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
We will be doing a draw with a prize of a $100 VISA gift card for a comment posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario
09/06/2025
As members may be aware, the omnibus Bill 5,” Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy, 2025,” is open for consultation. There are concerns not only about the environmental impacts but also about the impact on Indigenous rights as well as relationships with industry proponents. Attached is a list of points made by Andrew Case at Nokiiwin about how Bill 5 could affect members if it is passed.
We will be doing a draw with a prize of a $100 VISA gift card for a comment posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. Comments are due on the ERO website by 11:59 p.m. on May 17th. Send your confirmation to Jessica Hubbard no later than May 20th to be entered into the draw. Either take a screenshot of your confirmed comment ( after submitted)or send your email confirmation of a comment to jhubbard@bnafn.ca. If there are any questions or more information is required, please also email jhubbard@bnafn.ca
Important Notice Regarding Possible Mail Service Disruption
06/05/2025
On behalf of our electoral officer, we are making note of possible mail service disruption on May 22nd. Please ensure you get your mail-in ballots sent as soon as possible via Canada Post
Winner of Homeownership Policy survey!
29/04/2025
The winner of the homeownership policy survey is Lynzee Bewcyk! Miigwitch to all those who participated. The winner has been contacted to collect their prize.
Request for Committee Members of the Finance and Audit Committee (FAC)
22/04/2025
BNA is looking for experienced people to join the FAC. The FAC assists Council in carrying out its responsibility for financial reporting, internal control, and risk management.
The appointment to the FAC would be for a three (3) year term and the committee members would be expected to commit to preparing for and attending a minimum of four (4) meeting per year.
Interested qualified applicants can submit a letter of interest and a resume to:
Laura Airns, Chief Administrative Officer
292 S. Court Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6C6
Or by email to: lairns@bnafn.ca
Deadline: May 2nd, 2025, by 4:30pm
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
VON Exercise & Falls Prevention Class
07/04/2025
This program, offered in partnership with VON and AETS Age Well at Home, is a great opportunity for older adults from the community, residing in Thunder Bay to participate in free group exercise sessions aimed at falls prevention.
WHEN: Every Tuesday & Thursday at 1PM starting April 8th
WHERE: Howl at the Moon, 8 Cumberland St. S
Notice of Election
20/03/2025
Notice is hereby given to the electors of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek that an election will be held to elect a Chief and two (2) Councillors on Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Superior Inn Hotel & Conference Centre at 555 Arthur Street W, Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Please refer to the full Notice of Election for more information.
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
Annual Work Schedules: Kenogami and Lake Nipigon Forests
10/03/2025
In addition, the AWS and any subsequent revisions will be available for public inspection on the Natural Resources Information Portal at https://nrip.mnr.gov.on.ca/s/fmp-online or in person by appointment at one of the following locations beginning March 15, 2025, and for the one-year duration of the AWS. AWS summary maps have been included for your convenience.
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)
TC Energy’s Indigenous Legacy Scholarship program
18/02/2025
Scholarship applications opened on January 22, 2025 and are accepted until May 2th, 2025 at 11:59 PST. We offer three different types of scholarships:
- Indigenous Legacy Scholarships
- scholarships for Trades students
- scholarships for STEM focused students
Students can apply at www.tcscholarships.com.
If an individual or group of students would like to learn more about the program, please have them contact tiffany_morning_bull@tcenergy.com. We would be happy to share some tips and tricks on the application process.
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) !
