Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation facts for kids
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| People | Willow Cree |
|---|---|
| Treaty | Treaty 6 |
| Headquarters | Duck Lake |
| Province | Saskatchewan |
| Land | |
| Main reserve | Beardy's & Okemasis' 96 & 97 |
| Other reserve(s) |
|
| Land area | 203.46 km2 |
| Population (2019) | |
| On reserve | 1354 |
| Off reserve | 2184 |
| Total population | 3538 |
| Government | |
| Chief | Edwin Ananas |
| Council |
Jeremy Seeseequasis, Sheryl Okemaysim, Delano Mike, Warren Seesequais, Marie Neubuhr, Kurt Seesequasis
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| Tribal Council | |
| Independent. | |
| Website | |
| bofn9697.com | |
The Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation is a First Nation (an Indigenous group) located in Saskatchewan, Canada. They are part of the larger Cree people. A First Nation is like a self-governing community.
This First Nation has several reserves, which are lands set aside for them. These include:
- Beardy's & Okemasis' 96 & 97
- Beardy's & Okemasis' 96 & 97A
- Beardy's & Okemasis' 96 & 97B
- Beardy's & Okemasis' 96 & 97C
Contents
Who Are the Willow Cree?
The Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation belongs to a group called the Willow Cree. The Willow Cree are a part of the Plains Cree tribe. They live in the parklands of Saskatchewan. This area is between the Boreal Forest and the Great Plains. It is also located between the North Saskatchewan and South Saskatchewan Rivers.
The Chiefs and Their Names
The nation is named after two important Willow Cree Chiefs: Chief Beardy and Chief Okemasis.
- Chief Beardy's Cree name was kâmiyescawesit. This means "one who has a little beard."
- Chief Okemasis's Cree name was okimâsis. This means "little chief." It comes from the word okimâw, which means "chief."
These two chiefs led a large part of the Willow Cree people. They settled west of Duck Lake before 1876.
Joining Together: A Single Nation
In 1876, a very important agreement called Treaty 6 was signed. Treaties are formal agreements between First Nations and the Canadian government. After this treaty, the lands of Chief Beardy and Chief Okemasis were next to each other. Over time, their two groups joined to form one single First Nation.
The Cree name for this combined reserve is ᓃᐱᓰᐦᑯᐹᐏᔨᓃᓈᕽ nîpisîhkopâwiyinînâhk. This beautiful name means "among the Willow Cree."
Other Willow Cree Groups
Not all Willow Cree joined the Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation. The remaining Willow Cree today form another First Nation called the One Arrow First Nation.
