We are Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek - Sand Point First Nation
An Ojibwa First Nation dedicated to serving our generations by creating a self-sustaining and healthy community for today and tomorrow.
Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek
Sand Point First Nation
The Values that lead BNA’s Economic Development include:
- Ambition
We pro-actively seek out opportunities and are driven to achieve results
- Self-Sufficiency
We will make sound, sustainable business and financial decisions so we can set our own path and support our people
- Fairness
We consider all perspectives and potential impacts in our decision making and provide equal opportunity to all
- Continuous Improvement
We learn from our experiences, the wisdom of our Elders and our mistakes to ensure we are always getting better as we move forward
- Collaboration
We welcome and seek out opportunities to partner with our neighbours, local businesses, regional industry and government to achieve the best possible outcome
Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek
News and Announcements
Events Calendar
Notice: Understanding Housing Renovation Requests and Requirements
05/06/2025
BNA remains committed to supporting our own people first, especially when it comes to community work. This value is a key part of our vision and mandate, and it is one that Chief and Council are dedicated to upholding as we build a stronger, more resilient community.
As we continue to experience positive growth and development on ourland, it is important to follow the established policies and procedures. The Housing Department takes these responsibilities seriously and follows strict protocols when it comes to home construction and renovation.
For members interested in home renovations, please refer to BNA Policy 3.9: Renovation of Rental or Rent-to-Own Homes for detailed information. The Housing Department issues permission letters based on renovation requests and ensures that all work aligns with building codes and standards.
While tenants are responsible for selecting and paying their own contractors, BNA will review the work to ensure all work being completed aligns with the BNA housing policy. Please note that BNA is not responsible for hiring or managing contractors directly.
Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to building a strong community together.
Violet Legarde (1938 - 2025)
09/06/2025
À sa résidence, le samedi 31 mai 2025, à l’âge de 87 ans et 2 mois, est décédée madame Violet Legarde, épouse de feu Lucien Drouin et fille de feu Joseph Legarde et de feu Veronica Wawaie.
At her residence, on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the age of 87 years and 2 months, passed away Mrs. Violet Legarde, wife of the late Lucien Drouin and daughter of the late Joseph Legarde and the late Veronica Wawaie.
Elle demeurait à Saint-Georges.
She resided in Saint-Georges.
Madame Violet Legarde sera exposée au salon Astral du Parc commémoratif Chaudière-Appalaches, 2455, 25e Rue Saint-Georges le samedi 14 juin 2025 de 14h à 17h45.
Mrs. Violet Legarde will be at rest in the Astral Room of Chaudière-Appalaches Memorial Park, 2455, 25th Street Saint-Georges on Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Un hommage sera célébré le même jour soit le samedi 14 juin 2025 à 18h en la chapelle du Parc commémoratif Chaudière-Appalaches et de là au crématorium du Parc commémoratif Chaudière-Appalaches.
A tribute will be held on the same day, Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the chapel of Chaudière-Appalaches Memorial Park and from there to the crematorium of Chaudière-Appalaches Memorial Park.
Ultérieurement la mise en terre aura lieu au cimetière l’Assomption sous la direction de La maison Roy & Giguère inc. Saint-Georges.
Burial will subsequently take place at the Assomption Cemetery under the direction of La maison Roy & Giguère inc. Saint-Georges.
Elle laisse dans le deuil ses enfants : Réginald Legarde (Debbie Legarde), Shirley Drouin, Marco Drouin, Marlène Drouin, Dany Drouin (Marcel Bolduc) et un enfant par alliance feu Yvan Drouin; ses petits-enfants : Jennifer Legarde, Régis Binet, Christian Binet (Annie-Pier Poulin), Stéphane Binet, Denis Drouin, feu Nathalie Drouin, Jean-Stéphane Drouin (Mélodie Campion), Chantal Drouin, Jessy Morin, Jimmy Drouin, Bianca Drouin (Steven Grondin), Isabelle Drouin-Vachon (Sébastien Turgeon), Catherine Drouin-Vachon (Rémi Goulet), Anne-Marie Gagné (Jason Bergeron), Anthony Gagné (Julia),Sylvain Gilbert, Cindy Gilbert (Martin Gagnon-Savard), Stéphanie Gilbert (Keven Jacques), Bruno Gilbert (Érika Morin), Jovany Drouin-Boulet et Sylvie Drouin (Stéphane Thériault) et ses 39 arrière-petits-enfants.
