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Pikangikum First Nation is a remote settlement of approximately
1720 people located in the Sioux Lookout District of northwestern
Ontario. It is situated on the eastern shores of Pikangikum
Lake at the Berens River. 10o kilometres north of the town of
Red Lake. The community has a land base of 1,808 ha.
The community of Pikangikum is among the most populated among
First Nation Communities in the Sioux Lookout District, with
86% of the population being 39 years of age or younger. The
population trend continues to grow at over 3% annually. The
birth rate per capita is the highest in the Sioux Lookout
Zone. Current statistics indicate the over one-third of Pikangikum
is under 9 years of age.
The large population has had a significant impact on infrastructure,
programs and services available at the community level. The
local, constructed 13 years ago, suffers a severe shortage
of classroom space. Community based programs are under-resourced,
thus compromising the community's ability to provide programming
that will meet their needs. As a result, the community often
faces health, social and crime-related crises, such as medical
emergencies, suicides, alcohol/drug/solvent abuse incidents,
and a higher crime rate.
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