Following the recent data publication from the 2016 census, Long Plain First Nation saw a dramatic increase in population. The community grew to 1232 from 1078. That's an increase of 154. Chief Dennis Meeches explains the figures.

"We've actually been considered one of the fastest growing first nations in the province of Manitoba," says Meeches. "That's probably due to a number of factors. First of all, if people understand INAC (Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) membership policies, for example, if a Long Plain citizen marries someone out from another first nation, nine times out of ten they will transfer to Long Plain."

Meeches says several people have also transferred into the community to be close to their relatives who live there, and this has continued over the last 15 to 20 years.