Pimicikamak facts for kids

Pimicikamak (say it: pim-ih-CHI-kuh-mak) is the name of one of the Cree-speaking Indigenous peoples in Canada. They are known as "a people of rivers and lakes." Their traditional home is around Sipiwesk Lake, deep in the boreal forest. This area is about 500 kilometres north of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The important Kichi Sipi, or "Great River," flows through their land. The traditional territory of Pimicikamak is also called Pimicikamak.

Pimicikamak is related to other Cree groups like the Swampy Cree and Rock Cree. However, they have their own unique culture and language. Over time, different names were used for Indigenous groups, which sometimes caused confusion. The identities and roles of Indigenous peoples in Canada are still being understood and made clear.

What Does Pimicikamak Mean?

The word pimicikamāk means "flowing across." Many people believe this is why the name of Cross Lake, which is in Pimicikamak territory, came to be. "Pimicikamak" is the name for the entire group of people. It is also the name for their traditional land.

Pimicikamak people call themselves Nahathaway (nīhithawī), meaning "those who speak our language," or ithiniwi, meaning "real people." They only used the name "Cree" when speaking English or French. For a long time, Canada tried to stop Indigenous languages and names from being used. This policy was very controversial. In 2008, Canada's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, apologized for this. The name "Pimicikamak" started being used in English by Cree speakers in the 1990s. Sometimes, people call them "the Cross Lake Band," but this can be confusing with the "Cross Lake First Nation."

Pimicikamak's Traditional Land

Indigenous peoples have a special way of understanding their land. It is different from how maps show countries or borders.

Pimicikamak's traditional territory includes the land where the upper Nelson River flows. This area is part of Canada's boreal forest, also known as the taiga. Like other Indigenous peoples, Pimicikamak believes their spiritual connection to the land is a key part of who they are. Historically, efforts were made to change Indigenous spirituality through Christian missions. This was seen as a way to make people fit into new ways of life and land boundaries. Today, Canadian law still recognizes the special connection Indigenous peoples have with their traditional lands.

A Look at Pimicikamak's History

Stories passed down by Pimicikamak elders say that their people have existed since the beginning of time. Experts who study ancient cultures and sites believe Indigenous people lived in Pimicikamak territory after the last ice age, sometime before 4000 B.C.E..

European records of the area go back to at least 1768. A map from that year showed Pemichicomo Lake in a region called Rupert's Land. In 1770, Thomas Hutchins listed the Pemmichi-ke-mè-u people as trading with Hudson Bay. The famous explorer David Thompson spent a winter on Sipiwesk Lake in 1792. Peter Fidler mapped the upper Nelson River through Pimicikamak in 1809.

Pimicikamak signed Treaty 5 with the Crown (the Canadian government) in 1875. Later, in 1977, they were part of an agreement to deal with how the Nelson River Hydroelectric Project affected their Treaty 5 rights.

How Pimicikamak Governs Itself

Like other Indigenous peoples in Turtle Island (a name for North America in many Indigenous languages), Pimicikamak was first guided by spiritual laws. These laws were shared through stories and shown in their ceremonies and traditions. They helped the Pimicikamak people survive in a challenging environment.

Treaty 5, signed in 1875 by the British Crown and three Pimicikamak representatives, changed some of these traditional laws. Pimicikamak is a self-governing group. In 1996, they created their First Written Law. This was the start of updating their constitution for modern times. Since the 1990s, Pimicikamak has made other written laws in English. These include laws about who is a citizen and how elections are held. These laws are based on consensus, meaning everyone agrees.

The Winnipeg Treaty: Treaty 5

In 1875, the Canadian government decided to make treaties with peoples east and west of Lake Winnipeg. In September 1875, treaty officials Alexander Morris and James McKay traveled to Lake Winnipeg. They went to make a treaty whose terms were mostly decided beforehand.

At Norway House, the officials found two groups of Indigenous people: the Christian Indians of Norway House and the Wood or Pagan Indians of Cross Lake. The Cross Lake group was represented by Tepastenam. Pimicikamak convinced the officials to include them in Treaty 5, which was signed on September 24, 1875. Treaty rights belong to the whole community, not just individuals.

Other Agreements with the Crown

Pimicikamak and the government of Manitoba both see an agreement from December 16, 1977, with Canada and Manitoba Hydro as a modern-day treaty. Pimicikamak also views a document signed on May 8, 1998, by representatives of Canada, Manitoba, and Manitoba Hydro as a treaty.

Pimicikamak's Flag

Pimicikamak also has its own national flag.

The national flag of Pimicikamak.

Pimicikamak's Laws

Like other ancient Indigenous peoples, Pimicikamak has many oral customary laws. These are laws passed down by word of mouth through generations. Since 1995, Pimicikamak has also created several written laws based on their customs.

How Pimicikamak's Government Works

Pimicikamak has four councils, but its government is closely linked to the people themselves. It has strong elements of direct democracy, where people have a direct say. Their First Written Law states that new customary laws must be accepted by consensus (everyone agreeing) at a general meeting of the Pimicikamak public.

National plans and decisions are made by consensus of the Four Councils. The Executive Council is in charge of putting these national plans into action.

Traditional Ways of Governing

Oral history from elders in the 1990s tells us that in traditional Pimicikamak government, the people were like four fires. These fires were:

• Kiseyak Otabiwinik (where the Elders sit)
• Iskweyanak (the women)
• Opimbatawuk (the runners, or youth)
• Okaniskoteyawuk (the hunters and warriors; meaning, the keepers of the gate)

The first two of these, the Elders and Women's Councils, continued through the 20th century. The Council of Elders may have been influenced by practices from the Midewiwin society of the neighboring Ojibwe people. The Elders' oral history was the source of Pimicikamak's traditional laws. The Women's Council managed family and community life during winter and summer gatherings.

The Women's Council

Historically, women in Cree societies had a higher status than women in European societies at the time. Cree women had a lot of freedom, which surprised European men who married Indigenous women. In the Pimicikamak worldview, women are connected to water, life, the direction west, and the color red. Some believe the Women's Council is the most important of the Pimicikamak councils. This is because all members of the councils received the gift of life from women, starting the circle of life. Because of their historical importance, the Women's Council has key roles in Pimicikamak government. This includes controlling elections and having a veto power over written laws.

The Council of Elders

Traditionally, elders were seen as the law-givers or wise people of Pimicikamak. They held the wisdom that helped the Pimicikamak people survive. Following this traditional role, the Council of Elders must approve written laws by consensus. In recent times, the effects of the residential school system may have made this role more difficult.

The Youth Council

The Youth Council took on important responsibilities in the 1990s. It is seen as a traditional council, playing a role in the community's governance.

Pimicikamak Communities

The largest community in Pimicikamak is Cross Lake. It is now connected to the western part of their traditional territory by the Kichi Sipi Bridge. Thicket Portage, Pikwitonei, and Wabowden are also mostly Pimicikamak communities. They are located in the west and north of Pimicikamak's traditional territory. Other Canadian residents living in these areas also have rights under Treaty 5.