First Nation Community Profiles

Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation (ACN) is located near Shell Lake, Saskatchewan, approximately 150 kilometres north of Saskatoon. ACN is committed to providing an exceptional quality of life for their members through the provision of health and education services. ACN “is a forward looking and progressive community that has a vision to build a strong and healthy foundation using the guiding principles of Chief Ahtahkakoop, ‘let us not think of ourselves, but of our children’s children.’” 

 Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation

Cowessess First Nation strives to enhance the quality of life for its members through self-sufficiency, the protection and enhancement of Treaty Rights and the provision of effective services.  The First Nation is comprised of mixed Cree and Saulteaux people that once were plains hunters and gatherers. Originally, the community assembled along the Canada and USA border, as well as around Fort Walsh. Later, they relocated to their present-day location in the beautiful Qu’Appelle Valley near Crooked and Round Lakes. 

 Cowessess First Nation

English River First Nation (ERFN) is comprised of nineteen different Reserves. Prior to signing Treaty 10, The Poplar House People resided at seven historical settlements, including: Cree Lake, Porter Island, Elak Dase, Knee Lake, Dipper Rapids, Wapachewunak, and La Plonge. The home reserves are located at Wapachewunak, near the Churchill River, and La Plonge, on the Beaver River. The river provides transportation and allows for fishing, hunting, and gathering. It also provides economic opportunities for outfitting and tourism.  English River First Nation is a Dene and Cree community. ERFN has a vibrant economy with many people owning businesses or being employed through the First Nation. 

 English River First Nation

"Fishing Lake First Nation is an independent First Nation of the Saulteaux branch of the Ojibwe nation. Originally from central Canada, the First Nation was pushed westward to avoid encroachment by European settlers. They first settled in Manitoba and were part of the Yellow Quill Saulteaux First Nation. In the late 1880’s, the First Nation separated into three reserves located near Nut Lake, Fishing Lake, and Kinistino, Saskatchewan. By 1907, Fishing Lake First Nation was officially recognized as a separate First Nation and had settled near Fishing Lake, Saskatchewan." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishing_Lake)

 Fishing Lake First Nation

Flying Dust First Nation (FDFN) is located on the northeast side of the City of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. The area is home to some of the most fertile farmland in northern Saskatchewan.  Flying Dust First Nation is one of nine First Nations that comprise the Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC).  Flying Dust First Nation people are descendants of the Algonquian linguistic group with Cree as their native language. Being located close to Meadow Lake provides a number of employment opportunities for members and also provides opportunities for economic investment.

 Flying Dust First Nation

Kahkewistahaw First Nation (KFN) is located 15 kilometres north of Broadview, Saskatchewan, along Highway 201 and in the beautiful Qu'Appelle Valley. Kahkewistahaw means “Eagle flying in a circle”.  The reserve originated from the signing of Treaty 4 on September 15, 1874, by Chief Kahkewistahaw. Present at the signing were Chief Kahkewistahaw, two headsmen, and approximately 63 band members. Kahkewistahaw was one of a handful of Nations who were not greatly influenced by the fur trade. The languages spoken on the reserve are Cree and Saulteaux. Kahkewistahaw Vision Statement: The strength of our children will carry us to a healthy and prosperous future.

 Kahkewistahaw First Nation

Located in north-central Saskatchewan, Lac La Ronge Indian Band is the largest First Nation in Saskatchewan, and one of the 10 largest in Canada. The reserve lands extend from rich farmlands in central Saskatchewan, all the way north through the boreal forest to the mighty Churchill River and beyond. The central administration office is located in La Ronge, 241 kilometres north of Prince Albert, on the edge of the Pre-Cambrian Shield. Lac La Ronge Indian Band is proud of their heritage and Cree language, and of the educational opportunities, economic successes and social development work made possible by many years of strong leadership.

 Lac La Ronge Indian Band

“Little Pine First Nation (LPFN) is home to the Plains Cree in Saskatchewan and is located at the foot of Bluehill and rests along the shores of the Battle River. Bluehill is a symbol of home for our people” (littlepine.ca). LPFN is focused on enhancing the quality of life for their members through the protection of Treaty. Through supporting and focusing on education, and particularly post-secondary education for their members, they will contribute to the betterment of the First Nation community, the province, and the global economy. Historically, Chief Little Pine was dedicated to improving the lives of his people, enhancing government relations, and creating a unified Cree territory in South-West Saskatchewan.

 Little Pine First Nation

“The Cree ancestors of the Mistawasis Band migrated to present-day Saskatchewan from the woodlands of eastern Manitoba and the Great Lakes area of Ontario in the 17th and 18th centuries. Mistawasis First Nation was named after the Band’s first chief, Chief Mistawasis, who was head chief of the Prairie Tribe and was known to other Tribes as Sak-kaw-wen-o-wak. Traditionally, the way of life was to follow and hunt buffalo, and depopulation of the herds required a survival change for the Tribe. With the signing of Treaty 6, Chief Mistawasis brought about a new way of life for the future of his people” (mistawasis.ca).

 Mistawasis First Nation

In 1881, when the reserve was first surveyed, the First Nation was located near Battleford. “In 1903, the Canadian Northern Railway main line was constructed through the reserve, which provided employment for band members and access to markets for their produce.” It also brought many local settlers. In 1909, the band was relocated to Cochin, SK, due to pressure from local settlers and politicians. The majority of band members now reside in North Battleford. Strategic plans are in place to maintain a healthy community environment that sustains the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health of the membership (moosomin.ca). 

