Oxford House, Manitoba, known in Cree as ᐸᓂᑇᓂᐱᐩ or Bunibonibee/panipwânipiy, is a vibrant First Nations Cree community nestled in the northern region of Manitoba. This community is situated on the Oxford House 24 Indian reserve, along the eastern shore of Oxford Lake at the mouth of the Hayes River. This location is approximately 950 kilometres (590 mi) north of Winnipeg. The Hayes River, designated a Canadian Heritage River in 2006, adds to the natural beauty of the area. The Bunibonibee Cree Nation has reserved 13 separate tracts for themselves, with Oxford House 24 serving as their main reserve and home to the settlement of Oxford House.
Oxford House was established in 1798 as a Hudson's Bay Company fur trading post. It was a key point on the fur trade route between York Factory on the Hudson Bay and Norway House, located some 30 km (19 mi) north of Lake Winnipeg. The community of Oxford House formed as people from nearby areas moved to the trading site. The United Church played a significant role in the community's development, with ministers and their wives serving as the first nurses and teachers.
In 2016, N'we Jinan visited Oxford House and created two music videos with indigenous youth living there, "When the Dust Settles" and "BoiDee". These videos gained attention for their insight into the challenges facing youth living on remote reserves. The songs were included on the N'We Jinan album, Silent War, recorded in Vancouver in 2017.
As of 2011, the Oxford House 24 Indian reservation had a population of 1,864, living in 335 dwellings on a land area of 51.01 square km. The median age was 21.4, and Cree was selected as the mother tongue of 1,500 residents.
Oxford House boasts a variety of facilities including a high school, elementary school, a pre-school (Head Start), an arena, a Northern Store with a Tim Hortons, a nursing station, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment, the University College of the North Centre, an airport, a motel (Triple B), water treatment plant, band office, care home, medivac operation/emergency, youth building, a radio station, and a conservation office.
The Oxford House Fire Hall, a crucial part of the community's infrastructure, was built in 2015.
The George Colon Memorial Home, built in 1988, provides care for the community's elderly and infirm.
Built in 2015, the Outdoor Rinks are located on each end of the community and are open to everyone.
The Northern Store, which opened its new addition on October 29, 2012, features a grocery and retail section, a Tim Horton express, and a post office.
Super B's, the newest business in Oxford House, opened in January 2017. Owned and managed by local staff, Super B's is a convenience store with a kitchen that provides a partial menu.
The Oxford House UCN Centre, a hub for higher education in the community, opened its doors in 2015.
