Ermineskin Cree Nation

Ermineskin Cree Nation /ˈɜːrmɪn.skɪn/ also known as the Ermineskin Tribe, is a Cree First Nations band government in Alberta, Canada. A signatory to Treaty 6, Ermineskin is one of the Four Nations of Maskwacis, Alberta's largest Indigenous community.[1]

Ermineskin Cree Nation
Band No. 443
PeopleCree
TreatyTreaty 6
HeadquartersMaskwacis
ProvinceAlberta
Land[1]
Main reserveErmineskin 138
Other reserve(s)
Land area122.169 km2
Population (2019)[1]
On reserve3290
On other land11
Off reserve1578
Total population4879
Government[1]
ChiefCraig Makinaw
Website
ermineskin.ca

As of 2019, there are 4,879 registered Ermineskin Cree, of which 3,290 were living on reserve.[1]

The Ermineskin Cree Nation's two reserves (around Maskwacis, Alberta) total about 22,512 hectares and lived in an area around Pigeon Lake and the Bear Hills (known in Cree as Maskwacheesihkare). Therefore, they were called Maskwa Wachi-is Ininiwak, Maskwacheesihk Wiyiniwak or Amiskwacīwiyiniwak, meaning Bear Hills Cree. While the Ermineskin traditional territory includes the reserve lands, the reserve was formally established in 1885. The land houses substantial oil and gas deposits, agricultural land, and waterfront access to Pigeon Lake. The Canadian Pacific Railway line runs through the reserve.

The First Nation took its name from Ermineskin Kosikosowayano also known as Baptiste Piche), Chief of the Bear Hills Cree. He was the son of Peechee (Pisu - "Mountain Lion", also known as Louis Piche), Chief of the Asini Wachi Nehiyawak (Cree groups of the Rocky/Mountain Cree) and later head chief of the Rocky Mountain Cree (Asini Wachi Wi Iniwak or Asinīskāwiyiniwak)[2] and also brother-in-law of Pitikwahanapiwiyin (′Poundmaker′), Chief of the River Cree (Sipi Wi Iniwak or Sīpīwininiwak). Ermineskin was the younger brother of the well-known Kiskiyo - Bobtail, also known as Alexis Piche), who became Chief of the Bear Hills Cree after the death of their father Louie Piche also known as Pisu) who was the chief of the Rocky Cree (Asini Wachi Wi Iniwak or Asinīskāwiyiniwak) and became later head chief of the Western Cree (‘Pakisimotan Wi Iniwak’) and soon after head chief of all the groups of the Upstream People (Natimiw Iyiniwak or Natimiyininiwak).

Indian Reserves

There are two Indian reserves under the governance of the band:[3]

Pigeon Lake IR No. 138A is shared with three other governments, the Samson First Nation, the Louis Bull First Nation and the Montana First Nation.

Notable members
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References
  1. "First Nation Detail". Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  2. build up Asini Wachi Nehiyawak (Rocky Cree groups) and Asini Pwat-sak (Ye Xa Yabine or Hebina Assiniboine, Rocky Assiniboine groups) groups
  3. "Indian and Northern Affairs Canada "Reserves/Settlements/Villages Detail"". Archived from the original on 2013-08-02. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
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