Municipality of Sioux Lookout

CULTURAL

Cultural facilities include the Sioux Lookout Museum, the Sioux Lookout Public Library, the Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre, an art gallery, Sioux Hudson Entertainment Series, and many clubs and services.

Sioux Lookout's Annual Blueberry Festival has been in existence since 1983. It is a 10-day festival celebrating the Municipality and is open to everyone. With over 100 events, the Blueberry Festival has become a summer celebration attracting thousands of visitors from around the region and around the world. Starting on the Friday before the August long weekend and lasting for ten fun-filled days, residents and visitors come together and form a bond of great communal spirit. Many of the events encompass the beauty of the area, allowing participants and spectators to enjoy the many lakes and beaches. From the very young to the young at heart there is truly something for everyone at the Blueberry Festival.

The Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee (SLARC) is a community-based volunteer group of concerned citizens. The group was formed in 1988 in an attempt to ensure that all residents in the community would have the opportunity to learn, work and live together while respecting and celebrating differences creating a just community. The Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee's mandate is to identify and eliminate discrimination that may prevent any person of the community from reaching their full potential and to encourage, develop and support initiatives, programs and activities that promote respect, understanding, acceptance and cooperation in the community. The Anti-Racism Committee provides a variety of programs and services to Sioux Lookout and the surrounding region. An extensive school program reaches all students; the "Voices For The Future" youth group involves young people in projects which promote social change; the Multi-Cultural Youth Centre holds events; the Resolve Advocacy Group provides mediation services to individuals and organizations in racial conflict; and community workshops and forums provide education on cross-cultural topics. Yearly highlights include Race Relations Month in March, the Blueberry Festival's Bannock Bake-Off and the Sioux Mountain Music and Cultural Festival.

The Sioux Lookout Museum was created to collect, preserve, research, exhibit and interpret objects that serve to illustrate the founding, settlement, and development of Sioux Lookout, Hudson and area. The collection chronicles the arrival of the First Native Americans in the region up to the present day with special emphasis on the arrival of the CN Railway (1910) until the end of World War II (1945).

The museum was founded in 1977 when a temporary exhibit was built to see if there was enough interest to justify such a venture. Displays were set up in the Moose Hall and in the Sarah Vaughn Public Library where over a thousand people came to view them. It was decided that a permanent museum was necessary. Two portable classrooms donated by the Dryden Board of Education were moved to 15 Wellington Street where many volunteers helped with the construction and set-up of the museum. On July 17, 1981, the museum was officially open. Over the years, the museum has grown and now holds character as well as the history of Sioux Lookout. The museum is open daily during the summer months. Contact the Community Services Department at 807-737-1994 for further information.

The Travel Information Centre is located on Highway 72 at the entrance to urban Sioux Lookout in a picturesque setting overlooking Pelican Lake. This modern facility was included in the first phase of a waterfront development project.

The Centre is operated by the Chamber of Commerce and provides information on the Municipality's history, attractions and events in the area, as well as maps and directions to assist the traveling public. Brochures are available with information on the excellent fishing, hunting and tourist opportunities in the Sioux Lookout area. The Travel Centre is the focal point of many activities in the community including some of the annual Blueberry Festival activities.

The Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce is an active group of business and professional people contributing to the economic, social and cultural development of Sioux Lookout and Area. The Chamber promotes ethics and integrity in business. Members of the Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce represent a growing and diverse network of expertise.

The Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce brings together businesses, organizations and individuals for the purpose of improving our community and making Sioux Lookout a vibrant, progressive community in which to live and work.

The Chamber hosts numerous annual events including the Business Excellence Awards; the Trade, Craft and Home Show; the Chamber Auction and Moonlight Madness, just to name a few.

You can contact the Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce by calling 737-1937.

The present Sioux Lookout Public Library is a brick building approximately 630 square metres in size, located at 21 Fifth Avenue. It was officially opened on October 16, 1989.

The Library is a full service organization open seven days a week during the winter and Monday through Friday during the months of July and August. Membership is free to permanent residents of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and temporary memberships are available at a cost. Books, audiocassettes, videos, dvd's and books on CD, are some of the materials available for loan and the automated catalogue and helpful staff will assist the public in locating items of interest. Special programming for children and adults is offered throughout the year. Services such as photocopying, sending/receiving of faxes and interlibrary loans are also provided.

Internet access is available to the public in the Community Internet Access Centre located at the Library, along with the use of a scanner, printer and digital camera.

You can contact the Sioux Lookout Public Library by calling (807) 737-3660.