 Moosomin First Nation

Muskeg Lake Cree Nation (MLCN) is a Plains Cree band that owns and manages a total of 35,123 acres in urban and rural lands. These lands are used for community living, agriculture, recreation, and business. Muskeg Lake’s affairs are managed by the Chief and Council and informed by Cree Law. Through business and corporations, the MLCN aims to become economically self-sufficient and to provide resources for community development that will enhance the well-being and lives of their members. As a community, people of MLCN are proud of their Cree language, culture, and heritage. During the year they have many events, as well as a cultural camp, to celebrate their culture and roots. Veterans from MLCN have played a significant role in how the community has developed and are honoured for their ongoing service and contributions.

 Muskeg Lake Cree Nation

Muskoday First Nation, originally known as John Smith Reserve, is composed of Cree and Saulteaux people that settled along the South Saskatchewan River in the 1870s. “Muskoday First Nation has a profound relationship with the land that is rooted in respect for the spiritual value of the earth and the gifts of the Creator and has a deep desire to preserve its relationship with the land and maintain the integrity and success of our Nation.” (muskodayfn.ca) 

 Muskoday First Nation

One Arrow First Nation is a vibrant Cree community of approximately 850 on-reserve residents, located near Batoche, SK. The community is anchored in its rich past and progressive in the areas of employment strategies, youth involvement, land management, and economic development. With proximity to major cities, there are dynamic partnership opportunities that support innovation and growth within the First Nation. One Arrow First Nation is a member of Treaty 6 and signed a formal amendment in 1878.

 One Arrow First Nation

Onion Lake Cree Nation is located 50 km North of Lloydminster, Canada, and is approximately 58,737 hectares. It is the only reserve to straddle the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, making it Canada’s only border Cree Nation. Onion Lake is of the Treaty Six Territory which was signed by Chief Sakaskohc at Fort Pitt in 1876. It was only in 1914 when Makaoo and Sakaskohc amalgamated to be one band. There are both band-owned and privately owned businesses on reserve, providing the community with essential services and employing both residents and non-residents.

 Onion Lake Cree Nation

Pelican Lake First Nation (PLFN) is located on Chitek Lake, Saskatchewan, approximately 274 km northwest of Saskatoon. PLFN is a member of Treaty 6 and became a signatory in 1889. Pelican Lake First Nation has long term vision of healthy individuals, families, and community. Achieving self-sufficiency and self-reliance through increased employment is an important component of this long-term vision.

 Pelican Lake First Nation

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) has occupied lands in Northeast Saskatchewan since time immemorial. Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation is called Assin'skowitiniwak, which means "people of the rocky area". Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation consists of 8 communities, including Denare Beach, Deschaumbault Lake, Kinoosao, Pelican Narrows, Prince Albert, Sandy Bay, Southend, and Sturgeon Landing, and is spread over 51,000 square kilometers. Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation follows the traditional lifestyle of the Woodland Cree, which led to the establishment of several communities along major economic routes including various waterways. The majority of PBCN members live in the traditional territory of the 8 communities, but there are also many members living in urban centres such as Prince Albert and Saskatoon. 

 Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation

Historically, Red Pheasant Cree Nation people hunted and fished along the Battle River. As settlers moved into the Battleford region, they began conducting trade. In 1878, the Band settled on their reserve in the Eagle Hills, where the land was good for agriculture and there was enough forest to enable them to hunt. In recent years, Red Pheasant Cree Nation began investing in strategic land purchases with settlement funds from their Treaty Land Entitlement Agreements and partnering with resource companies such as Wascana Energy. 

 Red Pheasant Cree Nation

Saulteaux First Nation is part of the larger Ojibwa or Chippewa tribe residing in the Northern United States. The word ‘Saulteaux’ is a French translation for ‘people of the rapids’ and relates to their original settlement location near a waterway. Originally, Saulteaux First Nation people settled around the Northern Great Lakes region in Ontario. The soil conditions and short growing season was not conducive to farming, and as a result, the Saulteaux people elected for a hunting and trading lifestyle with European settlers in the area. Due to expansion of the fur trade, a portion of the Saulteaux tribe traveled west and settled in Saskatchewan. They remained on the edges of the parkland and ventured into the prairies only to hunt buffalo.

 Saulteaux First Nation

Thunderchild First Nation, also known as piyesiw-awasis, is an independent Cree First Nation band government near Turtleford, Saskatchewan, with no affiliation with any Tribal Council, and is located approximately 113 kilometres northwest of North Battleford. The reserve was moved from its original location near Delmas, Saskatchewan, in 1909 to where it now currently resides near Turtleford, Saskatchewan.  Approximately one third of the membership lives on the home reserve. 

 Thunderchild First Nation

“Whitecap Dakota First Nation (WDFN) is a modern and progressive First Nation with a proud culture and a strong sense of community. Whitecap’s members have mandated their leadership to implement a nation-building vision geared toward Strengthening Community and Building Opportunity. With a long history of establishing partnerships, WDFN continues a Spirit of Alliance, working with its neighbours and governments in support of its nation-building agenda” (whitecapdakota.com). In May 2023, Whitecap Dakota First Nation Council signed a self-government Treaty with Canada after a decade of negotiations and centuries of being unrecognized as Indigenous people of this country. The parties have committed to build on this new Treaty relationship founded in reconciliation of Whitecap Dakota’s rights in Canada. 

 Whitecap Dakota First Nation

Yellow Quill First Nation (YQFN) is a Saulteaux First Nation with strategic rural and urban land holdings. “Yellow Quill Holdings strives to become a top 10 First Nation economic development corporation that reflects their culture, language and history and is accountable to our community.” (yqfn.ca) Yellow Quill Holdings Inc. oversees the various economic development initiatives on behalf of Yellow Quill First Nation, and lands purchased by Yellow Quill Treaty Land Entitlement. As their property and development portfolio continues to expand, jobs and services to accommodate growth will be available to community members. 

 Yellow Quill First Nation