She is survived by her children: Réginald Legarde (Debbie Legarde), Shirley Drouin, Marco Drouin, Marlène Drouin, Dany Drouin (Marcel Bolduc) and a stepchild, the late Yvan Drouin; her grandchildren: Jennifer Legarde, Régis Binet, Christian Binet (Annie-Pier Poulin), Stéphane Binet, Denis Drouin, the late Nathalie Drouin, Jean-Stéphane Drouin (Mélodie Campion), Chantal Drouin, Jessy Morin, Jimmy Drouin, Bianca Drouin (Steven Grondin), Isabelle Drouin-Vachon (Sébastien Turgeon), Catherine Drouin-Vachon (Rémi Goulet), Anne-Marie Gagné (Jason Bergeron), Anthony Gagné (Julia), Sylvain Gilbert, Cindy Gilbert (Martin Gagnon-Savard), Stéphanie Gilbert (Keven Jacques), Bruno Gilbert (Érika Morin), Jovany Drouin-Boulet and Sylvie Drouin (Stéphane Thériault) and her 39 great-grandchildren.
Elle laisse dans le deuil les membres des familles Drouin ainsi que ses neveux, nièces, cousins, cousines et ami(e)s.
She is survived by members of the Drouin family as well as her nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
RST Review Information
05/06/2025
Anyone is welcome to sit in the review hearings presented at the Thunder Bay Courthouse. The review hearing will also be available to watch online.
The first day of each week that the Court is sitting for the review hearing there will be a sunrise ceremony in Paterson Park at approximately 7:15AM. The sacred fire will burn in Paterson Park each day that the Court is sitting for the review hearing. Anyone is welcome to join these ceremonies.
If BNA members have any questions or concerns on how to view the review hearings, please contact Jake Alfieri at jalfieri@bnafn.ca
Wellness Opportunities Initiative
04/06/2025
Anishinabek Employment & Training Services (AETS) in co-operation with its partners, are delivering a Wellness Opportunities Initiative to assess pre-employment, health and treatment needs of eligible First Nation participants living with a disability.
Key outcomes for individuals include gaining the tools, skills, and information to obtain employment, become employed or self-employed.
Key outcomes for employers include increased ability to hire, retain, and support persons living with a disability in the workplace
Apply now to join the next Generation Power cohert!
21/05/2025
The new Generation Power cohort 5 is now in full swing. We’re inviting Indigenous youth and forward-thinking employers to apply now!
- Youth Participants: Generation Power offers exciting opportunities for First Nation, Inuit and Métis youth (18-30 years) who are eager to advance their clean energy careers and help build a more equitable energy future for all. As a youth participant, you’ll embark on a 3 to 12-month-long paid internship in the clean energy sector, where you’ll gain valuable skills and connect with industry leaders. The program also includes coaching and mentorship opportunities to support your growth and success. Program spots are limited, so apply now to launch your clean energy career!
- Employer Applicants: Generation Power invites applications from clean energy employers in Canada that offer supportive, inclusive, and meaningful work placements for Indigenous youth participants. The program provides a wage subsidy of 75% (up to $30,000) and coaching to attract and retain Indigenous talent. If you’re committed to fostering the next generation of leaders, apply here to become a participating employer.
We are happy to talk with you about any questions you may have about the program and the application process. Email the Generation Power team at genpower@indigenouscleanenergy.com.