Sioux Hudson Entertainment Series

The Sioux Hudson Entertainment Series is a committee made up of ten members. The Committee, working a year in advance, brings family oriented concerts to Sioux Lookout from all across Canada. Some examples are the Toronto Dance Theatre, the National Tap Dance group and plays performed by companies such as the Manitoba Theatre Centre, Magnus Theatre and the Shaw Festival. Musical groups such as the Thunder Bay Symphony have also performed here. These concerts are coordinated with other Northwestern Ontario communities and are very well attended by the residents of Sioux Lookout.

The Kid's Kaleidoscope program, offering entertainment targeted toward children's groups, is also available in the community.

Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre

The Friendship Centre is a drop-in centre that provides a number of social activities, youth services and houses the Aboriginal Family Support Program.

Clubs and Organizations

There are a wide variety of service clubs and organizations in Sioux Lookout which include the Lions, Rotary, Shriner's and Masons, Pelican Rebekah Lodge, Beta Sigma Phi, Sparks, Girl Guides, Brownies, Pathfinders, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

Many of the lodges have buildings available for meetings, dinners, etc. There is a large and active branch of the Royal Canadian Legion with full facilities. Their Ladies Auxiliary supports many community activities.

There are entertainment groups, sports clubs, a block parents association, two senior citizens centres, adult and youth choirs, square dancing club, parent-teacher associations, bridge clubs, genealogical society, historical society, hospital auxiliary, horticultural society, literacy council, tourism association, TOPS, Weight Watchers and much, much more.

Also available in the Municipality is Crime Stoppers and the Sioux Lookout-Hudson Community Policing Committee with offices in Sioux Lookout and Hudson. This committee develops local solutions to local policing matters.

Sioux Area Seniors Activity Centre

On November 11, 1983, the official opening of SASAC (Sioux Area Seniors Activity Centre) was held with 100 paid members. Within a year, membership rose to 268 people. At first, meetings were held in centrally located rented premises. The present building at 66D Front Street was purchased by sales of shares, and renovated through Provincial grants. The Centre helps to prevent social isolation of the elderly and provides a meeting place to maintain old friendships and make new ones. Other objectives are to take collective action on matters of concern to the members, supply information and encourage continued participation in community affairs.

Anyone 55 and over is welcome to become a member for a nominal annual fee of $10.00. The Centre is open 10 - 4, Monday through Saturday, and is operated each day by volunteers. Members meet the first Wednesday of each month to attend to the regular business of the group. A variety of activities are available such as table shuffleboard, exercise classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, darts on Thursday morning, cribbage Monday afternoon, and cards on Friday night, which includes bridge, 500 and cribbage. Potluck suppers are held the last Sunday of the month. Local crafts made by seniors are available for sale to the public, as well as used books.

Health clinics are also held, fund-raising teas and bake sales are organized, bus tours to various cities for concerts are arranged and many other worthwhile projects are undertaken. The Centre helps to improve the quality of life for its members through social activities and companionship.

Lost Lake Drop-In Centre

The Lost Lake Drop-In Centre in Hudson officially opened June 11, 1993. There are approximately 40 members and a lower age limit to accommodate more people in order to increase the activity in the Centre and have more community involvement (all volunteer labour). The Centre is open for coffee Monday - Friday, 9 am - 4 pm. Every Wednesday the Centre offers a soup and sandwich luncheon that is open to the public.

The Centre's main activities are monthly meetings, potluck suppers, receptions for various groups and fund raising events. The building accommodates other services such as community policing, literacy and employment services.

CHURCHES

The Municipality of Sioux Lookout has many church communities available for religious worship and fellowship:

Believer's Fellowship

(Mennonite)
36 Fourth Avenue
Phone 737-2755
Fax 737-7388

Services are held Wednesday at 7:00 pm for Bible Study
Sunday at 11:00 am for morning worship
6:00 pm for evening worship.

Calvary Baptist Church

34 Prince Street 737-3293

Hudson Community Church

(Mennonite/Protestant)
Second Street

Services are held Sunday at 10:00 am

New Life Assembly

(Penticostal)
28 First Avenue
Phone 737-2843
Fax 737-4281

Services are held Sunday at 10:00 am and 6:00 pm
Adult Bible study is Wednesday at 7:00 pm
There are groups for women, men, youth, children and single moms, as well as a bus ministry.

Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church

118 King Street
Phone 737-3760
Fax 737-4464

Mass is held Saturday evening at 5:15 pm
Sunday morning at 8:30 am and 10:00 am

St. Andrew's United Church

21 Sixth Avenue
Phone 737-3131

Sunday Worship is at 10:00 am, with Sunday school during the service.
St. Andrew's would like to invite you to worship with them and enjoy their music ministry. St. Andrew's supplies space for a playgroup on Tuesday's and Thursday's and Girl Guide groups.

