Traditional activities are the baseline occupation for the residents of the community of Garson Lake, a tiny outpost of about thirty-five people just 40 kilometres "as the crow flies" southwest of La Loche. Garson Lake is imbued with northern aboriginal culture and had the protection of being remote and difficult to access, until a road to nearby La Loche was recently completed. The road to Garson Lake has provided access to many hitherto unavailable or difficult to acquire services for the residents and despite the other changes that it possibly brings it has given the community freedom from previous geographical restrictions.

Garson Lake now lies at the halfway point between La Loche and Fort McMurray Alberta, a larger community with immense resources based on the oil sands extraction industry, what impact this will have on this little settlement is yet to be seen. The lake that gives the community its name provides fish and fresh water for the residents and the prospect for other developments now seems quite a bit brighter with road access to the rest of the north.

There is a flavour of family and closeness to a boreal forest community like Garson Lake. The resources of the lake for which the community is named and the abundant local wildlife has been the mainstay of this "families" livelihood for some generations.

The people of Garson Lake live close to their land and appreciate the fact that nature has provided almost all their needs and that reality must be acknowledged, revered and respected.

Garson Lake Links

Northern Affairs

Saskatchewan Map

Metis - Newreed