Muskoday First Nation
Encyclopedia
The Muskoday First Nation (formerly the John Smith First Nation) is a First Nation in Saskatchewan
, Canada
, composed of Cree
and Saulteaux
peoples. The First Nation has a registered population
of 1552 people as of December 2007, of which approximately 560 members of the First Nation live on-reserve, and approximately 980 live off-reserve. Muskoday's territory is located in the aspen parkland
biome. It is bordered by the rural municipalities
of Birch Hills No. 460
and Prince Albert No. 461
.
and Saulteaux
band who were originally from the St. Peters Reserve (this was near Selkirk, Manitoba
and was dissolved, with the remainder of the band today comprising the Peguis First Nation
in Manitoba
) settled along the South Saskatchewan River
in the 1870s. Chief Smith signed onto Treaty Six at Fort Carlton in 1876 making the settlement legally an Indian reserve
.
The reserve and First Nation was initially named after their Chief John Smith, who was a brother of Chief James Smith, the founder of the James Smith First Nation
. Also during the late 19th century, James Isbister
served for a period as a farm instructor at Muskoday.
During the 1970s, the John Smith First Nation became the Muskoday First Nation. During the same period as the First Nation's name change, a highway
was completed through the reserve that linked the town of Birch Hills
with Prince Albert
. The Muskoday Bridge was then built over the South Saskatchewan River
, which divides the reserve lands roughly in half.
Unlike many other Cree Nations in the area, in the 19th and 20th century the reserve was almost entirely Anglican, with no Roman Catholic influence. Traditional spirituality and practices remained strong, however. Today, the two church congregations serving the Muskoday First Nation are St. James Anglican Church and the Muskoday Baptist Church.
The First Nation is affiliated with the Saskatoon Tribal Council, along with six other First Nations. The Saskatoon Tribal Council was established on February 23, 1982, as an institution to assist the individual and collective governments of the First Nations in the Saskatoon area. In their mission statement, the Saskatoon Tribal Council states that they strive "...to maintain the social, economic and political bases of the First Nations represented herein, including their rights to land, resources, culture, language, self-government and self-determination." The statement continues with "The Saskatoon Tribal Council is desirous of obtaining and achieving co-operation and understanding between First Nation and non-First Nation citizens within represented First Nation territories and with Canada generally."
. This led the way for further developing services available to its people. These services include a housing development affectionately known as "the village" by the community, water plant, community health center, administration building and band hall.
In 2005, the Muskoday First Nation completed the construction of its own Kindergarten to Grade 9 school. Other services include the Muskoday Awasis Daycare/Headstart Center, Muskoday Volunteer Fire Department and the Muskoday Development Corporation.
In addition to these government services, the community houses a gas bar, a convenience store, a post office and a restaurant.
located approximately 19 km southeast of the city
of Prince Albert
. The community of Muskoday, Saskatchewan, is located on this reserve.
Like many of the First Nations of Canada, Muskoday First Nation are engaged in ongoing discussions, agreements and lobby efforts with the federal Government of Canada; Land ownership and entitlement are at the core in these efforts. At the time of the signing of Treaty 6
, the incorrect amount of land was reserved for the Muskoday. This led to Muskoday First Nation to submit a Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) claim. The discrepancy was identified as 6,144 acres (2,486.4 hectare). The TLE claim was approved and on May 23, 2007, Muskoday members voted overwhelmingly to ratify the TLE settlement. The amount of the TLE will be approximately $10,300,000.00, which will be paid to Muskoday over a period of 5 years. To satisfy the conditions of the TLE claim process, Muskoday must purchase at least 6144 acres (24.9 km²) during that 5 year period.
PO BOX 99
Muskoday, SK S0J 3H0
Website
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, composed of Cree
Cree
The Cree are one of the largest groups of First Nations / Native Americans in North America, with 200,000 members living in Canada. In Canada, the major proportion of Cree live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, although...
and Saulteaux
Saulteaux
The Saulteaux are a First Nation in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, Canada.-Ethnic classification:The Saulteaux are a branch of the Ojibwe nations. They are sometimes also called Anihšināpē . Saulteaux is a French term meaning "people of the rapids," referring to...
peoples. The First Nation has a registered population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 1552 people as of December 2007, of which approximately 560 members of the First Nation live on-reserve, and approximately 980 live off-reserve. Muskoday's territory is located in the aspen parkland
Aspen parkland
Aspen parkland refers to a very large area of transitional biome between prairie and boreal forest in two sections; the Peace River Country of northwestern Alberta crossing the border into British Columbia, and a much larger area stretching from central Alberta, all across central Saskatchewan to...
biome. It is bordered by the rural municipalities
Rural municipality
A rural municipality, often abbreviated RM, is a form of municipality in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, perhaps best comparable to counties or townships in the western United States...
of Birch Hills No. 460
Birch Hills No. 460, Saskatchewan
Birch Hills No. 460 is a rural municipality in north-central Saskatchewan, Canada within census division 15. It is located southeast of Prince Albert on Highway 3, and north of Saskatoon. The R.M. is within the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division No. 119....
and Prince Albert No. 461
Prince Albert No. 461, Saskatchewan
Prince Albert No. 461 is a rural municipality in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, located in the Census Division 15. The seat of the municipality is located in the City of Prince Albert.-Demographics:...