Niizhoojijaak-Dinawemaganug Kamamowichigeymin
21/05/2025
The Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre & Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek invites you to Niizhoojijaak-Dinawemaganug Kamamowichigeymin Two-Spirit and All Our Relations Coming Together, a Celebration Honouring Pride/Two-Spirit Peoples on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 150 Grandview Road. Parking available at Jackpine Park.
Shuttle Service at Silvercity to Grandview at 11AM and 1PM and from Grandview to Silvercity at 3PM, 5PM, 6PM.
BNA Final Election
27/05/2025
- Chief Paul Gladu
- Councillor Tracy Gibson
- Councillor Marcel Donio
BNA Youth Camp
27/05/2025
From July 14-17, BNA is hosting a Youth Camp on the land! There will be games, fishing, swimming, and bonfires!
For registration or questions, please email elatta@bnafn.ca
Meals and accomodations provided, and transportation is available upon request.
Planned Outage Sand Point First Nation
22/05/2025
This is a message on behalf of Hydro One’s Indigenous Relations team to notify you of an upcoming planned outage that will affect your community on Saturday June 7th for hours between 8am – 6pm (10hrs).
This outage has been planned to provide crews optimal time to complete critical maintenance to enhance the ongoing reliability and quality of the service provided in your area.
Additionally, residents of the affected areas will be receiving notifications for this outage via the Hydro One Auto Dialer system.
Below are some tips to help individuals and families during an outage:
- Make sure your appliances, such as the stove, are in the off position.
- Make sure your cell phone and extended battery packs are fully charged.
- Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Use a cooler with ice for items you’ll need during the outage.
- If your water services will be affected, consider filling jugs of water to use for drinking and cooking.
- If you plan to use a generator, remember to use it in a dry area outdoors away from any open windows, doors and vents. Visit the Electrical Safety Authority at esasafe.com for more tips.
- If your water services will be affected and you have a bathtub, consider filling it with water before the outage begins. You can use the water and a bucket to fill your toilet tank to be able to flush.
Next Phase of Housing Builds
22/05/2025
BNA Housing is excited to announce that the next phase of new housing builds is on the horizon! The process is set to officially begin in January 2026.
As part of our improved approach, members will be invited to participate in the design process, especially during the finishing stages of construction. This involvement ensures that homes reflect the needs and preferences of future residents while helping to:
✅ Keep the project on track and within budget
✅ Support more efficient internal planning
✅ Reduce administrative steps
By working together, we aim to build homes that truly serve our community—while maintaining accountability and progress throughout the development.Stay tuned for more details in upcoming newsletters and announcements from the Housing Department.
Outland Youth Employment Program
07/04/2025
A remote camp experience: Semi-private male and female accomodation On site chef 3 meals and snacks Bi-weekly pay schedule Free time after work: workout spaces, volleyball, swimming, canoeing, ect.
1. Education
OYEP offers alternative, land-based education to support all forms of learning styles
2. Work
Gain valuable work experience in Silviculture Forestry & Mining
3. Training
During the 6 weeks, complete various training with accredited certifications that focus on employment Natural Resources sector
Message to BNA Members
10/03/2025
Dear BNA community members,
With the BNA community election underway, we would like to remind members that political discussions should remain respectful on all platforms.
We are family, friends, and members of a community. Kindness, civility and respect for one another allows for more meaningful, productive, and inclusive political debates which ultimately strengthen BNA’s democratic process and help our entire community function in a harmonious and effective way.
We want to assure BNA community members that all voices are important and any questions/concerns that members have are equally as important. Part of our job, as BNA employees, is to ensure that we are open and transparent to community members. We take all questions/concerns from community members with the utmost seriousness and we understand we have a responsibility to provide clarity on any issues brought forward.
