Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation facts for kids

The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation is a large First Nation group in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. They are part of the Woodland Cree people. Their traditional name in Cree is Asinîskâwitiniwak, which means "Rocky".

This First Nation includes eight main communities. These are Denare Beach, Deschambault Lake, Kinoosao, Pelican Narrows, Prince Albert, Sandy Bay, Southend, and Sturgeon Landing. The main office for the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation is located in Pelican Narrows.

How the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation is Governed

The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation is led by a Chief and a group of Council members. These leaders are chosen by the community members in elections. They serve for three years at a time. The rules for these elections are set out in their own special Election Code.

In 2014, the community worked together to update their election rules. People from different communities shared their ideas. They used surveys and their website to gather everyone's thoughts. This helped make sure the new rules were fair and worked well for everyone. The community members voted on these new rules, and they were approved. This shows how important it is for the people to have a say in how their nation is run.

There are 14 elected Council members. Five of them come from Pelican Narrows. Southend, Sandy Bay, and Deschambault Lake each have two Council members. Denare Beach, Prince Albert, and Sturgeon Landing each have one Council member. The central government office for the First Nation is in Prince Albert.

Past Leaders of the Nation

Many important leaders have guided the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation over the years. Here are some of the people who have served as Chief:

• 2021-Present: Karen Bird
• 2013-2021: Peter A. Beatty
• 2007-2013: Darrell McCallum
• 2005-2007: Harold Linklater
• 2001-2005: Ronald Michel
• 1999-2001: Susan (Linklater)/ Custer
• 1985-1999: Ronald Michel
• 1979-1985: Joseph Custer
• 1975-1979: Phillip Morin
• 1973-1975: Albert Ratt
• 1971-1973: Arthur Morin
• 1969-1971: Simon Linklater
• 1958-1969: Peter Linklater
• 1956-1957: Simon Linklater
• 1954-1956: Vacant
• 1948-1954: Simon Linklater
• 1939-1948: Solomon Merasty
• 1930-1939: Joe Highway
• 1922-1930: Cornelius Ballantyne (Bear)
• 1911-1922: Peter Ballantyne

Lands and Reserves of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation

The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation has many special areas of land called reserves. These lands are set aside for the First Nation. Some of these reserves are:

• Amisk Lake 184 (amisko-sâkahikan in Cree)
• Amiskosakahikan 210 (amisko-sâkahikan)
• Birch Portage 184A (waskway-onikâhpihk)
• Chief Joseph Custer
• Chief Philip Morin 232
• Denare Beach (settlement) (mônahisôniyâwânihk)
• Deschambault Lake (settlement) (kimosôm pwâtinâhk)
• Kimosom Pwatinahk 203
• Kinoosao-Thomas Clark 204 (kinosêw)
• Kipahigan Sakahikan 222 (kipahikan-sâkahikan)
• Kiskaciwan 208 (kîskaciwân)
• Kistapinan 211 (kistapinân)
• Kistapinanihk 231 (kistapinânihk) - This is an urban reserve in Prince Albert.
• Manawanstawayak 230 (manâwânstawâyak)
• Maskikopawiscikosik 229 (maskihkiy-pâwiscikosihk)
• McKay 209
• Mirond Lake 184E
• Mistahi Wasahk 209 (mistahi wâsâhk)
• Mistik (mistik)
• Muskwaminiwatim 225 (maskwaminiwatim)
• Nakiskatowaneek 227 (nakiskâtowinihk)
• Nemekus Sakahikan 221 (nîmêkas-sâkahikan)
• Northern Lights 220 - This is also an urban reserve in Prince Albert.
• Pelican Narrows 184B (opâwahkosicikanihk)
• Pelican Narrows 206 (opâwahkosicikanihk)
• Pisiwiminiwatim 207 (pîsiminiwatim)
• Sandy Bay (settlement) (wâpaskokimâw)
• Sandy Narrows 184C
• Sokatisewin Sakahikan 224 (sîhkatisewin-sâkahikan)
• Southend 200 (wapâtikwaciwanohk)
• Southend 200A (wapâtikwaciwanohk)
• Sturgeon Landing (Settlement) (namêw-sîpiy)
• Sturgeon Weir 184F (namêw-sîpiy)
• Sturgeon Weir 205 (namêw-sîpiy)
• Thomas Morin
• Wapaskokimaw 202 (wâpaskokimâw)
• Waskwaynikapik 228 (waskway-onikâhpihk)
• Waskwiatik Sakahikan 223 (waskwayâhtik-sâkahikan)
• Woody Lake 184D

Notable People from the Nation

Many talented individuals from the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation have made important contributions to society. Here are a few of them:

• Rick Harp: He helped start the INDIGENA Creative Group. He also created and hosted shows for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). Rick also launched mediaINDIGENA.com, an online magazine for Indigenous news and art.
• Gary Merasty: From Pelican Narrows, he served as a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is a person elected to represent their area in the national government.
• Dr. Bonita Beatty: She is from Deschambault Lake and is a respected academic.
• Judge Gerald M. Morin: He was the first Cree-speaking Indigenous person to become a judge in Saskatchewan. This is a very important achievement.
• Cara Merasty: Also from Pelican Narrows, she was the first Cree-speaking female lawyer from the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation.