The Nipissing First Nation consists of aboriginal people of Ojibwa and Algonquin descent who have lived in the area of Lake Nipissing in the Canadian province of Ontario for about 9,400 years.

Though in history known by many names, they are generally considered part of the Anishinaabe peoples, a grouping which includes the Odaawaa, Ojibwe and Algonquins.

This broad heritage is likely the result of the Nipissings living at a geographical crossroads formed by a watershed divide.