobs and revenues. To date, PACL has been involved in the Fond Du Lac road, the Black Lake road, Highway 905-3 road and several other road upgrades. PACL was also contracted by the ASDC to supervise the Black Lake road winter maintenance, and ice road construction. PACL operates a fully facilitated equipment repair shop at Point North Landing. This shop is capable of repairing heavy equipment, buses, medium duty trucks, and minor automotive repairs. The Athabasca Health Facility located near Black Lake is also a PACL project. This new health facility will replace the Uranium City facility which will only be used as a clinic in the future. PACL has plans to work with and for the Athabasca residents for years to come. Please feel free to call our shop at 633-2263 or our business office at 683-3386 in Saskatoon.
There are only two local stations but it seems that every household owns a satellite dish. Teachers may wish to bring their own satellite equipment. Please contact our office before you install your satellite dish. Most of the Teacherages have an existing dish in place.
There is one highway that serves
the town. At about 35 km north of La Ronge,
the pavement ends and the gravel highway begins.
Depending on your driving experience, this road can be either
enjoyable or terrifying. Its main use is as
a mining truck road, so many semi trailer trucks pass back and forth
along the narrow, winding and bumpy road.
For most motorists, the road is best suited for larger vehicles such as
trucks.
There are three main highway
maintenance camps at La Ronge, Brabant, and Giekie River that maintain
roads. Just recently the Economic
Development entered into a contract to maintain the highway to Points
North. Spare tires and quality 10-ply tires
are a must. Many people leave their vehicles
at Points North, Barge Landing, or the Wollaston Lake Lodge for
safekeeping. Upon parking their trucks,
people generally fly, boat, barge, or snowmobile across the lake to
Wollaston, depending on the season. If you
want your vehicle parked in town, you must book on the barge.
The roads within the community are very rough and are hard on
vehicles. The ice road is maintained by
Economic Development and is in operation in mid-January.
Since our employer provides travel
to Wollaston in the fall, and to Saskatoon at the end of the school
year, many staff park their vehicles down south.
Some people bring their vehicles into town when the winter road
is open, although it is possible to live here without a vehicle.
It is recommended that a good set of tires be purchased and that survival gear, tow ropes and roadside emergency gear be handy.
FOR ROAD INFORMATION, the Highway Hotline number is 1-888-335-7623.