St. Mary's Anglican Church

103 King Street
Phone 737-2790

The service of Holy Communion is held at 8:00 am and 10:00 am every Sunday;
The choir performs at 9:30 am Sundays.

Sioux Lookout also has several Church groups including the Anglican Church Women, the Catholic Women's League, the United Church Women, and in Hudson, the Catholic Women's League.

RECREATION

A wide variety of recreational activities are available to residents and visitors. Each season brings a wide array of pastimes to choose from. The community offers something for everyone, from cultural activities to sporting opportunities to recreational pursuits.

Sioux Lookout is blessed with many volunteers who spend hours planning and organizing local community clubs and associations. Some of the activities children and youth can choose from include Boy Scouts, Sparks, Brownies, Girl Guides, Pathfinders, Junior Rangers, Air Cadets, minor hockey, minor baseball, minor soccer, figure skating, gymnastics, junior curling, cross-country skiing, pre-school playgroup, volleyball camp and so many others.

For adults there is a women's softball league, mixed slo-pitch league, men's and women's soccer, beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, recreational basketball, men's and women's curling, mixed curling, cross-country skiing, tennis, bocce and golfing, as well as many other activities.

Sioux Lookout Fitness Centre

This multipurpose centre is located at 85 King Street. It includes an arena, gymnasium, weight room, walking/running track, meeting rooms, and racquetball and squash courts.

Arena: During the winter months, the Community Services Department offers regularly scheduled ice time for the figure skating club, minor hockey, girls hockey, Old Timer's league, commercial hockey league and other groups and businesses looking for ice time. As well, all of the local schools book time for recreational skating for their students throughout the season. Sioux Lookout hosts a number of tournaments and carnivals during the year, drawing people from all over the region. In the summer the arena is available for trade shows, socials, weddings, ball hockey and roller blade hockey programs.

Sioux Lookout has recently acquired the Sioux Lookout Flyers, a Junior A team affiliated with the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL). Several home games this season should prove to be a spectator's delight!

The Community Services Department is also responsible for two outdoor ice surfaces, one in urban Sioux Lookout on Fuller Street, and one in Hudson.

Gymnasium: The full-sized gym is available for drop-in use or rental. Sports equipment is available from the front desk. Scheduled activities include after-school sports, basketball, volleyball, badminton and tennis and an array of exercise classes. The gym is home to the Gymnastics Club and senior line dancers.

Weight Room: The weight room is top-notch, complete with a universal gym; peck deck, hack-squat machine and a large selection of free weights. Cardio equipment is located around the running track for use as well.

Running Track: No matter what the weather, the indoor track will suit your needs. Stationary bikes and steppers are situated at intervals along the track.

Courts: Book a court for a game of racquetball or squash. Courts are air-conditioned for your comfort. Equipment can be rented at the front desk.

Meeting Room: Located upstairs, the meeting room can be rented by calling ahead of time. Audio-Visual equipment, flip charts, blackboards and conference supplies are available. Kitchen facilities, phone service and message taking are included with your rental service.

Recreation Programs

A wide variety of seasonal programs for all ages are offered through the Community Services Department. Special events and fun days are highlighted throughout the year. Following is a list of some of the many activities co-ordinated by the department: Minor soccer, minor baseball, fitness classes, karate, hockey development camp, jazz, ballet, tap dancing, mixed slo-pitch, ball hockey, Irish dancing, pre-school programs, youth badminton, youth volleyball camp, tennis lessons, squash tournaments, after-school programs, winter-break programs, swimming lessons, Cedar Bay day camp, Summer Explorer's day program and a Junior Leadership program. Located on Third Avenue (across from the Ojibway Golf and Curling Club) is the Outdoor Sports Complex. This facility includes baseball diamonds, tennis courts, bocce courts, horseshoe pitches, a skateboard park, a children's sandbox and a concession stand with a shelter.

Cedar Bay Recreational Facility

Take a walk out to Cedar Bay and enjoy the beautiful view and relaxing setting. Sensational during all seasons of the year, Cedar Bay offers a chalet, a lodge with electricity and three additional cabins complete with bunk beds. A craft cabin is used by the summer day-campers and near the lake is a beach house suitable for storing beach supplies and getting changed. The Nordic Nomads have a cabin open during the winter months for cross country skiers to use as a rest spot. A large playing field and a number of trails make this facility an inviting, rustic camp setting for all to enjoy. Rentals are available year-round.

Adult Soccer

The growing love of soccer in Sioux Lookout can best be witnessed in the two adult soccer teams competing in the Dryden Soccer League. The Sioux Legionnaires is a men's team that has been around for a while. The Sioux Strikers is a new team in the women's league, and after only two years they amassed a playoff championship and a league championship The two teams often work together to help each other out. Men can contact Laurie Jefferson at 737-3766 and women can contact J.L. Pierce at 737-1123 for more information.

