Although one population centre, it is politically divided into 4 entities: In 1795, James Tate established a Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) fur-trade post on the southern end of Cross Lake, first called "X" Lake and then Apsley House in 1796.

HBC divested this department in 1987 to The North West Company, which still operates a Northern Store at Cross Lake.

[5][7] In March 2016, First Nation officials in Cross Lake declared a state of emergency because of an epidemic of suicides.

There had been "six suicides in the last two months and 140 attempts in the last two weeks alone", and band councilor Donnie McKay said the community "is traumatized and needs immediate help from the provincial and federal governments".

From the Minago a portage trail leads to Moose Lake and the Saskatchewan River.