Historically, the four communities of Garden, St. Theresa Point, Red Sucker Lake and Wasagamack were known as the Island Lake Band.  Throughout the early 1900's, the people began to settle more permanently in the areas where the communities are now situated and were accorded with individual band status by the Department of Indian Affairs


In the 1970s, when the First Nations were in the process of establishing tribal councils, the Island Lake First Nations were also beginning to explore this possibility.  The Island Lake communities recognized the potential for regional development in such areas as social and economic development, and also realized that the individual First Nations priorities for development could be strengthened by the collective.  As a result of these discussions, the Island Lake Tribal Council Inc. was established in 1982 as a regional initiative.


The constitution of the Island Lake Tribal Council Inc. states the purpose of the Tribal Council which is "to generally unify, maintain and expand the interests, lives and identity of the First Nation members in every manner and respect whatsoever."


Since 1982 the role of the Tribal Council has evolved from an administrative and program delivery organization that provides advisory and support services.


The future goal of the Tribal Council is to continue to provide professional advisory and support services to the First Nations of Island Lake so our mutual goals for self-government is achieved.