Native North American Nations in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba

A descendant of Mohawk Nation and trained in anthropology, Patty has researched and reported on indigenous peoples for over four decades.

Dog Child, a North West Mounted Police Scout, and wife, The Only Handsome Woman; Blackfoot Nation, Gleichen, Alberta:1890

Although the regions of Canada that are most highly populated by Native North Americans called First Nations are the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, other Canadian provinces and territories are home to additional nations, bands, communities, and other types of small groups of native peoples.

All of these groups of people are interesting, having fascinating cultural aspects to share with the rest of the world. Since the 2010 Winter Olympics on Vancouver, the Four Host First Nations spotlighted the first equal partnership between Indigenous Peoples and non-natives in the Olympic Games and other major events in Canada. Previously, tribes were used as cultural demonstration groups for arts and dances. Now, the tribes and nations of Canada have become more visible in the media and more regarded as business people.

Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba Provinces are the backdrop for numerous bands of Sioux, Cree and other nations among Native North Americans.

Central Canada

The youngest school children in the United States may be under the false impression that Native North Americans are confined to the lower 48 US States and the "Eskimo" - actually Inuit and related peoples - to Alaska or even the North Pole, but this all is an unfortunate misunderstanding. These same children are surprised to see "cowboys and Indians" in pictures of Alberta!

In the several times I have visited British Columbia, I have learned that many BC college students have also not been fully aware of native peoples living in Alberta next door, because Canada is such a large country. First Nations histories have not been of prime importance in university degree studies in the past.

Since the Four Host First Nations operated the Vancouver Winter Olympics and Paralympics in partnership with other nationalities, a greater emphasis has been placed on First Nations studies, formally and informally around the country of Canada. Even before 2010, some Canadian universities were offering special studies in native cultures and this has continued, increased, and highlighted preservation of native languages as well.

Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba Provinces are the backdrop for numerous bands of Sioux, Cree and other nations among Native North Americans.

Cree Moved Back and Forth Across the Canadian - US Border

Cree and Cree Related Nations in Central Canada

This list of Native North American groupings represents over 200,000 individual persons that are registered with the Cree First Nation in Canada - largely in Alberta, but also extending into Saskatchewan and Manitoba provinces.

Additional resources are listed at the end of this group of Canadian Cree listings. They include pages related to the well known Cree folk singer/song writer, Buffy Stainte-Marie.

• Little Red River Cree Nation, Alberta
• Bigstone Cree Nation, Alberta
• Samson Cree Nation, Alberta
• Woodland Cree First Nation, Alberta
• Tataskweyak (Split Lake) First Nation, Manitoba
• York Factory First Nation, Manitoba
• Norway House Cree Nation, Manitoba
• Peguis First Nation, Manitoba -- www.peguisfirstnation.ca/
• Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba
• Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan
• Lucky Man Cree Nation, Saskatchewan
• The Plains Cree is a subgroup of the larger Cree Nation and are known as Paskwawininiwug in Alberta and Saskatchewan

Additional Resources:

• Cree Nation Magazine -- Published by the James Bay Cree.
• Hill 57 Indians -- History of the Chippewa Cree branch of Rocky Boy's Reservation Indians living on Hill 57 in Great Falls Montana
• Buffy Sainte-Marie -- Home page for Buffy; biography, art gallery, discography, etc.
• The Cradleboard Teaching Project -- Buffy Sainte-Marie's current full time project. Native American curriculum and cross cultural exchange raises self esteem.

Sioux Ghost Dance: 1894

Blackfoot, Sioux and Other Nations

Assiniboin and Stoney groups are located in both Alberta and Saskatchewan.

The Blackfoot Confederacy includes the Blackfoot/Siksika in Alberta, the Blood/Kainah in Alberta and the Piegan, Piikani, and Pikuni in Alberta Province.

Note: Head-Smashed-In is a hillside bison-killing site or buffalo jump located in SW Alberta Province. The place is a tradition that has been used by the Blackfoot Confederacy nations for over 9,000 years, judging from the age of spearpoints found on site. The Minnesota State University at Mankota previously maintained an e-museum featuring this information, but ended that online program.

The Plains Ojibway are a subgroup of the Ojibway or Ojibwe Nation and include Plains Objibway, Plaines Chippewa, Bunji, and Saulteux peoples in Manitoba and Saskatchewan Provinces.

The Sarcee include Sarci and Tsuu T'ina peoples in Alberta.

The Sioux Nation is widespread in Canada and the USA. In Canada it comprises

1. Santee Sioux, including the Dakota and the Eastern Sioux in Manitoba and Saskatchewan,
2. Teton Sioux, including the Lakota, the Titonwan, and the Western Sioux in Saskatchewan, and
3. Yanktonai Sioux, including the Nakota and the Middle Sioux in both Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Knowing the Ojibwe - Research in Northern Minnesota.

More About First Nations In Western and Central Canada

• How Canadian First Nations Discovered America
  Circumpolar Peoples migrated from Northern Europe and Asia many years ago the Bering Straight land bridge and across into Canada. From there, the Americas were populated.
• Aboriginal Peoples of Canada's Yukon Territory
  Several First Nations or Native North American groups have been living in the Canadian Yukon for many centuries. See what they are doing now!

© 2007 Patty Inglish MS

Comments

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on June 04, 2014:

@SilviaS - You had a prophetic dream of some sort, I think. I am happy to met you on this thread.

SilviaS on June 04, 2014:

one day, many years ago, after a friend told a supposed Lakota short tale I woke up with this name in my head, Saskatchewan. I don't recall having heardthat name before. It was so strange to me that I never forgot it, yet I didn't have a clue about it. Now that I find your hub I'm very surprised. I had no idea there was a Canadian state called Saskatchewan and that Lakota people lived there. Thank you.

raindell bruno on May 04, 2012:

very very nice

Mark Monroe from Dover De on August 03, 2010:

Nicely done and informative

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on February 03, 2008:

I'm glad you like the Hubs I'm writing William. Thanks very much for reading and commenting.

William F Torpey from South Valley Stream, N.Y. on February 03, 2008:

Good work, Patty. You keep writing; I keep learning. Thanks.

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on November 28, 2007:

Thanks MrMarmalade.  I remember when I was 8 yrs old, I had a large book on Native Americans in the US, with lots of pictures too. I wore it out until it fell completely apart. :)

MrMarmalade from Sydney on November 27, 2007:

When I was small and I commenced reading I loved wild wild west and the Indians that roamed.

Great history lesson

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on November 27, 2007:

I am so glad you both are enjoying these Native American Hubs! Three is plenty more to follow... :)

gabriella05 from Oldham on November 27, 2007:

Another great hub enjoyed thanks

Zsuzsy Bee from Ontario/Canada on November 27, 2007:

Patty!

As always lots of good information.

GreatHUB

regards Zsuzsy