Business and Tourism

Experience Hiawatha First Nation

 

Hiawatha First Nation is a popular destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts, bargain hunters, and fishermen, among many others. Community Citizens take pride in the natural beauty of their land, and encourage visitors to come take in the views and scenery of the Rice Lake area. We invite you to visit our land and learn about a different way of life.

 

Hiawatha First Nation offers a one stop shopping experience where you can fill up on discounted gas at The Old Railroad Stop and head into the gift shop to find one of a kind items. Grab a bite to eat at the restaurant located right on the shore of Rice Lake, or even take your ice cream to the beach and grab a spot on the sand.  Also, don’t forget to check out Hiawatha First Nation art and hand made crafts.

 

If you plan on staying the night, discover Hiawatha’s tent & trailer park. Visitors will be treated to beautiful views of the lake and friendly service from park staff. Featuring a large number of full serviced sites with electricity and water, a sandy beach, showers, washrooms, and a picnic shelter area all for our guest’s enjoyment!

 

Here’s some of the businesses and tourist attractions that Hiawatha First Nation has to offer:

 

 

The Old Railroad Stop

 

Our Flagship Business

 

The Old Railroad Stop is a multifaceted business designed to accommodate all of your needs. Located on the North Shore of Rice Lake you can sit and enjoy an ice cream while taking in the beautiful views from the beach or restaurant. The gas bar, convenience store and gift shop are fully stocked to cater to all your needs whether you are just passing through or staying for a while.

 

You will be able to get all you need at the convenience store including cigarettes, lottery tickets and perishables. There is also an ATM located in the store for your convenience and the friendly gas attendants will be happy to help you fill your vehicles tank, wash your windows and help you on your way. Come and visit us at the Old Railroad Stop this year.

 

The Old Railroad Stop is your one-stop shop for: Gas, Lottery, Gift Shop, ATM

 

 

Join The Old Railroad Stop Rewards program and register your card to start earning on:

 

▪ Gas

▪ Convenience store items

▪ Gift Shop purchases

 

EXCLUSIVE REWARDS MEMBER PROMOTIONS AND OFFERS!

 

As an Old Railroad Stop Rewards Member you will also receive exclusive offers if you register your card and become an email subscriber.

 

Regular Hours

 

The hours of operation are currently 7:00 am – 11:00 am daily.

 

The regular hours of operation effective Monday, January 18th are:

 

Monday 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Tuesday 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Wednesday 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Thursday 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Friday 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Saturday 7:00 am – 11:00 am

Sunday 7:00 am – 11:00 am

 

Contact Information

 

JD Monette

Old Railroad Stop Manager

Phone: 705-295-7148

Email: orrsmanager@hiawathafn.ca

 

 

Pow Wow

 

Come celebrate our culture with us on the Saturday and Sunday of the Victoria Day weekend at our Annual Traditional Pow Wow.  This event takes place at the Lakeview Ceremonial Grounds located at 126 Paudash Street. Grand Entry is at noon each day.  Enjoy browsing at the many craft vendors and tasting the delicious traditional cuisine at some of the food vendors. Be delighted by the traditional dancing, singing and drumming. Join in the intertribal dances. Embrace this celebration! Admission fees are as follows: ages 0-6 are  free, ages 7 – 12  are $3, ages 13 – 59 are $6, and 60 years and over are free.  Gates open at 11am.  See you there!!

 

 

 

Serpent Mounds Park

 

National Historic Site of Canada

 

Serpent Mounds Park is owned by Hiawatha First Nation and located approximately 10 minutes east of the community of Hiawatha on the north shore of Rice Lake. Serpent Mounds Park is a very special place, and for many years was leased to the government and operated as a Provincial Park. In 1995 Hiawatha did not renew their leasing agreement with the Province and began to privately operate the park, which featured over 152 campsites, cottage rental, eco-cabin rentals, canoe and kayak rentals, day-use areas, 3 sandy beaches, picnic shelter area and boat launches. It also operated a Cultural Centre which promoted the natural beauty and history of the Park, and provided tours of the scared Serpent Mound site.

 

Unfortunately in 2009, due to the decline in the tourism market and failing infrastructure, the Park was forced to close to the public as it could no longer keep pace with the changing needs of consumers.

 

Serpent Mounds Park is also home to the sacred Serpent Mounds, an Aboriginal historic site with evidence of occupation and use spanning more than 2000 years. It is here that Archeologists discovered evidence that ancient Native people gathered in large settlements around the lake to camp, hunt, fish, collect freshwater mussels and harvest the abundant wild rice cops which once occupied Rice Lake. Evidence found throughout the site, identified occupation dating back to 58 B.C., and the assemblage of artifacts provides extensive information on the habitation, rituals and culture of this ancient site and represents the most complete picture of Point Peninsula life. The site clearly illustrates the long-term cultural processes and represents cultural records of early habitation closely integrated with the natural environment.

 

It is also here, on a high point of land overlooking Rice Lake that the nine earthen burial mounds which enclose the graves of the Point Peninsula Native people can be found. The largest mound, shaped like a serpent, is approximately 60 meters long and 8 meters wide, and the only one of its kind in Canada. It is from this mound that the site and Park derives its name. Surrounding the serpentine mound are eight oval or round mounds, often described as the “serpent’s eggs”. Aboriginal people who lived in nearby settlements built these mounds to bury their dead and revere their ancestors. This sacred place continues to hold deep cultural, historical and spiritual meaning to the Mississaugii people of this area and to First Nation people across North America.

 

It is for these reasons, on June 14, 2002, the Serpent Mounds were officially designed a National Historic Site of Canada by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

 

Today, the Park remains closed as the community investigates new opportunities and potential partnerships to revitalize the Park, so it can once again become a popular tourism destination property.

 

Hiawatha First Nation remain the proud stewards and caretakers of the sacred mound site, so it can be protected and continue to be shared with all of mankind for generations to come.