Chief spearheading various new initiatives in Sheguiandah First Nation

By Sam Laskaris

SHEGUIANDAH FIRST NATION – Chief Pearl Waindubence’s to-do list seems to be ever growing.

She was elected as the Chief of Sheguiandah First Nation, which is located on Manitoulin Island, last December. She previously served 17 years as a councillor with her First Nation.

“I was asked by a few of my community members,” Chief Waindubence said of the reason she opted to vie for the First Nation’s top executive position. “So, I took on the challenge. It’s quite exciting. But it’s a challenge for sure.”

Sheguiandah First Nation is one of 39 First Nations throughout Ontario that make up Anishinabek Nation, which is comprised of four regional areas. It is one of the 18 First Nations in the Anishinabek Nation’s Lake Huron Region.

Sheguiandah First Nation has about 500 citizens. About 220 of those live on reserve.

Chief Waindubence said she is still getting adjusted to her relatively new role.

“I’m just trying to fix up and catch up on everything that’s going on,” she said.

Chief Waindubence added that she is spearheading various initiatives in the First Nation to boost its image.

“We’re just starting to look at what we can do for our community by fixing it up,” she said. “I am doing some big changes. But we’re just trying to do what we can.”

Chief Waindubence has always lived on her First Nation.

She’s hopeful others will take notice of various projects that are on the go.

“We hope to be big someday,” she said.

A second later, however, she revised her thought. “I think we already are though,” she added.

Chief Waindubence said there are some appealing things to do in her First Nation.

“You could take a look at our park that we have here in the village,” she said. “We’re currently fixing it. We’re doing a beautification project right now. And we’re fixing up everything.”

That work includes sprucing up the First Nation’s beach area.

“We have some gazebos down there if you want to sit down and take a look at the bay, because we’re right by the bay,” she said. “It’s a beautiful bay.”

Another initiative is also happening.

“We’re working on our pow wow grounds, which will be changed to the title of Cultural Grounds,” Chief Waindubence added.

That name change will take place in the near future.

The First Nation will also have a new attraction soon.

“We’re trying to get a marina set up because we have never had one,” Chief Waindubence said. “So, we’re working on that. Hopefully by next year we should have it up.”

Chief Waindubence said the First Nation also has an old cemetery, which at times attracts some visitors.

“There’s a lot of old monuments there from the 1800s,” she said. “Some people just go there on their own and look. Maybe they have family there or some old names they want to look at. There are some old names [that] even I haven’t heard of them. So, it’s really it’s interesting.”

The First Nation is also looking to bring back one of its popular locations.

“We used to have a beautiful roundhouse,” Chief Waindubence said. “But it burned down a few years back. We are going to rebuild it. But it takes time.”

She added that she is hopeful the new roundhouse will be constructed at some point in 2027.

Adjacent to the First Nation is the village of Sheguiandah. Chief Waindubence said the village is referred to as ‘Uptown Sheg.’

It is also where one finds the Centennial Museum of Sheguiandah.

“I think it’s good that they have it,” Chief Waindubence said of the neighbouring village’s museum. “We don’t have a museum in our own First Nation, which is sad. But I’m glad they’re showing something. There are some artifacts that they have there. People could go and check it out.”

The museum is owned by the Township of Howland.

“You’ll find old pictures of the old Sheguiandah and the new Sheguiandah, referring to both areas,” Chief Waindubence said. “It is an educational experience. They do have some nice artifacts in there. And they have old log buildings there that you can go and see. It’s pretty interesting.”