Peeaysees First Nation facts for kids

The Peeaysees Band (also known as the Lac la Biche Band no. 129) was a group of Indigenous people, mainly Woodland Cree and Métis, who lived near Lac La Biche, Alberta. Their leader, Chief Peeaysees, signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876. This treaty was an agreement between First Nations and the Canadian government. The band received yearly payments, called annuities, until 1885. At that time, many members were removed from the treaty because they were involved in the North-West Rebellion. After 1911, the band was no longer officially recognized.

History of the Peeaysees Band

Chief Peeaysees, along with his advisors Mahchahmewis and Isaac Cardinal, signed Treaty 6 on September 9, 1876. This signing took place at Fort Pitt. The Peeaysees Band's traditional lands were located around Lac La Biche. The Cree people historically called this area Wâwâskesiwisâkahikan, which means Elk Lake.

Joining the North-West Resistance

In the years after Treaty 6 was signed, many First Nations bands felt angry and let down by the government. They believed the government was not being honest and was neglecting them. There wasn't enough support, resources, or food, which left many bands struggling with hunger. In 1883, several Chiefs from Treaty 6 wrote a letter to Sir John A. Macdonald, who was Canada's prime minister. They shared their complaints and frustrations.

After many broken promises, in the spring of 1885, groups of First Nations, Métis, and Half-Breed people began a resistance against the government. This event is known as the North-West Rebellion. In April 1885, Chief Peeaysees and members of his band, also feeling let down by the government's broken promises, traveled to Battle River. They joined Chief Big Bear in the resistance.

After the Resistance and Treaty Changes

After the resistance ended in 1885, Hayter Reed, an assistant Indian Commissioner, created a plan for big changes to how Treaty First Nations were managed.

Some of Reed's ideas included:

• Ending the traditional systems of bands who had resisted.
• Stopping annuity payments to individuals or bands involved in the resistance.
• Creating a "Pass System" where people needed special permission to leave their reserve.
• Removing all Métis and Half-Breed members from treaty lists, even if they hadn't actively fought.

Because of their involvement in the North-West Rebellion, the Peeaysees Band's payments and resources were cut off by Indian Affairs. Many band members were forced to leave the treaty. This happened due to their involvement in the resistance, lack of food, and not having reserve lands. Hayter Reed also encouraged Indian agents to convince families to leave the treaty. This was done to save money for Indian Affairs.

After leaving the treaty, many Peeaysees band members became eligible for Half-Breed scrip. This was a form of land or money given to Métis people. In this way, many Peeaysees band members lost their rights to reserve lands and their treaty status. They became Métis overnight. This method of removing bands from treaties was not only used for the Peeaysees Band. It also happened to the Passpasschase, Michel Band, and other First Nations bands both inside and outside Treaty 6.

Population Changes

At one point, the Peeaysees Band had over 300 members. However, by 1890, the band had shrunk to only 15 members. After 1911, there was no longer any mention of the Lac La Biche Band no. 129 (formerly Peeaysees) in the Department of Indian Affairs reports. The remaining band members either passed away, left the treaty, or moved to another band. With no members left, the Lac La Biche Band no. 129 officially ceased to exist.

Reserve Lands

In 1881, the band's reserve lands were planned to be at the southern end of Big Bay in Lac La Biche. Treaty 6 stated that every family of five living on a reserve would receive one square mile of land. Smaller families would get land based on their size. In 1879, the band's population was over 300 members, with about 30 families. The Peeaysees Band's reserve should have been between 10,000 and 20,000 acres. However, Indian Affairs never actually provided these reserve lands.

In 1999, descendants of the band started a land claim against the Canadian government.

Chief Peeaysees

Chief Peeaysees, also known as Francois Desjarlais, was born in 1824 near Beaver River. He was the son of Okimaskwew and Lizette Muskegon, a Swampy Cree woman. He had 10 children, though one died as a baby. Peeaysees was the Chief of his band for nine years after signing Treaty 6. After he participated in the North-West Rebellion, Indian Affairs did a survey of the Peeaysees Band. Their notes said, "Chief hiding, fearing justice." Peeaysees was suspicious of the forgiveness offered after the resistance leader Louis Riel was executed. He fled south and never returned to Lac La Biche. In the winter of 1899, former Chief Peeaysees passed away quietly in Battleford, Saskatchewan.