Big Island Lake Cree Nation Explained

Band Name:Big Island Lake Cree Nation
Band Number:399
People:Cree
Treaty:Treaty 6
Headquarters:Pierceland
Province:Saskatchewan
Reserve:Big Island Lake Cree Territory
Area:47.001
Pop Year:2021
On Reserve:887
Off Reserve:379
Chief:David Sandfly
Council:Carvey SandflyDonna OseemeemowAnnabelle Sandfly

Ryan Sandfly

Tribal Council:Yawpowitik
Website:Wikipedia
Footnotes:[1]

Big Island Lake Cree Nation (Cree: ᒥᐢᑎᑯᐢᑳᐤ ᓵᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ mistikoskâw-sâkahikan, meaning many trees lake)[2] is a Cree First Nation[3] in Saskatchewan, Canada. They have reserved for themselves one reserve, also called Big Island Lake Cree Nation, within Rural Municipality of Beaver River No. 622.

History

On June 25, 1913, Chief Joseph Bighead, representing the Big Island Lake Cree Nation, also known as Lac Des Isles, signed an adhesion to Treaty 6. Indian Agents got into the habit of referring Big Island Lake as Joseph Bighead’s Band so the name stuck until 2000 when Indian Affairs was reminded to call the Band Big Island Lake Band by its original name of Big Island Lake Cree Nation and its Territory as signed at Treaty Adhesion! Chief Joseph Bighead - Atinistikwan was a leader that choose not to follow anyone and he and his Band continue to be independent of any Tribal Council or Federation believing membership serves to diminish Treaty Rights.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: First Nation Detail. September 10, 2019. Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada.
  2. http://www.bigorrin.org/archive19.htm http://www.bigorrin.org/archive19.htm
  3. Web site: First Nation Detail - Big Island Lake Cree Nation. Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. 1 December 2018.
  4. Book: Barry, Bill . Geographic Names of Saskatchewan . registration . 2005 . 1-897010-19-2 . People Places Publishing Ltd. . Regina, Saskatchewan.