.
Background
The First Nation's land was settled after Chief John Smith of a CreeCree
The Cree are one of the largest groups of First Nations / Native Americans in North America, with 200,000 members living in Canada. In Canada, the major proportion of Cree live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, although...
and Saulteaux
Saulteaux
The Saulteaux are a First Nation in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, Canada.-Ethnic classification:The Saulteaux are a branch of the Ojibwe nations. They are sometimes also called Anihšināpē . Saulteaux is a French term meaning "people of the rapids," referring to...
band who were originally from the St. Peters Reserve (this was near Selkirk, Manitoba
Selkirk, Manitoba
Selkirk is a city in the western Canadian province of Manitoba, located about 22 km northeast of the provincial capital Winnipeg on the Red River, near . As of the 2006 census, Selkirk had a population of 9,515....
and was dissolved, with the remainder of the band today comprising the Peguis First Nation
Peguis First Nation
Peguis First Nation is the largest First Nations community in Manitoba, Canada,with a population of approximately 7,338 people. It is located approximately 145 kilometres north of Winnipeg. The citizens of Peguis are of Ojibway and Cree descent.-History:...
in Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
) settled along the South Saskatchewan River
South Saskatchewan River
The South Saskatchewan River is a major river in Canada that flows through the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan....
in the 1870s. Chief Smith signed onto Treaty Six at Fort Carlton in 1876 making the settlement legally an Indian reserve
Indian reserve
In Canada, an Indian reserve is specified by the Indian Act as a "tract of land, the legal title to which is vested in Her Majesty, that has been set apart by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of a band." The Act also specifies that land reserved for the use and benefit of a band which is not...
.
The reserve and First Nation was initially named after their Chief John Smith, who was a brother of Chief James Smith, the founder of the James Smith First Nation
James Smith First Nation
The James Smith First Nation is a Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada. James Smith has one Indian Reserve Fort à la Corne #100 located north of Kinistino, Saskatchewan near Fort de la Corne on the Saskatchewan River. This reserve is shared between three first nations, the other two being the...
. Also during the late 19th century, James Isbister
James Isbister
James Isbister was a Canadian Métis leader of the 19th-century. Prominent among the Anglo-Métis of the area, he is considered by some to be the founder of the city of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.-Life:...
served for a period as a farm instructor at Muskoday.
During the 1970s, the John Smith First Nation became the Muskoday First Nation. During the same period as the First Nation's name change, a highway
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
was completed through the reserve that linked the town of Birch Hills
Birch Hills, Saskatchewan
Birch Hills is a town located in Saskatchewan, Canada. It is located southeast of Prince Albert and the reserve of Muskoday First Nation. Directly to the west is the village of St. Louis, and to the east is Kinistino. It is surrounded by, but not part of, Birch Hills Rural Municipality No...
with Prince Albert
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Prince Albert is the third-largest city in Saskatchewan, Canada. It is situated in the centre of the province on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. The city is known as the "Gateway to the North" because it is the last major centre along the route to the resources of northern Saskatchewan...
. The Muskoday Bridge was then built over the South Saskatchewan River
South Saskatchewan River
The South Saskatchewan River is a major river in Canada that flows through the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan....
, which divides the reserve lands roughly in half.
Unlike many other Cree Nations in the area, in the 19th and 20th century the reserve was almost entirely Anglican, with no Roman Catholic influence. Traditional spirituality and practices remained strong, however. Today, the two church congregations serving the Muskoday First Nation are St. James Anglican Church and the Muskoday Baptist Church.
Governance
The Muskoday First Nation have an Act Electoral System for determining their elected leaders. The current leadership consists of Chief Austin Bear and five councillors: Eric Bear, Ronald Brass, Eldon Crain, Herman Crain and Ed Vandale. Their two-year elected term began on March 22, 2009.The First Nation is affiliated with the Saskatoon Tribal Council, along with six other First Nations. The Saskatoon Tribal Council was established on February 23, 1982, as an institution to assist the individual and collective governments of the First Nations in the Saskatoon area. In their mission statement, the Saskatoon Tribal Council states that they strive "...to maintain the social, economic and political bases of the First Nations represented herein, including their rights to land, resources, culture, language, self-government and self-determination." The statement continues with "The Saskatoon Tribal Council is desirous of obtaining and achieving co-operation and understanding between First Nation and non-First Nation citizens within represented First Nation territories and with Canada generally."
