Maskwacis
| Maskwacis (Cree: Bear Hills) Hobbema (1891–2013) | |
|---|---|
  Maskwacis | |
| Coordinates: 52°49.6′N 113°27.1′W / 52.8267°N 113.4517°WCoordinates: 52°49.6′N 113°27.1′W / 52.8267°N 113.4517°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Established | 1891 |
| Name change | January 1, 2014[1] |
| Area (2011)[2] | |
| • Land | 0.23 km2 (0.09 sq mi) |
| Population (2011)[2] | |
| • Total | 0 |
| Population and land area are of the designated place portion of the community only. | |
Maskwacis /ˈmæskwətʃiːs/, known as Hobbema /hoʊˈbiːmə/ prior to 2014, is an unincorporated community in central Alberta, Canada, a portion of which is designated a hamlet within Ponoka County.[3] A portion of the community is also recognized as a designated place by Statistics Canada under its previous name of Hobbema. Maskwacis is located near the intersection of Highway 2A and Highway 611, approximately 70 kilometres (43 mi) south of the City of Edmonton.
The community was originally named Hobbema after Meindert Hobbema during the construction of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway in 1891. The community, including the hamlet portion within Ponoka County, was renamed Maskwacis (meaning "bear hills" in Cree) on January 1, 2014.[1][4]
Geography
The community straddles the boundaries between the Ermineskin Cree Nation reserve, the Samson Cree Nation reserve and Ponoka County. The northern portion of the community is located within the Ermineskin reserve on the west side of Highway 2A. The southern portion of the community is located within the Samson reserve on the east side of Highway 2A and north side of Highway 611. The remaining portion of the community is located within Ponoka County on the west side of Highway 2A across from the Samson reserve portion of the community and south of the Ermineskin portion of the community.
The Ermineskin portion of the community is located within Census Division No. 11, while the Samson reserve and Ponoka County portions are located within Census Division No. 8.
Maskwacis is primarily a First Nation community that serves four reserves of Cree bands, tribes, or nations. The four reserves are collectively known as the "four nations", which are party to Treaty Six. In addition to the previously mentioned Ermineskin Cree Nation and Samson Cree Nation, the other two members of the "four nations" are the Louis Bull Tribe and the Montana First Nation.[5]
Demographics
Despite the designated place portion of Maskwacis having a population of 61 people living in 17 total dwellings in the 2006 Census,[6] Statistics Canada reported the designated place had no population and no dwellings in the 2011 Census.[2] The designated place has a land area of 0.23 km2 (0.089 sq mi).[2]
Crime
The community has attracted national media attention in Canada for its problems with crime and gangs. In attempt to cut down on crime, the Hobbema Cadet Corp was established with the goal of keeping children as young as eight years old off the streets.[7][8][9]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "County Council Meeting (minutes)" (PDF). Ponoka County. September 3, 2013. p. 2. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places, 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. January 30, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
- ↑ "Specialized and Rural Municipalities and Their Communities" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. December 31, 2013. p. 13. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Samson Cree First Nation plans for name change". CTV News. December 26, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ↑
- ↑ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places, 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. January 6, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
- ↑ "Hobbema, Alberta: A town in a 'state of crisis'", National Post, 5 April 2008
- ↑ "Former Hobbema gang member hopes to make difference". CBC News. 2008-05-15.
- ↑ "Gunfire rings through Hobbema", Edmonton Journal, 17 April 2008
