Sheguiandah, which refers to both the village and Sheguiandah First Nation (part of the Great Spirit Circle Trail), is a community whose story reaches deep into the past. A prehistoric quarry has yielded stone tools, spears and arrowheads dating back over 9000 years. An Indian reserve was established in 1866 and European settlers began to arrive in the 1870s. Within 20 years, Sheguiandah had become a prosperous village, with busy industries: a sawmill, box and barrel works, sash and door factory, flour mill, cheese factory and the Island’s only woollen mill.
Sheguiandah Bay, leading out toward Strawberry Island and the other islands of Georgian Bay, is one of the best Manitoulin fishing places. The public dock has day spaces for small boats, a loading ramp, a swimming beach, picnic tables and ramped washrooms.
Bass Lake, on the community’s western side, is justly noted for its muskellunge fishery.