Saulteaux First Nation facts for kids
The Saulteaux First Nation is a group of Anishinaabe Indigenous people in Canada. They are a self-governing community, much like a small town, with their own leaders and services. Their special lands, called reserves, are located near a place called Cochin, Saskatchewan. In February 2012, there were 1,225 people officially registered as members of the Saulteaux First Nation. About half of them, 604 people, lived on their own reserve lands.
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Saulteaux Reserves
The Saulteaux First Nation has set aside 40 different pieces of land for their reserves. These lands vary in size, from very small (about half an acre) to quite large (over 9,000 acres). All together, their reserves cover a total area of about 43,000 acres. The largest and most important of these lands is called Saulteaux Indian Reserve 159, which is over 9,000 acres in size. This is where most of the community's activities and homes are located.
How the Saulteaux First Nation is Governed
The Saulteaux First Nation chooses its leaders using a special system called the Custom Electoral System. This means they have their own rules for elections, which are based on their traditions and community needs.
Their current elected leaders are Chief Kenny Moccasin and five councillors: Jordan Gopher, Rebecca Gopher, Adam Houle, Dolphus Moccasin, and Gabriel Moccasin. These leaders work together to make decisions for their community.
Services Provided by the First Nation
The Saulteaux First Nation government provides many important services and buildings for its members. These include:
- A band office, which is like a town hall where official business is done.
- A band hall, used for community gatherings and events.
- A fire hall, to keep the community safe from fires.
- A school, for the children's education.
- A clinic, for healthcare needs.
- An arena, for sports and recreation.
- Other buildings needed to keep the community running smoothly.
Working with Other First Nations
The Saulteaux First Nation's council is also part of a larger group called the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs. This group includes other First Nations in the area. By working together, they can provide even more services and support to their communities.
The Saulteaux First Nation is also a member of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations. This is a political organization that represents many First Nations who signed Treaty 6 with the Canadian government a long time ago. Being part of this group helps them work on important issues that affect all Treaty Six First Nations.