Mission, Vision and Values
MISSION
Protect, preserve, and exert our Treaty and Inherent Rights, reflect the Nêhiyaw Values and Tipi Teachings in everything we do, and work together to improve the quality of life of our people and community.
VISION
Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation is a safe, healthy, and prosperous community rooted in Nêhiyaw culture, traditions, and values: “Let us not think of ourselves, but of our children’s children”
VALUES
Respect – kistêyihtamowin – ᑭᐢᑌᔨᐦᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ
Protocol: age-appropriate conduct – ka-ispitisihk isîhcikêwin – ᑲ ᐃᐢᐱᑎᓯᕁ ᐃᓰᐦᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ
Humility – tapahtêyimisowin – ᑕᐸᐦᑌᔨᒥᓱᐃᐧᐣ
Sharing and Generosity – nikwatisiwin êkwa mâtinamâkêwin – ᓂᑲᐧᑎᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒫᑎᓇᒫᑫᐃᐧᐣ
Faith – tâpokêyihtamowin – ᑖᐳᑫᔨᐦᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ
Kindness – kisêwâtisiwin – ᑭᓭᐋᐧᑎᓯᐃᐧᐣ
Passing on teachings – âniskô-kiskinwahamâkêwin – ᐋᓂᐢᑰ ᑭᐢᑭᓇᐧᐦᐊᒫᑫᐃᐧᐣ
Protect, preserve, and exert our Treaty and Inherent Rights, reflect the Nêhiyaw Values and Tipi Teachings in everything we do, and work together to improve the quality of life of our people and community.
VISION
Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation is a safe, healthy, and prosperous community rooted in Nêhiyaw culture, traditions, and values: “Let us not think of ourselves, but of our children’s children”
VALUES
Respect – kistêyihtamowin – ᑭᐢᑌᔨᐦᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ
Protocol: age-appropriate conduct – ka-ispitisihk isîhcikêwin – ᑲ ᐃᐢᐱᑎᓯᕁ ᐃᓰᐦᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ
Humility – tapahtêyimisowin – ᑕᐸᐦᑌᔨᒥᓱᐃᐧᐣ
Sharing and Generosity – nikwatisiwin êkwa mâtinamâkêwin – ᓂᑲᐧᑎᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒫᑎᓇᒫᑫᐃᐧᐣ
Faith – tâpokêyihtamowin – ᑖᐳᑫᔨᐦᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ
Kindness – kisêwâtisiwin – ᑭᓭᐋᐧᑎᓯᐃᐧᐣ
Passing on teachings – âniskô-kiskinwahamâkêwin – ᐋᓂᐢᑰ ᑭᐢᑭᓇᐧᐦᐊᒫᑫᐃᐧᐣ
History behind the flag
The flag of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation was officially commissioned on September 15, 1994 and was designed by Willard Ahenakew, great, great grandson of Chief Ahtahkakoop. The flag design references the Cree name “Ahtahkakoop” which translated into English means Star Blanket. There are 276 stars representing the number of ancestors of the first Treaty 6 pay list of 1876, with 133 larger stars representing the men and women, and 143 stars representing the children. The Sun, Thunderbird, Medicine Staff and Buffalo represents important emblems of the Plains Cree culture. The night our namesake was born, it is said that the sky was unusually bright with many, many stars and thus he was given the name “Ahtahkakoop”.
Significance of the Four Emblems: The number four (4) is very significant to Plains Cree Culture. It represents the four directions, the four winds, the four seasons, the four stages of life of Baby, Youth, Adult and Elder, etc. Within the flag are the four most important emblems of Plains Cree Culture and these are:
Significance of the Four Emblems: The number four (4) is very significant to Plains Cree Culture. It represents the four directions, the four winds, the four seasons, the four stages of life of Baby, Youth, Adult and Elder, etc. Within the flag are the four most important emblems of Plains Cree Culture and these are:
The Sun
The Sun is depicted by the round yellow circle. The Plains Cree name is Kisikaw-Pisim. Its main being as “The Helper of the Creator” - interpretation to Cree is Kihc-Oskapewis. Giver of daylight,. Giver of Growth. Giver of Warmth. Giver of Life.
Chief Thunderbird
Chief Thunderbird is depicted by the yellow spread eagle. The Plains Cree name is Okimaw-Piyasiw. Helper of the Creator. Giver of cleanliness. Giver of Life. Giver of Water. Giver of Growth.
Old Man Wind
Old Man Wind is depicted by the Medicine Staff. The Plains Cree name is Kisenapew-Yotin. The “Helper of the Creator”. Giver of movement. Giver of life (lungs). Giver of Breath. Giver of Growth.
Old Man Buffalo
Old Man Buffalo is depicted by the buffalo images. The Plains Cree name is Kisenapew-Mostos. Giver of livelihood. Giver of Shelter (teepees). Giver of Food. Giver of Tools. The buffalo emblem also represents the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation as Plains Cree Buffalo Hunters.
AERIAL PHOTOS OF AHTAHKAKOOP CREE NATION
Photos by Lanny Ahenakew
