Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation is a 17,347.30-hectare reserve located 72 km northwest of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
The Cree people, nehiyawak,of Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation belong to the larger Cree Nation. The Cree traditional territory spans from Alberta to Quebec, as well as portions of the Plains region in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Over many, many generations the Cree, nehiyaw, developed and maintained a complex social and political structure. The nehiyaw had their own systems within their Traditional Territory. There were rules and codes of conduct that governed relationships between families, relatives and other bands within the Nation, as well as other Nations. Each band was autonomous and had its own governance structure. This structured societal and political system allowed for tribal and inter-tribal negotiations to take place.
The Government of Canada created the numbered treaties to pursue settlement in the affected regions, which include modern-day Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories. These treaties were promises made to the indigenous people in trade for large tracts of land.
Leaders such as Starblanket, Mistawasis, Big Bear, Sweetgrass and Piapot were the leaders and spokesmen of the Plains Cree at the time of the Treaties.
The Cree people, nehiyawak,of Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation belong to the larger Cree Nation. The Cree traditional territory spans from Alberta to Quebec, as well as portions of the Plains region in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Over many, many generations the Cree, nehiyaw, developed and maintained a complex social and political structure. The nehiyaw had their own systems within their Traditional Territory. There were rules and codes of conduct that governed relationships between families, relatives and other bands within the Nation, as well as other Nations. Each band was autonomous and had its own governance structure. This structured societal and political system allowed for tribal and inter-tribal negotiations to take place.
The Government of Canada created the numbered treaties to pursue settlement in the affected regions, which include modern-day Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories. These treaties were promises made to the indigenous people in trade for large tracts of land.
Leaders such as Starblanket, Mistawasis, Big Bear, Sweetgrass and Piapot were the leaders and spokesmen of the Plains Cree at the time of the Treaties.
“Can we stop the power of the white man from spreading over the land like the grasshoppers that cloud the sky and then fall to consume every blade of grass and every leaf on the trees in their path? I think not. Before this happens let us ponder carefully our choice of roads."
-Plains Cree Chief Ahtahkakoop (Star Blanket), as quoted by interpreter Peter Erasmus at the Treaty 6 negotiations at Fort Carleton in 1876.
-Plains Cree Chief Ahtahkakoop (Star Blanket), as quoted by interpreter Peter Erasmus at the Treaty 6 negotiations at Fort Carleton in 1876.
On August 23rd, 1876, Treaty Six was signed in Fort Carlton by Chief Ahtahkakoop and Chief Mistawasis. The band became a Section 11 band under the Indian Act.
Chief Ahtahkakoop (ᐊᑖᐦᑲᑯᐦᑊ atâhkakohp, Starblanket) had wished to have a reserve adjoining Mistawasis on the Green Lake Trail at Sandy Lake, as his people already had houses and gardens there.
First Nations understood they would receive assistance to the transition of a new lifestyle, maintenance of their cultural and spiritual rights, right to hunt, trap, and fish, education, medical assistance, reserve land, agricultural tools and support, and peaceful co-existence with the newcomers. The text of the Treaty states:
The first church was built in 1874, and Reverend Hines started the first school in 1876.
The reserve was surveyed in the summer and fall of 1878. When the survey was complete, the reserve was neither in the location nor of the size that had been advised to the surveyors.
The people of Ahtahkakoop learned farming techniques and cared for livestock which allowed them to be successful in the local economy. They worked hard to have a prosperous livelihood after restrictions were imposed on them by the Crown and residential schools were introduced.
Chief Ahtahkakoop died on December 4, 1896, and Basil Starblanket became chief.
Chief Ahtahkakoop (ᐊᑖᐦᑲᑯᐦᑊ atâhkakohp, Starblanket) had wished to have a reserve adjoining Mistawasis on the Green Lake Trail at Sandy Lake, as his people already had houses and gardens there.
First Nations understood they would receive assistance to the transition of a new lifestyle, maintenance of their cultural and spiritual rights, right to hunt, trap, and fish, education, medical assistance, reserve land, agricultural tools and support, and peaceful co-existence with the newcomers. The text of the Treaty states:
- Reserve land in the amount of one square mile per family of five;
- An annual cash payment at a rate of $25 per Chief, $15 per headman and $5 for all other band members, and a one time present of $12 for each member of the band who agreed to the Treaty;
- Twine and ammunition at a value of $1500 per year;
- For each band and family certain agricultural implements such as hoes, spades, livestock, horse, and wagon;
- A school once the people settled on a reserve;
- The right to pursue hunting, trapping, and fishing;
- A medicine chest to be kept at the house of the Indian agent on each reserve;
- Rations were to be given in times of pestilence and famine;
- During the first three years after Treaty was taken, First nations who had settled on reserves and were farming were to receive $1000 in agricultural provisions. (Dodson21)
The first church was built in 1874, and Reverend Hines started the first school in 1876.
The reserve was surveyed in the summer and fall of 1878. When the survey was complete, the reserve was neither in the location nor of the size that had been advised to the surveyors.
The people of Ahtahkakoop learned farming techniques and cared for livestock which allowed them to be successful in the local economy. They worked hard to have a prosperous livelihood after restrictions were imposed on them by the Crown and residential schools were introduced.
Chief Ahtahkakoop died on December 4, 1896, and Basil Starblanket became chief.
Past Chiefs:
- Basil Starblanket (Hereditary Chief) 1896-1913
- Allan Ahenakew 1913-1953 / 1955-1958
- Lance Ahenakew 1953- 1955 / 1972-1974
- Paul Ahenakew 1958-1972 / 1974-1979
- Fred Sasakamoose 1980-1983
- Barry Ahenakew 1983-1990 / 1992-2005
- Clifford Ahenakew 1990 - 1992
- Larry Ahenakew 2005-Present (Current Council Term: June 18th, 2021 – June 17th, 2025)
The band's infrastructure includes; Band Office and Sub-Office, Band Hall, R.CM.P Station, R.C.M.P residences, Ahtahkakoop elementary/high school, Christian Academy, Daycare, Headstart, Education Warehouse, Health Centre, Ahtahkakoop Child and Family Services, Social Development, Employment and Training, Homeless Shelter, the Firehall, Waste Management Station, Water Treatment Plant, Public Works Warehouse, Cree Nations Treatment Haven, Anglican Church, Pentacostal Church, Ahtahkakoop General Store, Tire Shop and the Fred Sasakamoose Rec Centre.
ēkāwīya māmitoyimsohtahk māka otē nīkan kitcāwasimināwak o-cāwasimisowawa
“Let us not think of ourselves, but of our children’s children”
“Let us not think of ourselves, but of our children’s children”