Ermineskin Cree Nation

Ermineskin Cree Nation, also known as the Ermineskin Tribe,^[1] is a band government in Alberta, Canada, a western branch of the large Cree Nation, and a Treaty 6 nation.

As of 2008, there are 3,758 registered Ermineskin Cree, of which 2,606 were living on reserve.^[2]

The Ermineskin Cree Nations 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)^[3] 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:^[4]

• Ermineskin Indian Reserve No. 138, 10295.8 ha.
• Pigeon Lake Indian Reserve No. 138A, 1921 ha.

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

• Willie Littlechild

References

External links

• Ermineskin Cree Nation Homepage and Gallery

The Numbered Treaties: Treaty Six 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 Marcel Colomb First Nation Mathias Colomb First Nation Saskatchewan Ahtahkakoop First Nation Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation Big Island Lake Cree Nation Big River First Nation Flying Dust First Nation Island Lake First Nation James Smith First Nation Lac La Ronge First Nation Little Pine First Nation Lucky Man First Nation Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation Mistawasis First Nation Montreal Lake First Nation Moosomin First Nation Mosquito-Grizzly Bear's Head-Lean Man Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Muskoday First Nation One Arrow First Nation Onion Lake First Nation Pelican Lake First Nation Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Poundmaker Cree Nation Red Pheasant First Nation Saulteaux First Nation Sweetgrass First Nation Sturgeon Lake First Nation Thunderchild First Nation Waterhen Lake First Nation Witchekan Lake First Nation Alberta Alexander First Nation Alexis First Nation Beaver Lake Cree Nation Cold Lake First Nation Enoch Cree Nation Ermineskin Cree Nation Frog Lake First Nation Heart Lake First Nation Kehewin Cree Nation Louis Bull First Nation Michel Band (disputed) Montana First Nation O'Chiese First Nation Papaschase (disputed) Paul First Nation Saddle Lake Cree Nation Samson First Nation Sunchild First Nation Whitefish Lake First Nation (Goodfish)

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