Hiawatha First Nation

What Hiawatha First Nation does

Hiawatha First Nation, also known as the Michisaagiig of Rice Lake (Mississaugii of Rice Lake), is a federally recognized Indigenous community government located on the north shore of Rice Lake, east of the Otonabee River in south-central Ontario, Canada. It governs approximately 2,145 acres of reserve land — including 1,523 acres held under Certificates of Possession, the Serpent Mounds National Historic Site, and islands in the Trent — supporting roughly 250 on-territory citizens across 163 homes and 75 leased properties. The community operates under its own Land Code (ratified July 14, 2021, effective August 1, 2021) under the First Nations Land Management Act, replacing Indian Act land management with community-developed rules for purchasing, selling, registering land, and dispute resolution.

The organization delivers a full suite of municipal-style services through specialized departments: Health & Social Services (community health nursing, mental health, NIHB coverage, family wellbeing, Ontario Works), Education (counseling and financial assistance K–post-secondary), Housing (loans, rentals, RRAP rehabilitation), Lands (Land Code administration), Water Operations (new 2023 treatment plant with 20,000-gallon reservoir and SCADA), Public Works, Fire & Police (20 volunteer firefighters), and the L.I.F.E. Services Centre hub. Underlying infrastructure includes fiber optic internet, a 22 kW solar installation at the L.I.F.E. Centre, and shoreline restoration along Rice Lake funded through the Natural Infrastructure Fund. Cultural assets include Serpent Mounds, an annual Traditional Powwow, and Indigenous Day celebrations.

Hiawatha's funding model combines federal and provincial government transfers for community services and capital projects (including CORDA natural resource funding up to $35,000 per project) with revenue from 75 land leases and band-owned commercial operations — the Old Railroad Stop (ORRS) store, gas station, restaurant, and online shopping channel open to the general public. The community participates as one of seven Williams Treaties First Nations in a $700 million collective equity investment in Ontario Power Generation's Darlington New Nuclear Project, the largest First Nations investment in nuclear generation in Canada, supported by a Canadian Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation loan guarantee with the Province of Ontario as 50% participating guarantor.

Name

Hiawatha First Nation

Legal name

Hiawatha First Nation

Website

https://hiawathafirstnation.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hiawatha First Nation is a federally recognized Michi Saagiig Indigenous community government on the north shore of Rice Lake, Ontario, serving approximately 250 on-territory citizens through departments spanning health, education, housing, water, public works, fire/police, and lands management under a self-ratified Land Code, while generating commercial revenue via the Old Railroad Stop store, gas station, and restaurant.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indigenous Community Services

NAICS

American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments (921150), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tribal/Indigenous Public Health Authorities (HLAJAAAD), Land Use, Indigenous & Community Engagement Policy (EUAMANAL)

Keywords

• First nations governance
• Indigenous community services
• Land management services
• Community health programs
• Band-owned retail operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Hiawatha

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Community Commercial Operations: The Old Railroad Stop (ORRS) store, gas station, and restaurant operate as band-owned commercial enterprises generating revenue from retail sales to both community members and the general public. Additional craft shops operate on the reserve.
2. Land Leases: Revenue from 75 leased properties on reserve land managed under the community's land tenure system.
3. Government Funding and Grants: Federal and provincial government funding for community services, infrastructure, economic development (including CORDA natural resource funding up to $35,000 per project), and capital projects.
4. Economic Development Projects: Strategic economic initiatives including Serpent Mounds National Historic Site redevelopment, business development support, and partnership projects with Williams Treaties First Nations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hiawatha First Nation is a federally recognized self-governed Indigenous community (Michisaagiig of Rice Lake) providing comprehensive community services to its approximately 250 on-territory citizens through multiple departments including Health & Social Services, Education, Housing, Lands/Land Code governance, Public Works, Water Operations, and Fire & Police Services. The Nation also operates commercial enterprises including the Old Railroad Stop retail store, gas station, and restaurant, and manages cultural heritage sites such as Serpent Mounds National Historic Site.

