Long Plain First Nation (LPFN) is a First Nation identified by INAC as Indian Band No. 6. The community is located in the Central Plains region of Manitoba, to the southwest of Portage la Prairie along the Assiniboine River, and lies between the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie and the Rural Municipality of South Norfolk. As of December 2010 the population of LPFN totaled 3,862 of which approximately 2,115 live on reserve lands at the community of LPFN and a further 1,747 live off reserve in a number of rural southern communities and in urban centres in the province, or elsewhere in Canada. 

LPFN has two reserves, which are located entirely in the Province of Manitoba. The Reserves are comprised of approximately 10,553 acres of land.  The main community (Reserve No. 6) is where the majority of members reside and consists of 10,508 acres. The Portage la Prairie urban reserve consists of approximately 45 acres.   

LPFN is also currently in the process of establishing an urban reserve in the City of Winnipeg.  LPFN’s Additions to Reserve Submission has been sent to the Minister of INAC for approval.  Once the Ministerial Order is signed off by the Minister, the City lands purchased by LPFN’s 1994 Trust will be converted to reserve lands in the City of Winnipeg.  These reserve lands are approximately 3.5 and will be called Long Plain First Nation Madison Reserve Lands. 

HISTORY

Long Plain First Nation band members are descendants of the Ojibway Nation. On August 3, 1871, the Portage Band, then comprised of Long Plain First Nation, Swan Lake First Nation and Sandy Bay First Nation signed Treaty No.1 at the Lower Fort Garry granting the British Crown surrender of much of its land.

In 1876, Keeshkeemaquah ("Short Bear") returned to the area, now known as Long Plain, to find that his band had become amalgamated with a larger band led by Yellowquill. His people decided to separate and became the Long Plain Band, with Keeshkeemaquah as their chief.

Keeshkeemaquah was the heir to the leadership of what is now known as Long Plain.  He was only 13 years old when his father died, and he was considered too young to become chief. His father, Black Robe, was a signatory to the 1817 Selkirk Agreement.  Keeshkeemaquah travelled west, and returned in 1876 to fulfill his obligations of Chief to what is now known as Long Plain.  Keeshkeemaquah served as Chief of Long Plain from 1876 until his passing in 1915, the longest serving chief of Long Plain.

GOVERNANCE 

LPFN is represented by an elected Chief and Council.  The First Nation currently conducts its elections through customary practice.  Council is currently comprised of a Chief and four council members who each serve three year terms.  LPFN is affiliated with Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council (“DOTC”) and is a member of the Southern Chiefs Organization, and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Secretariat Inc.  

Council is supported by a developed administrative structure. The administration has been departmentalized and is comprised of numerous departments:

• Finance & Administration
• Intergovernmental Affairs
• Public Works
• Housing
• Operations and Maintenance
• Health and Welfare
• Economic Development
• Education & Training
• Child and Family Services
• Natural Resources
• Future Development
• Culture and Recreation
• Policing and Emergency Response Unit (LPFN will have on-site policing in 2011 through Dakota Ojibway Police Service)

Annual plans and budgets are adhered to. The Chief and Council have a long-term development plan as well as a five-year capital plan.

LPFN, through its Chief and Council, is responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of diverse public works and for the delivery of education, health and social programming for members residing both on and off reserve.  Each department has established policies and procedures and is managed by a Program Director who reports to a responsible designated member of Council and it ultimately accountable to the members through Chief and Council. 

LPFN has been operating under a five year Canada First Nations Funding Agreement (“CFNFA”) ending in March, 2010. The CFNFA was extended by INAC for another year while they determine new funding agreements with First Nations across Canada. 

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Long Plain School is locally controlled and the academic programs are mandated by the Manitoba provincial curriculum. The total student population was 257 from nursery to grade eight. In addition to the regular courses, a cultural/language program is in place to promote our culture and to keep our language alive. Students attend classes from nursery to grade eight. There are 39 staff members with the majority being tribal members from the community.  

During the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the Post Secondary Program provided educational assistance to 173 tribal members.  

Long Plain First Nation Training Centre, in partnership with the Collegiate, University of Winnipeg, operated an adult learning program for the 2009-2010 academic year. There were 6 graduates who received their mature grade twelve diploma in June of 2010. 

LPFN delivers child and family services in the community under an agreement with Dakota Ojibway Child and Family Services Agency, which is located in Brandon, Manitoba. 

LPFN delivers a comprehensive range of social programs for members of the community including: 

• Welfare;
• Elder care;
• Home care;
• Work opportunities;
• Community outreach;
• Addiction abuse; and
• Social housing

 LPFN administers various health services under its CFNFA which includes: 

• Non-insured Health Benefits;
• Environmental Health;
• Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative;
• First Nation Home and Community Care;
• Aboriginal Headstart;
• Canada Prenatal Nutrition;
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome;
• Integrated Health Services; and
• Capital Account

LPFN funds and operates a recreation program, which focuses on youth participation in sports and cultural events. 

LPFN funds, operates and maintains numerous community facilities including:  

• two administration offices;
• a programs office
• a public works garage;
• a band hall;
• a fire and emergency response centre;
• a conference centre;
• a youth centre;
• an indoor arena;
• a nursing station;
• a daycare centre;
• a personal care home; and

LPFN operates a public works department, which maintains the community infrastructure on reserve including: 

• a road system of approximately 61 kms within the community;
• water and wastewater treatment plants;
• a sanitary landfill;
• a variety of essential services including fire protection and emergency response services;
• a volunteer fire department comprised of 10 to 12 members;
• an ambulance service;
• a security services program, which has a staff complement of  6 for all its community facilities.

 LPFN established and operates a licensed gaming commission under an agreement with the Province of Manitoba for the regulation of gaming (VLT’s and break open lotteries) on reserve. The LPFN Nation Gaming Commission is governed by a board of directors consisting of 5 members of LPFN. The board is accountable to the members through Chief and Council. 

LPFN established and funds and operates a radio station, Rez Radio 101.7 FM which broadcasts within the community.  

The LPFN operates a number of business enterprises including a store owned by Arrowhead Development Corporation (“ADC”), and two gas service stations.   ADC is a share capital corporation with Chief and Council as the board of directors.  The Chief of LPFN holds the shares in Trust for and on behalf of the members of the LPFN from time to time. ADC is responsible for the economic and business development aspects of the community. ADC has a comprehensive long term plan (Vision 2020) which incorporates existing and planned projects and ventures designed to enhance the well being of community members.  ADC oversees the operation of a number of business ventures on reserve which operated for the benefit of the community.