We understand that sometimes it may be difficult to reach out to Chief and Council with questions/concerns. If there are any questions/concerns, please reach out to Jake Alfieri, the BNA Communications Coordinator, by phone at (807) 228-3248 or email at jalfieri@bnafn.ca with your name and contact information so that Jake can ensure a response is provided. Jake will be filtering any questions/concerns to the appropriate BNA employee so that a response is received.
While questions, discussion, and political engagement by members is strongly encouraged, comments which are untrue, defamatory, hostile, or disrespectful are damaging to our community as a whole and will not be tolerated. There will be zero tolerance for bullying and lateral violence across all platforms towards all people; whether it is directed at another community member or a BNA employee.
We thank you for your time and look forward to hearing from you,
BNA Administrative Team
BNA Member Update on the Robinson Superior Treaty ("RST") Annuities Case
27/02/2025
BNA First Nation Housing Award
27/02/2025
Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek is honoured to receive an award at the 2025 First Nation Housing Conference in recognition of our commitment to excellence in residential construction, the quality of our homes, and the strong management of our housing portfolio. This achievement reflects the dedication of our leadership, staff, and community members in building safe, sustainable, and high-quality housing for BNA families. Through careful planning, skilled craftsmanship, and effective housing management, we continue to create homes that meet the needs of our growing community. This award is a testament to our ongoing efforts to provide quality housing while ensuring long-term sustainability for future generations. We extend our gratitude to our partners, funders, and the entire BNA community for their support in making this success possible.
The partners and funders that supported us include: BNA (Management and Coordination), CMHC (Funder), ISC (Funder), First Nations Housing Market Fund (Funder), Gotwood (Builder), Nokiiwin Tribal Council (Technical Advisory Services), TBT Engineering (Technical Advisory Services), OFNTSC (Technical Advisory Services), First Nations Northern Housing Conference (Conference Host)
Good Food Box
13/11/2024
Good Food Boxes will be available on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. Recipients must sign up for corresponding programing by the 2nd Monday of each month. Each box contains fresh fruits, garden vegetables, and fresh herbs.
Good Food Box will require the following
information:
Number of children, adults, and seniors in the
household
Contact information (phone/email)
To:
Braidey Stein at bstein@bnafn.ca
Mamaweh Neebweedoah Powwow Photos
04/06/2024
Miigwetch to all that could come out to our annual powwow! What a beautiful day at Grandview. Please click the link below to see some photos from that day.
5th Annual Anishinaabe Kwe
22/05/24
Thank you to all of the ladies who were able to make it to such a wonderful event. You may look at all the photos by clicking the link below, and you will have access to download.
Community Christmas Party
06/12/2023
A big thank you to Chondon Photography for capturing all the joy from our Community Christmas Party. To view the photos, please click the link below. If you wish to download these photos, please email jalfieri@bnafn.ca for the PIN (band members access only).
Chief Paul Gladu, Minister Patty Hajdu, Councillor Tracy Gibson
FedNor Funding for PVAWP
13/10/22
On October 13th, Patty Hajdu visited us at our Papasay Sawmill. Art Gladu, Chief Paul Gladu, Councillor Tracy Gibson, Elder Marcel, and Jordan Hatton were able to give her a tour of our facility and showcase our operation. After a smudging ceremony and an opening prayer from Elder Marcel, we could begin an announcement where FedNor invested $1.7 million to expand our Papasay Sawmill!
Councillor Tracy Gibson, Chief Paul Gladu, National Chief RoseAnne Archibald, and Councillor Lillian Calder.
Visit From National Chief RoseAnne Archibald
04/10/22
Miigwetch National Chief RoseAnne Archibald for visiting Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek on October 3rd, 2022!
We were able to give her a tour of our land and showcase the beauty of BNA. What a surprise to us all Chief Roseanne also visited our Satellite office in Thunder Bay the next day and was able to meet Chief & Council again, tour our office, and meet our staff members. Guh waabuhmiigo minnowa (We will see you again) !
