Little Pine First Nation facts for kids

The Little Pine First Nation (Cree: ᒥᓇᐦᐃᑯᓯᕽ minahikosihk) is a Plains Cree First Nation community in Saskatchewan, Canada. A First Nation is a group of Indigenous people who are the original inhabitants of a specific area. Their main lands, called reserves, include Little Pine 116, Min-a-he-quo-sis 116A, and Min-a-he-quo-sis 116C. The Little Pine First Nation is located near a place called Bluehill and the Battle River. Bluehill is a very important symbol of home for their people.

People of Little Pine

As of 2022, the Little Pine First Nation has about 2,200 registered members. Around 979 people live on the Little Pine reserve, while others live on different reserves or in other places. The total land area of their reserves is about 64,161 acres.

Many people in the Little Pine First Nation speak Indigenous languages. In 2016, over half of the population (52.1%) knew an Indigenous language. This shows how important their traditional languages are to their culture.

History of Little Pine First Nation

Early Leaders and Treaties

In the 1870s, a powerful Cree leader named Big Bear (Mistahimaskwa, born around 1825) wanted all Indigenous groups in the region to unite. He believed they should work together against new settlements by non-Indigenous people. Big Bear was worried about Treaty 6, an agreement with the Canadian government. He felt it would make his people lose their freedom. Even though he didn't like the treaty, he eventually signed it in 1882 so his people could get food and supplies.

Another important leader was Minahikosis, also known as Little Pine (born around 1830). He was related to the Blackfoot and Cree people. Like Big Bear, Little Pine also hoped for a united Indigenous nation. He waited three years before signing Treaty 6 because his people were starving.

Poundmaker (Pitikwahanapiwiyin), another Cree chief, also signed Treaty 6 in 1876. He accepted a reserve for his people near Battleford in 1879.

Treaty 6 covered a huge area of land, about 315,000 square miles. When the First Nations signed this treaty, they gave up control of much of their traditional territory. However, the treaty also promised them things like a "medicine chest" (medical supplies) and help if there was a famine or disease. The Little Pine First Nation was one of the groups that had to move because of this treaty.

Moving to New Lands

After signing Treaty 6, Chief Minahikosis (Little Pine) and his people moved from the Cypress Hills area to the foot of Bluehill, along the Battle River.

Little Pine First Nation: Location on a map

Around 1883-1884, Little Pine and another chief named Lucky Man camped near Poundmaker's reserve. They all wanted their reserves to be next to each other, but the government did not allow it.

Challenges and Changes

Life on the reserves was difficult. The government did not provide enough help for the First Nations to adjust to their new way of life. When the buffalo, a main food source, became scarce, the government ignored requests for hunting supplies. This led to tensions and old rivalries between different Indigenous groups like the Blackfoot, Plains Cree, and Sioux.

In 1880, Big Bear and Little Pine traveled south to hunt buffalo. They met with Louis Riel, a Métis leader, who helped them get permission to hunt on other Indigenous lands. However, this alliance broke apart when Canadian Indigenous people stole horses from American Indigenous groups, who were traditional enemies. After this, the U.S. government sent soldiers to take back the horses and equipment, and they started to limit border crossings.

During the North-West Rebellion in 1885, Poundmaker's and Little Pine's people left their reserves and went to Battleford to get supplies. Sadly, Chief Little Pine died shortly after these events. His people were scattered among different bands. In 1887, a reserve was surveyed for the remaining members of the Little Pine and Lucky Man bands. However, the land they received was not as much as they were promised in the treaty.

For a long time, the Little Pine First Nation faced unfair treatment regarding their land. But by 1997, the band began to buy back land and start new businesses. Today, the Little Pine First Nation continues to work on its right to self-government through its own laws, like the Government Act, the Lands and Resources Management Act, and the Election Act.

Modern Developments

The Little Pine First Nation has several projects and facilities today. These include the Little Pine First Nation Racetrack, a cattle business, and a gas and convenience store. They also have important community buildings like the Little Pine Health Clinic, the Elders’ Hall, the Chief Little Pine School, a band office, and the Little Pine Daycare. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) also has a small office on the reserve.

How Little Pine First Nation is Governed

The Little Pine First Nation is led by a Chief and a council. The current Chief, elected in 2021, is Donald Ironchild. The council members are Russell Bearsears, Matthew Frank, Lawrence Kennedy, Roland Pete, and Lisa Sapp.

The Chief and council are chosen through a special election system that the First Nation has developed for itself. They serve for four-year terms. The current leaders were elected on November 27, 2021, and their term will end on November 26, 2025.

Education in Little Pine

Chief Little Pine School

The Chief Little Pine School is a school for students from kindergarten to grade 12. It is located in Paynton, Saskatchewan. Besides regular classes, the school offers extra services like pre-kindergarten care, counseling, and even a math learning program called Mathletics. The school's goal is to help students learn while also embracing their culture and traditional values.

Treaty Six Education Council

The Little Pine First Nation is also part of the Treaty Six Education Council. This organization helps provide education services to eleven First Nations communities, serving over 3,000 students. Its main office is in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, which is in the heart of the Treaty 6 territory.

The Chief of each member First Nation acts as a director for the council and helps set the rules. Each First Nation also chooses a Trustee to represent their community on the board. For Little Pine, the Trustee is Adele Bear.

See also

• First Nations in Saskatchewan
• Division No. 13, Saskatchewan