Green Lake is a village in Saskatchewan, Canada. Its residents are predominantly Métis people.
Green Lake is located northeast of Meadow Lake, and northwest of Big River. It lies in the southern boreal forest, and takes its name from nearby Green Lake.
Fishing, tourism, and farming, are the major industries.
The Northern Village of Green Lake dates back to 1782, when the North West Company (NWC) established a wintering post on Green Lake. In 1793 the NWC established a permanent post, and in 1810 the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) established itself on the lake. In 1816-1817, the NWC seized the HBC post and its men, however a HBC post was re-established by 1818, and in 1821 the two companies merged. Shortly after the merger, the Green Lake post was closed for several years, reopening in 1831, and continuing operation until 1973. The Green Lake post was an important post in north-central Saskatchewan, connecting many overland trails with the Churchill River.
By the mid 19th century, missionaries had established the Roman Catholic Church in Green Lake. In 1876 Treaty 6, was signed, and soon after settlers began moving into the area. Natives were allowed to join Treaty 6, or had the option of taking scrip. During the North-West Rebellion the Bay store in Green Lake was ransacked by Cree from Frog Lake.
In 1900 a telegraph service and post office were established, and a trail to Meadow Lake was opened. In 1901 a new church was built by the community.
By 1939, the local Métis were described as destitute. To assist the people of Green Lake with employment and training, the provincial government set up Central Farm, a program of 99-year leases on 40-acre (160,000 m2) plots. In addition, a new road is built to Meadow Lake and Île-à-la-Crosse. In 1940, an outpost hospital was built by the government and run by Sisters of the Presentation of Mary. The Sisters also oversaw the running of a cannery, carpentry, and sewing shops. By 1945 a Timber Board and Local Improvement District (LID) were established. A saw mill was opened under the Timber Board, which employed up to 100 men. Under the LID, the Central Farm was expanded, and the Silver Lake Farm was formed in 1965, consisting of mixed farming with an emphasis on cattle.
In 1947, Saskatchewan Highway#155 is established, replacing the existing bush trail, the "Old Bay Trail", connecting Green Lake to Beauval. The highway is completed in 1957, extending to the south side of the Buffalo Narrows Channel. A year-round ferry is set up at Buffalo Narrows.
A Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment and a Red Cross Nursing Station were established in 1953.
In 1972, the LID was replaced by the Department of Northern Saskatchewan (DNS) with a Local Community Authority (LCA). Green Lake, and the area within a three mile (4.8 km) radius from the center of town became Northern Community Area 17. The first LCA members were elected in 1974. In 1974 a new sawmill was built, and in 1975-76 Saskatchewan Highway#55 to Meadow Lake was completed, and a DNS funded sewer and water system is installed.
In 1983, Green Lake is incorporated as a northern village.
In 1992 the village-owned sawmill, Green Lake Metis Wood Products Limited, is incorporated. The mill signs agreements with Weyerhaeuser, Norsask Forest Products, Mistik Management and Province of Saskatchewan, before burning down in 2000. The mill was rebuilt in 2002, only to close in 2003.
In 1996, the Provincial Government gives Central Farm to the village of Green Lake, and in 2006 the village obtains ownership of the Silver Lake Farm as well. 1998, Green Lake Metis Farms Limited is incorporated, and the village operates the two farms with the aid of the board. Both farms are operated as cummunity pasture. Central farm is 9,000 acres (36 km2), and Silver Lake is 3,649.2 acres (14.768 km2).
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