Historical Background
During the fur trade in the 18th
and 19th centuries, fur trading posts were established in various
regions of Canada to serve as home bases for the fur trading
companies. York Factory was established in 1671 as one of those trading posts.
Competition for the fur trade industry was fierce between the
French and the English and it led to the fort changing hands a
few times over the years. In the end, the English established
superiority and reclaimed the post at York Factory. The Hudson Bay Company
closed its doors at York Factory in 1957, leaving behind it much
history during its more than 250 plus years of trading in the area.
The closure of the Hudson Bay Store was the major reason cited in the relocation of the York Factory Cree to an area that in now known as York Landing. The community of York Landing did not receive reserve status until 1989.
York Landing Reserve
Location 73 air miles east of Thompson at Split Lake |
Population 400 On reserve 535 off reserve |
Reserve Size 2300 acres (3680 ha) |
Languages Spoken Cree and English |
| Adhesion to Treaty 5 - August 10,1910 | Treaty Land Entitlement |
Recreational Facility
A regulation size indoor hockey rink was
completed in August 1998 and officially opened in September 1998.
The arena, complete with a concession stand, provides recreation
year round as it can be used for indoor functions in the summer.
It has artificial ice and a zamboni.
Volunteer Services
| Local Fire Department | Search and Rescue | Crisis Response Team | First Responders |
Community Access
The community of York Landing is accessible by air on a year-round basis. It has a 2840 X 85 foot gravel airstrip with lights maintained by the Department of Northern Affairs.
Buildings on airport property consist of four equipment warehouses, fuel storage tanks, and gravel stock.
Perimeter Air Services provide scheduled air services, Calm Air and NACair provide air charter services from Thompson as required.
A winter road between Ilford, York Landing, and Split Lake provides vehicle transportation from mid-January to March that enables the community to have access to Highway 280 from the community of Split Lake.
Ferry service is provided by Northern Airports and Marine Operations, which operates the MV Joe Keeper. The ferry can accommodate up to 16 vehicles and operates between York Landing and Split Lake from June to October.
Cars, trucks, ATV's, bikes and snowmobiles are the main forms of transportation in the community. Motor boats are also used to get to the neighboring community of Split Lake for access Highway 280 to Thompson and Gillam.
Telephone Services
Manitoba Telephone System (MTS) provides telephone communication to the community with single-party lines. MTS also provides other special communication services if required. At present MTS offers only dial-up internet service to the community.
Communication/Media Services
York Landing has a local Satellite TV System that services the community. The system consists of 12 channels, one being a community channel. The Community Channel is used for local communication of events and other special services required by the community. The community recently created a local radio station, CHYL 93.5 FM with a broadcast range of approximately 10 to 15 miles. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) broadcasts from Winnipeg on local channel 10, via a microwave tower located 14 miles east of the community.
Postal Services
Canada Post offers postal services located at the local store. The postal outlet employs one person on a part-time basis five days a week. Mail delivery from Thompson is done by Skyward Aviation on contract with Canada Post.
Medical Services
Health & Welfare operates a Health Station
on reserve. The staff consists of two nurses, two CHR's, part-time
clerk, part-time housekeeper, part-time custodian and a security guard. All
other services are provided by First Nation & Inuit Health Services out of Winnipeg
or Thompson.
A visiting doctor (General Practitioner) visits the
community every two weeks and generally stays for two days. A
dentist comes in once a month and stays for one week at a time.
Pediatric services are provided every three months. Referral
services are standard for any small community such as York
Landing.
Band Infrastructure
Water Treatment Plant |
Lagoon |
Landfill Site |
2 Lift Stations |
3 Warehouses |
Ripple River Store & warehouse |
Fire Hall |
Equipment Yard |
Fuel Storage Area |
Piped Sewer & Water |
Elders Home |
Anglican Church |
Grave Yard |
Arena |
Motel Unit |
SDC Warehouse |
Traditional Food Distribution Centre |
Seepastik Development Corp. Offices |
Band Administration Offices |