Kitigan Zibi

History

The history of the reserve is closely linked to that of the Town of Maniwaki, which developed concurrently. In the first half of the 19th century, Algonquins of the mission at Lake of Two Mountains, under the leadership of Chief Pakinawatik, came to the area of the Désert River. Shortly after, in 1832, the Hudson's Bay Company followed them and installed a trading post at the mouth of this river (now within the municipal boundaries of Maniwaki). A decade later, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate established the mission of Notre-Dame-du-Desert and, from 1849, they demanded of the authorities the demarcation of a township in order to establish a reserve for the Algonquins. Chief Pakinawatik, along with other leaders, journeyed by canoe on three occasions to Upper Canada (Toronto) and negotiated the terms for the setting aside of the reserve land. The township limits were drawn in 1850 and given the name of Maniwaki by the Oblates at this time. Legally established in 1851, the reserve was demarcated in 1853. In the decree implementing it, the reserve was called "Manawaki" (after mani aki meaning "Mary's Land") and also "River Desert". The name "Kitigan Zibi" came to replace the other two on September 24, 1994, when the band council gave this title to the reserve. The same community filed in December 2016 a claim in Ontario Superior Court, claiming it never surrendered and still owns the land in Ottawa on which Parliament of Canada stands.

Geography

The reserve is bounded by the Eagle River along its west side, by the Désert River on the north side, and the Gatineau River on the east side. Most of its development is along or near Highway 105, while forest still covers much of the reserve. It is also home to 13 fresh water lakes with areas in excess of and approximately 29 smaller lakes and streams located throughout the territory. Fish species found within these waters include walleye, pike, bass, trout, carp, catfish, and fresh water sturgeon. Mammals found within the reserve include beaver, muskrat, fisher, marten, mink, otter, bobcat, lynx, cougar, deer, black bear, wolf, and moose.

Most-observed species

• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  406
• Black-capped Chickadee

  Poecile atricapillus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  401
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  297
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  237
• American Goldfinch

  Spinus tristis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  220
• Song Sparrow

  Melospiza melodia (A.Wilson, 1810) · Aves
  211
• Red-breasted Nuthatch

  Sitta canadensis Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  194
• Common Grackle

  Quiscalus quiscula (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  173

Most recent

• M 4 — 2026-04-14
  21 km NNE of Shawville, Canada
• M 2.9 — 2025-09-22
  22 km NW of Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, Canada
• M 3.7 — 2025-03-19
  17 km W of Rivière-Rouge, Canada
• M 3.7 — 2024-12-29
  61 km NNW of Saint-Boniface, Canada
• M 3.3 — 2024-04-07
  72 km NNW of Saint-Boniface, Canada
• M 3.2 — 2023-12-30
  13 km WSW of Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, Canada