Product overview

Hiawatha First Nation is a First Nations community government organization located on the north shore of Rice Lake, Ontario, offering a diverse portfolio of community services and infrastructure programs rather than a unified technology product. The organization's services are organized into departments including Land Code governance, Water Operations, Public Works, Health & Social Services, Housing, Education, Economic Development, and Emergency Services. Community businesses include the Old Railroad Stop retail store, gas station, and restaurant, while cultural attractions include the Serpent Mounds National Historic Site, annual Powwow, and Indigenous Day celebrations. Infrastructure initiatives encompass fiber optic internet, solar power installation, and shoreline restoration projects. The L.I.F.E. Services Centre serves as the hub for health and social programs, child care, and community gatherings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Old Railroad Stop Store & Gas Station A band-owned retail store and gas station operated by Hiawatha First Nation, offering groceries and fuel to community citizens and the general public. The store provides online shopping convenience through its website (oldrailroadstop.ca), operating daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.
• Old Railroad Stop Restaurant Restaurant services operated as part of the Old Railroad Stop business hub, offering dining to community members and visitors.
• L.I.F.E. Services Centre Lasting Individual Family Enrichment Centre at 431 Hiawatha Line 10, housing Health and Social Programs, Child Care Centre, War Memorial Monument, and Elders Room. Established in 1999, the centre provides comprehensive community health and social services to Hiawatha First Nation citizens.
• Serpent Mounds National Historic Site under redevelopment by Hiawatha First Nation, representing significant Indigenous cultural heritage of the Michisaagiig people.
• Land Code Community-developed land management framework replacing Indian Act provisions for land governance, including rules for purchasing, selling, registering land, financial accountability, land law-making, and dispute resolution processes. Ratified by citizen vote and effective August 1, 2021.
• Water Operations Water source protection, drinking water quality monitoring, testing, and community water facility management adhering to the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act. Operates with a 20,000 gallon reservoir and SCADA monitoring system.
• Public Works Community infrastructure services including snow plowing, sanding, backhoe rental, and maintenance of public buildings, ball diamond, and cemetery. Operated from the Public Works facility at 117 Sopers Lane.
• Health & Social Services Comprehensive health and social programs including community health nursing, mental health services, child and family services, cultural coordination, family wellbeing support, and youth services for Hiawatha First Nation citizens.
• Housing Program On-territory housing services including traditional loans, BMO loans, emergency loans, rental units, and residential rehabilitation assistance for community members.
• Education Services Educational counseling and financial assistance for elementary, secondary, post-secondary, and mature students, including post-secondary appeal board and education committee support.
• Child Care Centre Child care services located at the L.I.F.E. Services Centre, operating under Ontario Ministry regulations.
• Fire & Police Services Community policing and fire services including general law enforcement, public safety education, firefighting with 20 volunteer personnel, and ice/water rescue capabilities, operating as part of the Otonabee-South Monaghan Volunteer Fire Department.
• Fiber Optic Internet High-speed fiber optic internet service available in the Hiawatha First Nation community.
• Solar Power Installation 22 kilowatt solar panel installation producing clean energy at the L.I.F.E. Services & Cultural Centre, funded by the Government of Canada.
• Annual Powwow Annual Traditional Powwow event celebrating Michisaagiig culture and traditions, open to the community and visitors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Land Code ratified by community vote (172 Yes, 140 No from 315 ballots cast)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Williams Treaties First NationsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Seven Williams Treaties First Nations (Alderville, Beausoleil, Curve Lake, Chippewas of Georgina Island, Hiawatha, Chippewas of Rama, Mississaugas of Scugog Island) announced a historic $700 million collective investment in Ontario Power Generation's Darlington New Nuclear Project, the largest First Nations investment in nuclear generation in Canada.
• Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg Nations (Alderville, Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Scugog Island)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2025Joint statement on Darlington New Nuclear Project acknowledging announcement from provincial and federal governments regarding equity investment in OPG's project on ancestral and treaty lands.
• Otonabee-South Monaghan Volunteer Fire DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHiawatha First Nation Fire Service operates as part of Otonabee-South Monaghan Volunteer Fire Department, sharing resources, training, and emergency response capabilities with the township.
• Canada Ontario Resource Development Agreement (CORDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCORDA is a tripartite initiative between Federal, Provincial and First Nation governments providing funding for natural resource management and economic development projects. Governed by Grand Council Treaty #3, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Union of Ontario Indians, Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, and Independent First Nations.
• PTBOStrongminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit organization formed in response to the opioid epidemic, partnered with Hiawatha First Nation to raise funds for awareness, education, homelessness, health and wellness initiatives.
• Ontario Power Generation (OPG)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOPG is the recipient of the $700 million Williams Treaties First Nations investment in the Darlington New Nuclear Project, including Canada's first grid-scale Small Modular Reactor.
• Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-service Indigenous wellbeing agency providing wraparound services that are culturally-based and family-focused for children, youth, and families.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Six Nations of the Grand River: Largest First Nation in Ontario (~27,000 members) operating a much broader economic and service portfolio; comparable as an Indigenous government operating community infrastructure, economic development, and land management — though at materially greater scale than Hiawatha.

Direct peers

• Alderville First Nation: Williams Treaties First Nation co-investor in the $700M Darlington deal and operator of comparable self-governed departments (Lands, Health, Public Works) under the same Land Management Act regime.
• Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation: Williams Treaties co-investor and neighbouring Ontario First Nation running analogous self-governed services and joint nuclear deal participation.
• Chippewas of Rama First Nation: Williams Treaties partner of similar size operating Casino Rama and broader economic enterprises alongside the same Darlington nuclear consortium as Hiawatha.
• Curve Lake First Nation: Adjacent Williams Treaties First Nation on the south shore of Rice Lake operating the same suite of government services, Land Code framework, and joint Darlington New Nuclear Project investment as Hiawatha.
• Beausoleil First Nation: Williams Treaties member on Georgian Bay delivering parallel community services, commercial operations, and joint nuclear investment with Hiawatha.
• Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation: Sister Williams Treaties Nation with comparable small-population governance model and shared investment in the Darlington project alongside Hiawatha.

Others

• Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI): Provincial Indigenous organization of which Hiawatha is a member — comparable as an umbrella advocacy/service body that aggregates interests for its First Nation constituents.
• Federation of Canadian Municipalities: National association representing Canadian municipal governments — comparable as a counterpart governance body that Hiawatha engages with for federal funding and intergovernmental relations, though structurally distinct.

Regional players

• Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation: Ontario First Nation administering land via Land Code and operating similar government, health, and infrastructure functions; regionally adjacent but outside Williams Treaties.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hiawathafirstnation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hiawatha First Nation