First Nations in Manitoba facts for kids

First Nations are the original people of Canada. In Manitoba, there are over 160,000 First Nations people. Many of them live on special lands called reserves. Manitoba has the second-largest number of First Nations people living on reserves in Canada, after Ontario.

There are 63 different First Nations groups in Manitoba. They speak five main Indigenous languages. These languages include Nēhiyawēwin (Plains Cree), Ojibwe, Dakota, Oji-Cree, and Dene. Sometimes, different names are used for the same First Nation group.

Who Are First Nations in Manitoba?

As of 2021, there were about 164,000 First Nations people living in Manitoba. More than half of these people, about 93,000, live on reserves.

Manitoba is home to 63 First Nations groups. Six of these groups are among the 20 largest in all of Canada. The five main Indigenous languages spoken here are Cree, Ojibway, Dakota, Oji-Cree, and Dene.

How First Nations Are Governed

First Nations in Manitoba have their own ways of governing. They also have important agreements with Canada called treaties.

Understanding Treaties in Manitoba

There are seven main treaties that cover different parts of Manitoba. These treaties are agreements made between First Nations and the Canadian government. They often deal with land use and other rights.

• Treaty 1 is in the south-central part of Manitoba.
• Treaty 2 covers central and southwestern areas.
• Treaty 3 is found in the southeastern region.
• Treaty 4 includes a part of west-central Manitoba.
• Treaty 5 (signed in 1875 and 1908) covers central and northern Manitoba.
• Treaty 6 is in the northern region.
• Treaty 10 runs along northwestern Manitoba.

Some Dakota Nations, like Birdtail Sioux and Sioux Valley, did not sign these treaties with Canada. However, their lands are still recognized as reserve lands under Canadian law.

Tribal Councils and Organizations

First Nations groups often work together in larger groups called tribal councils. There are seven tribal councils in Manitoba:

• Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council
• Interlake Reserves Tribal Council
• Island Lake Tribal Council
• Keewatin Tribal Council
• Southeast Resource Development Council
• Swampy Cree Tribal Council
• West Region Tribal Council

Some First Nations, such as Cross Lake and Norway House Cree Nation, do not belong to any tribal council.

First Nations in Manitoba also have three main political organizations that represent them. These are the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, and the Southern Chiefs Organization. The Manitoba government also has a department, Manitoba Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations, that works on issues related to Indigenous peoples.

Where First Nations Live

Many First Nations communities are located across Manitoba. Some of these communities are in remote areas.

Reserves in Manitoba

There are about 63 reserves in Manitoba. A reserve is land set aside for First Nations people. About 17 First Nations communities are not connected by roads that can be used all year round. This means about half of the First Nations people living on reserves in Manitoba live in these remote areas.

Here are some of the First Nations with reserves in Manitoba:

Urban Reserves

Some First Nations have special reserve lands located within or very close to cities and towns. These are called urban reserves. There are currently 14 urban reserves in Manitoba. They are often used for businesses and community services.

Examples of urban reserves include:

• Opaskwayak Cree Nation has an urban reserve next to The Pas.
• Swan Lake First Nation has urban reserve land near Headingley.
• Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation has urban reserve land next to Winnipeg.
• Sapotaweyak Cree Nation has two urban reserve lands within Swan River.
• Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation has urban reserve land within Thompson.
• Birdtail Sioux First Nation has urban reserve land within Foxwarren.
• War Lake First Nation has 40 urban reserve lands in Ilford.
• Long Plain First Nation has two urban reserve lands, one near Portage la Prairie and one in Winnipeg.
• Gambler First Nation has an urban reserve business park in Brandon.
• Peguis First Nation has urban reserve land within Winnipeg.
• Rolling River First Nation has urban reserve land in Headingley.
• Waywayseecappo First Nation has urban reserve land in Elton.