Services
Muskoday First Nation government have several services made available to their peoples. In 1997 the First Nation designed a Land Code to manage its own lands, rather than have them managed by the federal Government of CanadaGovernment of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
. This led the way for further developing services available to its people. These services include a housing development affectionately known as "the village" by the community, water plant, community health center, administration building and band hall.
In 2005, the Muskoday First Nation completed the construction of its own Kindergarten to Grade 9 school. Other services include the Muskoday Awasis Daycare/Headstart Center, Muskoday Volunteer Fire Department and the Muskoday Development Corporation.
In addition to these government services, the community houses a gas bar, a convenience store, a post office and a restaurant.
Reserve
The First Nation has reserved for itself the 9,686.8 hectare (23,936.6 acres) Muskoday First Nation Reserve (formerly the Muskoday 99 Indian Reserve), an Indian ReserveIndian reserve
In Canada, an Indian reserve is specified by the Indian Act as a "tract of land, the legal title to which is vested in Her Majesty, that has been set apart by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of a band." The Act also specifies that land reserved for the use and benefit of a band which is not...
located approximately 19 km southeast of the city
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
of Prince Albert
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Prince Albert is the third-largest city in Saskatchewan, Canada. It is situated in the centre of the province on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. The city is known as the "Gateway to the North" because it is the last major centre along the route to the resources of northern Saskatchewan...
. The community of Muskoday, Saskatchewan, is located on this reserve.
Like many of the First Nations of Canada, Muskoday First Nation are engaged in ongoing discussions, agreements and lobby efforts with the federal Government of Canada; Land ownership and entitlement are at the core in these efforts. At the time of the signing of Treaty 6
Treaty 6
Treaty 6 is an agreement between the Canadian monarch and the Plain and Wood Cree Indians and other tribes of Indians at Fort Carlton, Fort Pitt and Battle River. The area agreed upon by the Plain and Wood Cree represents most of the central area of the current provinces of Saskatchewan and...
, the incorrect amount of land was reserved for the Muskoday. This led to Muskoday First Nation to submit a Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) claim. The discrepancy was identified as 6,144 acres (2,486.4 hectare). The TLE claim was approved and on May 23, 2007, Muskoday members voted overwhelmingly to ratify the TLE settlement. The amount of the TLE will be approximately $10,300,000.00, which will be paid to Muskoday over a period of 5 years. To satisfy the conditions of the TLE claim process, Muskoday must purchase at least 6144 acres (24.9 km²) during that 5 year period.
Official address
Muskoday First NationPO BOX 99
Muskoday, SK S0J 3H0
- Phone: 1-306-764-1282
- Fax: 1-306-764-7272
Website
| North: Davis Davis, Saskatchewan Davis is a Canadian hamlet south of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Davis was once a village but has since shrunk to a handful of houses. It is just north of the Muskoday First Nation. Davis was named for Senator Thomas Osborne Davis a prominent Prince Albert merchant and Liberal Party member in the... |
||
| West: Fenton Fenton, Saskatchewan Fenton, formerly Adams Crossing, is a Canadian hamlet southeast of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. It is a short distance, 13km west from Birch Hills, Saskatchewan. Fenton is on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River east of Halcro, Saskatchewan and southwest of the Muskoday First Nation. The... |
Muskoday | East: Weldon Weldon, Saskatchewan -Attractions:Weldon has modern amenities and services, and its population of approximately 250 enjoys a quiet, relaxed lifestyle reminiscent of another era. Many of the residents trace their lineage back to their Norwegian forebears who first established the community just after the turn of the... |
| South: Birch Hills Birch Hills, Saskatchewan Birch Hills is a town located in Saskatchewan, Canada. It is located southeast of Prince Albert and the reserve of Muskoday First Nation. Directly to the west is the village of St. Louis, and to the east is Kinistino. It is surrounded by, but not part of, Birch Hills Rural Municipality No... |
See also
Website Address: http://www.muskoday.ca- Davis, SaskatchewanDavis, SaskatchewanDavis is a Canadian hamlet south of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Davis was once a village but has since shrunk to a handful of houses. It is just north of the Muskoday First Nation. Davis was named for Senator Thomas Osborne Davis a prominent Prince Albert merchant and Liberal Party member in the...
- James Smith First NationJames Smith First NationThe James Smith First Nation is a Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada. James Smith has one Indian Reserve Fort à la Corne #100 located north of Kinistino, Saskatchewan near Fort de la Corne on the Saskatchewan River. This reserve is shared between three first nations, the other two being the...
- Peguis First NationPeguis First NationPeguis First Nation is the largest First Nations community in Manitoba, Canada,with a population of approximately 7,338 people. It is located approximately 145 kilometres north of Winnipeg. The citizens of Peguis are of Ojibway and Cree descent.-History:...