Discover SLKT
Living in Sioux Lookout and Hudson
Nestled in the heart of northwestern Ontario, town of Sioux Lookout is a vibrant, close-knit community surrounded by lakes, forests, and the rugged Canadian Shield. It offers the perfect blend of modern amenities and small-town charm, making it an ideal place to live.
Just 20 minutes away, Hudson sits on Lost Lake, a gateway to Lac Seul. Known for its rich history and natural beauty, Hudson features scenic trails, beaches, and community amenities, all within walking distance.
Community and Connectivity
Sioux Lookout is the "Hub of the North," connecting 29 remote communities to healthcare, social services, and transportation through its busy airport, VIA Rail stop, and reliable roadways.
Hudson continues its legacy as a transportation hub while offering world-class attractions such as fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling trails that attract visitors year-round.
Lifestyle, Heritage, and Tourism
Town of Sioux Lookout and Hudson provide safe, family-friendly environments with excellent healthcare, schools, and recreational opportunities. Tourists love the region’s outdoor adventures, from fishing and hunting to snowmobiling and exploring scenic trails.
Both communities celebrate their history and embrace the beauty of northern Ontario, fostering connections that truly make Sioux Lookout the "Hub of the North."
Town of Sioux Lookout
The rich history of life here began over 5,000 years ago when this land was Ojibway territory. Our name Sioux Lookout comes from this area's use as a strategic vantage point where guards could see far away canoes approaching on the English River system and is rooted in the legend of a battle between the Ojibway and Sioux First Nations.
Originally the Sioux lived in the Western Plains while the Ojibway lived near Lake Superior, with what is now Sioux Lookout in between the two. The Legend of Sioux Lookout tells the story of a battle between the Sioux and Ojibway. After enduring years of surprise attacks by the Sioux who were visiting to trade, the Ojibway fought back by ambushing the Sioux at a high peak of land on what is now Pelican Lake. The Legend of Sioux Lookout was written by Nan Shipley in 1987.
The Town of Sioux Lookout was incorporated in 1912 when it was connected to the rest of Ontario via the railway. It went from being a railway terminal point in the early 1900s to a gold and iron mining town as well as a leading aviation centre. From the 1950s until 1987, our Pinetree Radar Base was a key employer. Since then, Sioux Lookout has become a hub of forestry, health care and social services and tourism in Ontario's north.
Hudson began as a railway town in 1910 when the local railway station opened. Commercial fishing started shortly after with boxcars of pickerel, whitefish, jackfish, sturgeon and lake trout shipped to market every other week through to the 1940s.
During the Red Lake gold rush of the 1920s, people used ferries, canoes and portaging to travel the local water system and access Red Lake. Remnants of the boats and scows of the gold rush can be found in Second Boat Bay. Our original name "Rolling Portage" comes from the freight portages that crossed this area between Lost Lake and Vermilion Lake. In the 1930s, a busy freighting airport made Hudson an important northern connector. By the 1940s freighting decreased and the economy started to focus on logging and saw mills.
Tracks beside the Water (Vol I - III) is now available at our Travel Info Centre.
Our People
The people of Sioux Lookout are a diverse, vibrant, and forward-thinking community. We celebrate innovation, embrace new technologies, and sustainably harness our rich natural resources. Committed to inclusivity and progress, we provide advanced healthcare and social services to ensure the well-being of all our residents.
Our strong connections with neighboring First Nations communities are a cornerstone of our identity. Together, we collaborate to strengthen our shared economy, preserve our cultural heritage, and continually enhance the quality of life for everyone in the region.
Our Infrastructure
Residential Growth
Healthcare and Medicine
Healthcare and Medicine
Town of Sioux Lookout continues to experience rapid population growth, among the highest in Northern Ontario. In response, new residential zones have been developed to accommodate the expanding community. Over the past decade, the town has undertaken significant infrastructure projects, including renovations to the train station and the construction of a new elementary school, high school, grocery store, youth center, courthouse, hospital, and clinic.
Healthcare and Medicine
Healthcare and Medicine
Healthcare and Medicine
The Sioux Lookout Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre, opened in late 2010, is a state-of-the-art 13,000 m² (140,000 sq. ft.) facility that centralizes a wide range of healthcare services. Serving Sioux Lookout and 29 northern communities, its catchment area is larger than France. The center uniquely integrates mainstream medical practices with traditional Indigenous care and has been recognized as Ontario’s Centre of Excellence for First Nations healthcare. The complex includes a hospital, long-term care facility, and community services, ensuring comprehensive care for the region.
Transportation
Healthcare and Medicine
Transportation
Since its opening in 1933, Sioux Lookout Airport has played a pivotal role in the region's connectivity. Once the second busiest airport in North America, it now serves as a mini-hub, linking northern communities across Northwestern Ontario. The airport hosts Ornge, Ontario’s air ambulance service, as well as airlines including Bearskin Airlines, SkyCare Air Ambulance, Slate Falls Airways, North Star Air, Bamaji Air Service, Perimeter Aviation, and Wasaya Airways.
