Coté First Nation

The Cote First Nation is a Saulteaux First Nations band government in Kamsack, Saskatchewan. This First Nation reserve is connected to the Keeseekoose First Nation and only a couple of miles from the Key First Nation. Their land is situated just south of the boreal forest in the aspen parkland ecosystem of Canada. The Ojibwe of this region of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, were both hunters of the plains bison and hunters of the forests which were more abundant during the 19th century. They also fished the endless lakes and other waterways in their country. They seldom went hungry as a result of the large bison herds. However, by the 1870s, commercial hunting had reduced the bison to near extinction and the Ojibwe of Saskatchewan and Manitoba began to suffer from famine.

History

Historically, the people of Cote have lived in Saskatchewan and neighbouring Manitoba, for at least 250 to 300 years. After the Europeans invaded, it forced many Ojibwe people to retreat towards the west as well as to the north. By the late 19th century the Europeans had forced their way into the eastern Saskatchewan region and then commenced to negotiate with Cote leaders. Among them was Chief MīMīY (Gabriel Coté, Mee-may, Pigeon), who signed Treaty 4 on September 15, 1874. A reserve was surveyed in 1877.^[1] It established the Cote First Nation and then eventually the Keeseekoose First Nation which was originally a part of the Swan River First Nation of Manitoba, before floods commenced and forced a relocation. It is not known if the Ojibwe people of eastern Saskatchewan participated in the 1885 Northwest Rebellion but their land was quite far from the major battle scenes of the conflict. The Cote Ojibweg were probably affiliated with Chief Yellow Quill and also Chief Kinistin during the 19th century.

Reserves

Cote was originally a larger reserve connected to the Keeseekoose First Nation. Today the Cote have one reserve of 8,088 hectares or 20,000 acres and share Treaty Four Reserve Grounds Indian Reserve No. 77 with 33 other Treaty 4 First Nations. The Cote First Nation is a member of the Yorkton Tribal Council whose offices are located in Yorkton.

Membership

As of September, 2013 there were 3,616 registered members with 904 members living on-reserve and 2,712 members living off-reserve.^[2]

Cote was originally a larger reserve connected to the Keeseekoose First Nation. Today the Cote Reserve covers 8,088 hectares or 20,000 acres.^[3] Together with the Keeseekoose Reserve the area increases to 41,000 acres or 16,567 hectares. The population of the Cote First Nation is 841 on-Reserve and 2,642 off-Reserve. Total population is 3,483. When including the total population of the Keeseekoose, it increases to 5,726.

References

External links

• Map of Cote-Keeseekoose Reserve Map Link

The Numbered Treaties: Treaty Four Numbered Treaties Treaty 1 Treaty 2 Treaty 3 Treaty 4 Treaty 5 Treaty 6 Treaty 7 Treaty 8 Treaty 9 Treaty 10 Treaty 11 Manitoba Gamblers First Nation Pine Creek First Nation Rolling River First Nation Sapotaweyak Cree Nation Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve First Nation Waywayseecappo First Nation Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation Saskatchewan Carry the Kettle First Nation Coté First Nation Cowessess First Nation Day Star First Nation Fishing Lake First Nation Gordon First Nation Kahkewistahaw First Nation Kawacatoose First Nation Keeseekoose First Nation The Key First Nation Kinistin Saulteaux Nation Little Black Bear First Nation Muscowpetung First Nation Muskowekwan First Nation Nekaneet First Nation Ocean Man First Nation Ochapowace First Nation Okanese First Nation Pasqua First Nation Peepeekisis First Nation Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation Piapot First Nation Sakimay First Nation Standing Buffalo First Nation (included, though not a signatory) Star Blanket Cree Nation White Bear First Nation Wood Mountain First Nation (included, though not a signatory) Yellow Quill First Nation