Fisher River Cree Nation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fisher River Cree Nation
ᐅᒉᑯ ᓰᐱᐩ
ocêko-sîpiy Band number: 264
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 Fisher River Cree Nation
Location in Manitoba
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| Country |  Canada |
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| Government | ||
| • Type | First Nations Council | |
| Time zone | [[UTCUTC−6]] (GMT) | |
| • Summer (DST) | DST | |
| Postal code span |
R0C 1S0
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| Area code(s) | 204 | |
| Website | Official Website: http://www.fisherriver.ca/ | |
| Box 367, Koostatak, MB, R0C 1S0 | ||
The Fisher River Cree Nation (in Cree: Cree: ᐅᒉᑯ ᓰᐱᐩ, ocêko-sîpiy) is a Cree First Nations community. It is located about 193 kilometers (120 miles) north of Manitoba's capital city, Winnipeg.
The Fisher River Cree Nation includes two reserves: Fisher River 44 and Fisher River 44A. In June 2017, there were 1,945 people living on the reserve. Another 1,934 members lived off the reserve, making a total of 3,879 band members. The reserve covers an area of 15,614 acres (6,319 hectares).
The community is named after the fisher. This animal is a North American mammal. It belongs to the same family as weasels and skunks.
The current Chief of Fisher River is David Crate.
Contents
A Look Back: Fisher River's History
Life at Norway House
The Fisher River Cree Nation people were among many Cree who traded at Norway House. This place was a big center for the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). The HBC was a trading company that dealt in furs. Norway House was important for trade in a large area called Rupert's Land. This area stretched from Hudson Bay to the Rocky Mountains.
People traded furs from places like Great Slave Lake at Norway House. In return, they received goods such as metal and cloth from England. By 1875, about 800 Cree people lived at Norway House. Many of them worked for the Hudson's Bay Company.
However, by the 1870s, the natural resources around Norway House were running low. The Hudson's Bay Company started to reduce its operations. In 1869, the Government of Canada took control of the large area that the HBC used to manage.
Changes in Transportation
In the 1870s, the Hudson's Bay Company changed how it moved goods. They stopped using York boats and started using steamboats on Lake Winnipeg. York boats were large boats used for carrying furs and supplies. This change meant that about 200 Cree people who worked on the York boats lost their jobs.
The Rossville Mission
In 1840, the Methodist church started the Rossville mission. This was the first Methodist mission west of Lake Superior in British North America. By 1875, most Christian Cree people lived near this mission. It had started in 1810 on the Nelson River, near Lake Winnipeg. Six years later, it became a village with about thirty houses and a church.
As life became harder for the Cree people at Rossville, missionaries told them to move. They suggested moving to lands better for farming and traditional activities. The Hudson's Bay Company also reported that the village of Rossville was often starving. The company had to help them with food. This problem was solved when 180 Cree people moved to Fisher River in 1877 and 1888. The Hudson's Bay Company even made money by helping with the move.
Treaty 5 and New Beginnings
Seeking New Lands
In 1874, Chief David Rundle and other leaders from Rossville wrote to the government. They asked for help to move south. They wanted to go to their hunting lands around Grassy Narrows and the White Mud River. They had family there, and the land and fishing were good.
However, in the summer of 1875, their request was denied. The government was saving that land for Icelandic settlers. Instead, the government offered them land at the mouth of the Fisher River. Unlike other groups in Treaty No. 5, who received 160 acres per family, Fisher River only received 100 acres per family.
In 1875, the Canadian government gave a large strip of land along Lake Winnipeg to Icelandic immigrants. These immigrants started a settlement in what is now Gimli.
Moving to Fisher River
In 1876, a serious smallpox sickness spread. It started from the new Icelandic settlers and quickly affected the First Nation people. Many people died, including those from the Sandy Bar Band near Riverton. The sickness and quarantine delayed the move.
Finally, in the summer of 1877, 43 families (about 200 people) made the 200-mile journey south. They moved to the place that is now the Fisher River Reserve.
Signing Treaty 5
Treaty 5 was signed at Norway House on September 24, 1875. Chief David Rundle and Councillors James Cochrane, Harry Constatag (Koostatak), and Charles Pisequinip signed for the Norway House Band. Charles Pisequinip stayed in Norway House when the others moved to Fisher River.
Lieutenant Governor Alexander Morris represented the Queen. He signed Treaty 5 with the Saulteaux and Swampy Cree peoples around Lake Winnipeg. The Christian Indians of Rossville, led by David Rundle, were given the land for the present-day Fisher River reserve.
After arriving at the reserve, the people built homes. They divided the land for farming. Besides farming, they also worked in fishing and lumber. Many more families from northern Manitoba joined the original settlers throughout the 1880s. In 1908, the band signed more agreements to Treaty Number Five, which brought even more people into the band.
Culture and Traditions
The Fisher River Cree Nation has a rich culture. In the past, family activities included dancing, square dances, jigging, fiddling, sports events, and movie nights.
Treaty Days Celebrations
Historically, on Treaty days, each person would receive five dollars and food from the federal government. Families would gather by the Fisher River and camp in large canvas tents. Treaty day activities included sports, games, trade booths, and dances. Treaty days were the most exciting event of the year. When families came together to share and celebrate, it created a strong community feeling.
Annual Pow Wow
Fisher River holds an annual Ada Wilson "Grey Cloud Woman" Memorial Pow Wow in August. Dancers from all over North America come to this event. It takes place in a large, beautiful arbour built from logs. The pow wow was renamed in 2006 to honor Ada Wilson. She was a respected member of the community.
Past Chiefs of Fisher River
- David Rundle: Treaty 5 Signatory 1875
- John Cochrane: 1905 – 1917
- Joseph Everett: 1917 - 1921
- Moses McKay: 1921 – 1922
- Daniel Cochrane: 1922 – 1925
- James Murdock: 1926 – 1931
- Jeremiah Rundle : 1931 - 1937
- James Murdock : 1938 to 1940
- Alex Hudson: 1940 - 1945
- James Murdock: 1945 - 1953
- Charles Sinclair: 1953 - 1959
- Solomon Mallett: 1959 - 1963
- George Sinclair: 1963 - 1965
- Isaac Cochrane: 1965 - 1967
- Solomon Mallett: 1967 - 1969
- Charles Sinclair: 1969 - 1973
- Wesley Hart: 1973 - 1989
- David Crate: 1989 - 1991
- Lorne Cochrane: 1991 - 1995
- David Crate: 1995 - 2001
- Sam Murdock: 2001 - 2003
- David Crate: 2003–Present
Notable People from Fisher River
- Verna Kirkness CM OM (born 1935) is a Cree scholar. She is a pioneer and strong supporter of Indigenous languages.
- Kent Monkman (born 1965) is a member of Fisher River. He is a visual and performance artist.
See Also
- Fisher River Hawks
External Links
- Official Website: http://www.fisherriver.ca/
Images for kids
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Flag of the Fisher River Cree Nation
