Fishing Lake Metis Settlement facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fishing Lake Metis Settlement Packechawanis (Cree)
Métis settlement
Motto(s):  "Our Land, Our Culture, Our People, Our Future"
Location in M.D. of Bonnyville
Fishing Lake Metis Settlement Location in Alberta
Country	Canada
Province	Alberta
Region	Northern Alberta
Planning region	Lower Athabasca
Municipal district	Bonnyville No. 87
Area  (2021)
• Land	1,726.45 km2 (666.59 sq mi)
Population  (2021)
• Total	551
• Density	0.3/km2 (0.8/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−7 (MST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Website	flms.ca

The Fishing Lake Métis Settlement (called Packechawanis in Cree) is a special place for Métis people in northern Alberta, Canada. It is located within the Municipal District of Bonnyville No. 87 and on Treaty Six lands. This settlement was created by people from the old St. Paul des Métis settlement. For hundreds of years, it was a historic fishing spot for Métis in the area. Fishing Lake Métis Settlement has been important in history, including events like the Frog Lake Resistance. It was also where the Métis movement of the early 1900s began, led by Charles Delorme, Jack Desjarlais, and J.F Dion. The settlement is about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) east of Highway 897 and 52 kilometers (32 miles) south of Cold Lake.

Discover Fishing Lake's Location

Fishing Lake Métis Settlement is located near the border between Alberta and Saskatchewan. It also shares a border with the Elizabeth Métis Settlement. A popular spot called Riel Beach is just outside the settlement. Here, people can enjoy fishing and boating.

The settlement has a fun recreational facility that offers many activities all year round. There are trails perfect for riding bicycles, snowmobiles, or skis, letting you explore the hills and lakes. The community also enjoys rodeos with their horses in nearby towns and farming areas. Newer additions include a skate park and a spray park for everyone to enjoy. Most community buildings and homes are in the area called Sputinow, but there are also places to live outside of town.

A Look Back: Fishing Lake's History

The area around Fishing Lake first saw European and Aboriginal people arrive in the early 1800s. Some came from Edmonton in 1807, and others from Fort Chipewyan in 1819. Aboriginal people include the Inuit, First Nations, and Métis people of Canada. The fur trade and the abundance of whitefish were very important here. The name Packechawanis means "a small place for netting," which shows how important fishing was. Métis people settled here because of these resources. They feel a strong connection to their environment, like the lakes and wildlife, as they have relied on them for centuries. The Fishing Lake settlement was officially founded in 1938, and its boundaries were set in 1949.

Originally, there were twelve Métis settlements planned, but only eight were officially recognized in Canada. These settlements are independent and managed by the Métis Settlements General Council.

The Métis Settlements Act

In 1990, a very important law called the Métis Settlement Act was passed. This act allowed Métis people to govern and manage their own land. This meant they could oversee a large area of land, about 512,121 hectares (1.26 million acres). This act gave the Métis more control over their future and their communities.

The 1885 Métis Resistance

In 1885, the Métis people faced a big challenge as their traditional lands were being taken away. This led them to join forces with their First Nation allies against the Canadian government's North West Field Force. Louis Riel led the Métis and set up a temporary government in Saskatchewan. Sadly, this conflict did not end well for the Métis people. They lost many lives, and many more were injured. The Canadian government won, and Louis Riel was later captured and executed. This battle marked the end of the 1885 North-West Resistance. It also caused many Métis people to be forced to move to different places.

Helping the Métis: The Ewing Commission

In 1935, the Alberta government decided to look into the living conditions of the Métis people. This was known as the Ewing Commission. After studying their health, land issues, and homelessness, the Métis were given a protected land base and basic services. This was an important step in helping the Métis communities.

Who Lives Here: Demographics

In 2021, the Fishing Lake Métis Settlement had a population of 414 people. These residents lived in 151 homes. This number was a small decrease from its population of 446 people in 2016. The settlement covers a land area of about 348.64 square kilometers (134.61 square miles).

Nature and Wildlife

Fishing Lake's Climate

Fishing Lake Métis Settlement has a climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The winters are long and very cold, while the summers are short and warm.

Animals of Fishing Lake

The area is home to many different animals. You might see cougars, martens, otters, and black bears. Other animals include moles, muskrats, gophers, and badgers. There are also white-tailed deer, wolves, squirrels, moose, chipmunks, and groundhogs. Sometimes, cinnamon bears are also seen.

Culture and Community

Language and Heritage

The main languages spoken in Fishing Lake Métis Settlement are Cree and English. The Métis people also have other languages, but some are becoming rare, like Bungee and Michif. A few older Métis people can still speak French Michif. The Michif language is a mix of Cree, French, and Ojibwa. However, very few people under 60 can speak Michif today. Even with lessons and efforts to teach it, many believe Michif might not last much longer. The exact start of Michif is not known, but it might have been created by Métis hunters in the early 1800s. Because Michif was used by independent communities, it was harder to track, and not many people knew about it.

Métis Lifestyle

The fiddle and violin are very important instruments to the Métis people. Their music combines sounds from their ancestors' different cultures, including Aboriginal, French, and Celtic traditions. Today, instead of mainly trading fur and fishing, people in the settlement work in offices, on farms, and in other jobs. Some members live outside the settlement but still stay connected to their community. To become a member of the Fishing Lake Métis Settlement, you need to show proof of Métis ancestry and be over 18 years old. The Right To Play Program was created to offer activities for youth. It helps young people build self-esteem, leadership, and communication skills.

How the Council Works

The settlement's council is made up of five people. These five people are chosen by the members of the settlement. Then, the four council members choose one person to be the chairperson. These councils can create their own rules, called by-laws. They make sure these by-laws follow the general council's policies and provincial laws. The members of the settlement must approve the by-laws if they meet the guidelines. The council is also in charge of deciding who can become a member of the settlement and approving new members.

Métis in the Media

The Métis people are also shown through art. Stephen Gladue, a Métis artist, creates artwork that includes parts of his community. He designed a large mural at Métis Crossing. This cultural place tells the stories of the Métis people. It is the first Métis cultural center in Alberta that shares their experiences. Visitors can enjoy many activities there, such as traditional arts and crafts, community events, and nature trails. Stephen also designed the cover for the graphic novel Moonshot: The Indigenous Comics Collection by Hope Nicholson.

Images for kids

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  Location in M.D. of Bonnyville