Sweetgrass First Nation
wîhkaso-kisêyin
PeopleCree
TreatyTreaty 6
HeadquartersCut Knife
ProvinceSaskatchewan
Land
Main reserveSweetgrass 113
Land area205.73 km2
Population (2019)
On reserve749
Total population2051
Government
ChiefLori Whitecalf
Council
  • Donovan Arcand
  • Rod Atcheynum
  • Ray Fox
  • Hazen Paskimin
  • Trina Albert
  • Isaac Thomas
Tribal Council
Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc.
Website
https://sweetgrassfirstnation.ca

The Sweetgrass First Nation (Cree: ᐑᐦᑲᓱᑭᓭᔨᐣ, wîhkaso-kisêyin[1]) is a Cree First Nation reserve in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan, Canada. Their territory is located 35 kilometers west of Battleford. The reserve was established when Chief Sweetgrass signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876, with the Fort Pitt Indians.[2] Chief Sweetgrass was killed six months after signing Treaty 6, after which Sweetgrass's son, Apseenes (Young Sweet Grass), succeeded him. Apseenes was unsuccessful in leading the band so chiefdom was handed over to Wah-wee-kah-oo-tah-mah-hote (Strikes him on the back) after he signed Treaty 6 in 1876 at Fort Carlton.[2] Wah-wee-kah-oo-tah-mah-hote served as chief between 1876 and 1883 but was deposed and Apseenes took over chiefdom.[2]

History of the Cree

The Cree (nêhiyawak) occupy Saskatchewan from the northern woodlands to the southern plains. Southern Cree groups moved onto the prairies in 1740 and became middlemen in the Fur Trade, forming an alliance with the Saulteaux and Assiniboine in the Iron Confederacy.[3] After the Cree maintained positive relations with European traders and held their trading advantage through the late 1800s, they became the dominant indigenous group in the northern section of North America.[4]

Cree culture

The Cree believe that humans have an intimate relationship with their environment. For example, hunters have pawâkanak (dream helpers) which lead them to game. The Cree also valued oral story telling[5] and wâhkotowin (kinship) which is important for growing the connection with the Spirit of Nêhiyawêwin.[6] Cree elders have found that their environment is capable of healing the mind and spirit.[7] Sweetgrass First Nation's Elder, Archie Weenie, believes that land and plants have the power and energy to communicate with people which serves as a means of survival.[8]

Population

As of December 31, 2019,[9] the Sweetgrass First Nation consists of 2051 registered band members. 749 people, including non-first nation people and people from other first nations, currently live on the reserve. The nation is currently led by Chief Lori Whitecalf.[10]

Lands

After Wah-wee-kah-oo-tah-mah-hote signed Treaty 6 at Fort Carlton on August 28, 1876, a reserve was established west of Battleford in 1884. Here, melded band members maintained crops[11] and livestock while selling wood and hay to support their economy. The band currently controls 20,573.80 hectares of land with the largest block being 26 kilometers west of North Battleford.[2]

Land use

38% of Sweetgrass First Nation land is used for cropland, 21% is native grassland, 34% is tree cover, and 2% constitutes small bodies of water and marshes. Other classes of land include forage and treed areas and other uses include residential areas.[12]

Reserves

The Sweetgrass Nation currently controls the following reserves:[13]

Government

The Sweetgrass First Nation is governed by the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs (BATC[14]). The Sweetgrass First Nation BATC committee is currently represented by Chief Lori Whitecalf and Councillors Trina Albert, Donovan Arcand, Rod Atcheynum, Ray Fox, Hazen Paskimin, and Isaac Thomas.[10]

Chiefs

List of historic chiefs:[14]

Economic development

According to the Sweetgrass First Nation 2020-2021 Annual Report, the band has planned to increase source revenues, focusing on urban reserve. The band was approved for $160,000 in funding from the Indigenous Services Canada to be used for site infrastructure.[2] The band also increased employment by partnering with the BATC Atoskewin Success Centre to build two tiny homes which are now being occupied by tenants.[2]

References

  1. ^ Ogg, Arden (August 19, 2015). "Cree Place Names Project". Cree Literacy Network. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Sweetgrass First Nation Community Site". sweetgrassfirstnation.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  3. ^ "Cree Tribe of North America – Legends of America". www.legendsofamerica.com. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  4. ^ "Cree: History, Culture & Traditions | StudySmarter". StudySmarter US. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  5. ^ Wheeler, Winona. Cree Intellectual Traditions in History.
  6. ^ Napier, Kyle; Whiskeyjack, Lana (2021). "wahkotowin: Reconnecting to the Spirit of nêhiyawêwin (Cree Language)". Engaged Scholar Journal: Community-Engaged Research, Teaching and Learning. 7 (1): 1–24. doi:10.15402/esj.v7i1.69979. ISSN 2369-1190.
  7. ^ editor., Cote-Meek, Sheila, 1957- editor. Moeke-Pickering, Taima, 1961-. Decolonizing and indigenizing education in Canada. ISBN 978-1-77338-181-7. OCLC 1141255777. ((cite book)): |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ A., Stiffarm, Lenore (1998). As we see-- : aboriginal pedagogy. University Extension Press, University of Saskatchewan. ISBN 0-88880-384-2. OCLC 39912918.((cite book)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "Sweet Grass First Nation - Indigenous Saskatchewan Encyclopedia | University of Saskatchewan". teaching.usask.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  10. ^ a b "Sweetgrass First Nation". www.batc.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  11. ^ "Sweetgrass First Nation Farming". CBC.
  12. ^ Benfield, Denise. Sweetgrass First Nation #113 Summary of the Background Report for the Source Water Protection Pilot Project. First Nations Agricultural Council of Saskatchewan, Inc. p. 2.
  13. ^ "Sweet Grass 113 SK - municipal building Council and more information". www.municipality-canada.com. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  14. ^ a b McDowell, Megan (January 2015). "Neocolonialism, First Nations Governance and Identity: Community Perspectives from Battleford Agency Tribal Chiefs (BATC) First Nations". ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

52°49′02″N 108°33′05″W / 52.81722°N 108.55139°W / 52.81722; -108.55139

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