Hudson Facilities

The Hudson Community Hall is centrally located in downtown Hudson. It is a multi-purpose hall ideal for family reunions, dances and community events. The hall comes complete with a full kitchen and tables and chairs. A number of activities are offered at the hall throughout the year.

In the summertime, Hudson residents enjoy Boat Bay, a community recreational facility located just minutes from downtown on the shores of Lost Lake. The boat launch serves as an entranceway to Lac Seul. The well-maintained area has a picnic shelter, a beautiful beach, boat launch and washroom facilities are available. Also located in Hudson are a ball diamond and an outdoor skating rink.

Sioux Lookout Golf and Curling Club

The Club is a non-profit community organization that operates and maintains both a nine-hole golf course with grass greens, and a curling rink with four sheets of ice. The Golf and Curling Club offers one of the most scenic and challenging nine-hole golf courses in the region.

Ojibway Provincial Park

The Sioux Lookout & Hudson Association for Community Living now operates Ojibway Provincial Park in partnership with Ontario Parks. It is located approximately 30 km south of the urban core of Sioux Lookout, at the Municipal boundary, on Little Vermilion Lake. The park covers 2,630 hectares of land and water. Facilities provided at Ojibway Park include 50 campsites, 50 day-use parking spaces, a large picnic shelter, barbeques and a beach area, two boat launches, 11 kilometres of nature trails, group camping areas and groomed cross-country ski trails. It is easily accessible from Highway 72 and is approximately a 20-minute drive from downtown Sioux Lookout. Many local residents and tourists visiting the area utilize the park.

Umfreville Walking Trail

The Umphreville Trail is named after the famous explorer Edward Umphreville, who engaged the First Nations people to lead him through the "third" water route to the west from Lake Superior in 1784. They travelled on the local chain of lakes from English River Falls on Minnitaki Lake to Abram Lake and Pelican Lake en route to Lac Seul and Lake Winnipeg. The trail is developed on the land between Abram and Pelican Lakes offering glimpses of the water that the explorer travelled on. This trail links the past six millennium to the future by commemorating historical events during that time on interpretive plaques.

This first phase of the Umphreville Trail begins at the Sioux Lookout Tourist Information Centre and winds its way to Frog Rapids Bridge located north of Umphreville Park. At the park is a national historic site commemorating Edward Umphreville's documentation of a third canoe route from Lake Superior to the west in 1784. The trail ends at Frog Rapids Bridge, the point at which both lakes can be viewed. Interpretive historical signage shares the memory of the legend of Sioux Mountain, our cultural beginnings, the original portage and archaeological sites that span the 8,000 years of human occupation in the Sioux Lookout area.

Crown Land Recreation

Outdoor recreational activity, particularly winter sports such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling, often requires the use of Crown Land. The Ministry of Natural Resources has provided Land Use Permits to allow the use of these properties for recreational purposes.

Boating

The abundance of crystal-clear lakes including Pelican Lake, Abram Lake, Minnitaki Lake, Lac Seul, Lost Lake, Big and Little Vermilion Lakes, and so many others, allows access for boating. Several boat launches are located in the Municipality of Sioux Lookout as well as in Hudson.

Several local tourist operators will rent boating equipment for day trips and will often provide a local guide, upon request.

Beaches

The Municipality has several beautiful beaches in the area that are accessible to the public. The beaches include the Town Beach (urban Sioux Lookout), Second Sandy Beach (rural Sioux Lookout), Big Vermilion Beach and Boat Bay Beach (both in Hudson).

Snowmobile Club

The Ojibway Power Toboggan Association is an active snowmobile club providing social activities and 365 km of groomed trails, both locally and interconnecting with other communities. The clubhouse on Abram Lake Road is the base for activities and meetings.

The Club boasts some of the best snow conditions and trails in Ontario. Activities include evening and day trail rides, potluck suppers, socials, cross-country trips, wiener roasts and safety courses.

Blueberry Hill

Located at the west end of King Street, Blueberry Hill is the perfect sliding spot. All ages will enjoy this well-lit tobogganing hill during the winter months.

Cross Country Ski Club

The Nordic Nomads Ski Club maintains and grooms approximately forty kilometres of cross-country ski trails in the Sioux Lookout area. These trails are geared to all levels of skier ability. Skiers can get on the trails from several points throughout the network and they all converge on Cedar Bay Lodge, which is kept open by the ski club. The Nordic Nomads is a non-profit club dedicated to the promotion of cross-country skiing in the Sioux Lookout area. There are also several ski trails in Hudson.