Mathias Colomb First Nation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mathias Colomb First Nation
Pukatawagan
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 Mathias Colomb First Nation
Location in Manitoba
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| Country | Canada | ||||||||||||||||||
| Province | Manitoba | ||||||||||||||||||
| Government | |||||||||||||||||||
| • Type | First Nations Council | ||||||||||||||||||
| Area | |||||||||||||||||||
| • Land | 18.3 km2 (7.1 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Population
(2016)
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1,724 | ||||||||||||||||||
| • Density | 94.2/km2 (244/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Time zone | UTC−06:00 (CST) | ||||||||||||||||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−05:00 (CDT) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Postal code span |
R0B 1G0
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| Area code(s) | 204 | ||||||||||||||||||
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The Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (MCCN) is also known as Mathias Colomb First Nation or Pukatawagan/Mathias Colomb Cree Nation. Its name in the Cree language is Cree: ᐸᑲᑕᐚᑲᐣ, pukatawâkan. This is a remote First Nations community located in northern Manitoba, Canada.
The community is about 210 kilometers (130 miles) north of The Pas. It is also about 819 kilometers (509 miles) northwest of Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba.
The Mathias Colomb Cree Nation has one main reserve called Pukatawagan 198. This reserve is part of Treaty 6. It covers about 15.37 square kilometers (5.93 square miles) and is located on the shore of Pukatawagan Lake. Another reserve, Highrock Reserve, was dissolved by 2006.
Contents
Who Lives Here?
In 2016, the population of Pukatawagan 198 was 1,724 people. Most of these people, 1,680, were registered or Treaty Indians.
The First Nations people living here include the Cree, Ojibway, Saulteaux, and Sioux. Besides English, people in the community also speak Cree-Montagnais languages and the Ojibway language.
A Look Back: History of the Nation
The people of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation are mostly descendants of the Cree people. These Indigenous groups have lived in the Canadian Shield region for about 10,000 years. They are known as Rocky Cree or Minnisippi Cree. Minnisippi means 'large body of water' in their language.
The Mathias Colomb Cree Nation was once part of the Pelican Narrows band in Saskatchewan. In 1910, they separated and formed their own band. They first settled along the Churchill River, which they call Missinipe (meaning 'big water').
The Canadian government officially recognized the Mathias Colomb Indian band as a separate reserve in 1911. Mathias Colomb was the first chief of the reserve. He served as chief until he passed away in 1932.
In 1926, a place called Ayamihi Sippi (Prayer River) was surveyed as a reserve. However, a fire destroyed the Prayer River community in the late 1960s. This forced the band to move to the Pukatawagan reserve.
The Swampy Cree Tribal Council works with the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation. This council helps support First Nations communities in the region.
Homes and Living Conditions
In 2016, there were 384 private homes in the community. In the past, there have been challenges with housing. For example, in 2007, visitors learned that many people shared small houses.
A diesel spill in the 1970s caused problems in the town center. This spill damaged many buildings, including the band hall, nursing station, school, and about 100 houses. This made living conditions difficult for a long time.
In 2013, a United Nations expert visited the community. He noted that Indigenous people in Canada often face harder living conditions than others. Many homes need repairs, are crowded, or have mold.
Land Rights and Agreements
In May 1997, the Mathias Colomb First Nation and 18 other First Nations signed an agreement. This agreement was with the Government of Canada and the province of Manitoba. It was about fulfilling promises made in treaties signed between 1871 and 1910. These promises included providing land for the First Nations.
Getting Around: Transportation
The Pukatawagan Airport is located near the town. Missinippi Airways, which is owned by the community, offers flights. These flights include regular trips, charters, and medical flights.
A temporary winter road connects Kississing Lake to Pukatawagan. This road is usually open for about three months each year, depending on the weather.
Like many remote northern communities, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation does not have an all-weather road. This means it's harder and more expensive to bring in goods. Studies have looked into building an all-weather road from Provincial Trunk Highway 10 (PTH 10) to Pukatawagan.
Rail Travel
The Hudson Bay Railway (HBRY) began operating in 1997. This railway uses old lines that connect to The Pas, Flin Flon, and Lynn Lake. It also has a branch that serves the Pukatawagan First Nations area.
Community Services
The Sakastew primary/secondary school is run by the community. About 550 students attend this school each year. Around 600 students go to school outside the reserve.
Pukatawagan has a nursing station for health care. There is also a child and family services agency office. The Mathias Colomb First Nation Health Authority works with the Cree Nation Tribal Health Centre. This center provides health services that are important to the First Nations culture.
Growing the Economy
Missinippi Airways, also known as Beaver Air Services Limited Partnership, is fully owned by Indigenous people. It runs regular flights between The Pas and Pukatawagan.
In 1988, the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation also started the Missinippi Construction Company Ltd. This company is also 100% Indigenous-owned.
People in the community also hunt and fish for food. Some also do trapping and commercial fishing to support themselves.
