Bigstone Cree Nation
Encyclopedia
The Bigstone Cree Nation is a First Nation in Alberta
, Canada
. As Woodland Cree, they are a western branch of the larger Cree
Nation.
With lands adjacent to four lakes (North Wabasca, South Wabasca, Sandy, and Calling) in northern Alberta
's boreal forest, the First Nation is rich in fishing and wild game.
In 2005, there were 5,874 registered
Bigstone Cree, of which 2,247 were living on reserve
.
The Bigstone Cree have six reserves established in northern Alberta, for a total of 21,066.6 hectares. These include 166 A, 166 B, 166 C, 166 D, all in the vicinity of the Hamlet of Wabasca (also known as Wabasca-Desmarais), 166 south of the Hamlet of Sandy Lake
, and Jean Baptiste Gambler Reserve 183 surrounded by the Hamlet of Calling Lake.
All of these reserves are surrounded by the Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17.
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. As Woodland Cree, they are a western branch of the larger Cree
Cree
The Cree are one of the largest groups of First Nations / Native Americans in North America, with 200,000 members living in Canada. In Canada, the major proportion of Cree live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, although...
Nation.
With lands adjacent to four lakes (North Wabasca, South Wabasca, Sandy, and Calling) in northern Alberta
Northern Alberta
Northern Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta.Its primary industry is oil and gas, with large heavy oil reserves being exploited at the Athabasca Oil Sands and Wabasca Area in the east of the region...
's boreal forest, the First Nation is rich in fishing and wild game.
In 2005, there were 5,874 registered
Indian Register
The Indian Register is the official record of Status Indians or Registered Indians in Canada. Status Indians have rights and benefits that are not granted to unregistered Indians, Inuit, or Métis, the chief benefits of which include the granting of reserves and of rights associated with them, an...
Bigstone Cree, of which 2,247 were living on reserve
Indian reserve
In Canada, an Indian reserve is specified by the Indian Act as a "tract of land, the legal title to which is vested in Her Majesty, that has been set apart by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of a band." The Act also specifies that land reserved for the use and benefit of a band which is not...
.
The Bigstone Cree have six reserves established in northern Alberta, for a total of 21,066.6 hectares. These include 166 A, 166 B, 166 C, 166 D, all in the vicinity of the Hamlet of Wabasca (also known as Wabasca-Desmarais), 166 south of the Hamlet of Sandy Lake
Sandy Lake, Alberta
Sandy Lake, also known as Pelican Mountain, is a hamlet in Alberta, Canada within the Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17. It is located on Highway 813, between Calling Lake and Wabasca. It has an elevation of ....
, and Jean Baptiste Gambler Reserve 183 surrounded by the Hamlet of Calling Lake.
All of these reserves are surrounded by the Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17.
Annual events
The Bigstone Cree First Nation host the annual Treaty Days Festivities in August of each year, celebrating their culture, language and achievements.See also
- First Nations in AlbertaFirst Nations in AlbertaFirst Nations in Alberta constitute several dozen nations. Reserves of these First Nations were established in Alberta by a series of treaties, Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and Treaty 8....
- List of Indian reserves in Alberta
- List of First Nations peoples
- Indian ActIndian ActThe Indian Act , R.S., 1951, c. I-5, is a Canadian statute that concerns registered Indians, their bands, and the system of Indian reserves...
- List of Aboriginal communities in Canada