Woodland Cree
Encyclopedia
The Woodland Cree or the Sakāwithiniwak (also recorded as "Saka Wi Iniwak", "Sakau Wiyiniwak", etc. meaning "People of the Woodland"; literally "Mixed People of the Woodland), calling themselves Nīhithawak, comprises the largest Amerindian group in northern Alberta
. They are Algonquian
linguistic stock. Prior to the 18th century, their territory was around Hudson Bay
as far north as Churchill
and east of James Bay
to Lac Mistassini. Although their western boundary was uncertain, they had ventured into Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba
by the 18th century as middlemen, trading with western tribes. After acquiring guns through trade, they greatly expanded their territory and drove other tribes further west and north. A large group of Cree
moved south onto the western prairies and adapted to a plains lifestyle, forming a close alliance with the Assiniboine (Stoney) tribe.
Their lodges varied in materials depending upon where they lived. In the southern areas they lived in birch-bark wigwam
s, and further north, where birch was more stunted, they used coverings of pine boughs and caribou hide over conical structures. There was a clear division of labour among men and women. The men hunted, fished, made canoes, sledges, hunting tools and weapons of war. The women foraged, snared rabbits and other small mammals, tanned hides, cut firewood, made snowshoes, pitched tents, hauled wood, wove fish nets, and made clothing adorned with quill- and bead-work. Coats and blankets were made from woven hare skin or soft caribou fur. In the spring and autumn the Woodland Cree hunted ducks and geese, and ptarmigan in the winter. Like many other tribes that depended upon showshoe hares for food and clothing, they were affected by the periodic decline in populations, especially in the ninth and tenth years when hares almost altogether disappeared. Winter was a particularly difficult time for the Woodland Cree, as it was with all woodland groups, even in fairly recent times.
The Woodland Cree were one of the first nations
to trade with European
fur trade
rs, as early as the 17th century. They became very closely associated with the fur trade and adapted their clothing and many aspects of their lifestyle and culture to European ways. Considered excellent hunters and trappers, they provided meat and pemmican
to the fur trade posts and furs, either directly, or indirectly from trade with other tribes. Marriages or alliances between Cree women and fur traders became an essential link in fur trade negotiations. Because families were on the move most of the time, women in childbirth often had their babies on the trail.
The offspring of this alliance formed the basis of a new nation of people, the Métis
, or "half-breed", who adopted the lifestyle of their mother's people or of Europeans and received education in order to become clerks and traders for the North West
and Hudson's Bay Companies
. By 1800, the Cree were well established in Alberta
, from Athabasca-Peace delta in the north, along the Peace River and south as far as the Saskatchewan River
.
Woodland Cree use legends to convey stories throughout time. Many legends are about aspects of the environment, such as "How the raven stole the sun" and "Deawitchita and the fire rock." It is said that those who tell the legends have the most ikanisha, which means wisdom in woodland cree.
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...
. They are Algonquian
Algonquian languages
The Algonquian languages also Algonkian) are a subfamily of Native American languages which includes most of the languages in the Algic language family. The name of the Algonquian language family is distinguished from the orthographically similar Algonquin dialect of the Ojibwe language, which is a...
linguistic stock. Prior to the 18th century, their territory was around Hudson Bay
Hudson Bay
Hudson Bay , sometimes called Hudson's Bay, is a large body of saltwater in northeastern Canada. It drains a very large area, about , that includes parts of Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta, most of Manitoba, southeastern Nunavut, as well as parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota,...
as far north as Churchill
Churchill, Manitoba
Churchill is a town on the shore of Hudson Bay in Manitoba, Canada. It is most famous for the many polar bears that move toward the shore from inland in the autumn, leading to the nickname "Polar Bear Capital of the World" that has helped its growing tourism industry.-History:A variety of nomadic...
and east of James Bay
James Bay
James Bay is a large body of water on the southern end of Hudson Bay in Canada. Both bodies of water extend from the Arctic Ocean. James Bay borders the provinces of Quebec and Ontario; islands within the bay are part of Nunavut...
to Lac Mistassini. Although their western boundary was uncertain, they had ventured into Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
by the 18th century as middlemen, trading with western tribes. After acquiring guns through trade, they greatly expanded their territory and drove other tribes further west and north. A large group of 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...
moved south onto the western prairies and adapted to a plains lifestyle, forming a close alliance with the Assiniboine (Stoney) tribe.
Their lodges varied in materials depending upon where they lived. In the southern areas they lived in birch-bark wigwam
Wigwam
A wigwam or wickiup is a domed room dwelling used by certain Native American tribes. The term wickiup is generally used to label these kinds of dwellings in American Southwest and West. Wigwam is usually applied to these structures in the American Northeast...
s, and further north, where birch was more stunted, they used coverings of pine boughs and caribou hide over conical structures. There was a clear division of labour among men and women. The men hunted, fished, made canoes, sledges, hunting tools and weapons of war. The women foraged, snared rabbits and other small mammals, tanned hides, cut firewood, made snowshoes, pitched tents, hauled wood, wove fish nets, and made clothing adorned with quill- and bead-work. Coats and blankets were made from woven hare skin or soft caribou fur. In the spring and autumn the Woodland Cree hunted ducks and geese, and ptarmigan in the winter. Like many other tribes that depended upon showshoe hares for food and clothing, they were affected by the periodic decline in populations, especially in the ninth and tenth years when hares almost altogether disappeared. Winter was a particularly difficult time for the Woodland Cree, as it was with all woodland groups, even in fairly recent times.
The Woodland Cree were one of the first nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
to trade with European
European ethnic groups
The ethnic groups in Europe are the various ethnic groups that reside in the nations of Europe. European ethnology is the field of anthropology focusing on Europe....
fur trade
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
rs, as early as the 17th century. They became very closely associated with the fur trade and adapted their clothing and many aspects of their lifestyle and culture to European ways. Considered excellent hunters and trappers, they provided meat and pemmican
Pemmican
Pemmican is a concentrated mixture of fat and protein used as a nutritious food. The word comes from the Cree word pimîhkân, which itself is derived from the word pimî, "fat, grease". It was invented by the native peoples of North America...
to the fur trade posts and furs, either directly, or indirectly from trade with other tribes. Marriages or alliances between Cree women and fur traders became an essential link in fur trade negotiations. Because families were on the move most of the time, women in childbirth often had their babies on the trail.
The offspring of this alliance formed the basis of a new nation of people, the Métis
Métis
A Métis is a person born to parents who belong to different groups defined by visible physical differences, regarded as racial, or the descendant of such persons. The term is of French origin, and also is a cognate of mestizo in Spanish, mestiço in Portuguese, and mestee in English...
, or "half-breed", who adopted the lifestyle of their mother's people or of Europeans and received education in order to become clerks and traders for the North West
North West Company
The North West Company was a fur trading business headquartered in Montreal from 1779 to 1821. It competed with increasing success against the Hudson's Bay Company in what was to become Western Canada...
and Hudson's Bay Companies
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
. By 1800, the Cree were well established in Alberta
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...
, from Athabasca-Peace delta in the north, along the Peace River and south as far as the Saskatchewan River
Saskatchewan River
The Saskatchewan River is a major river in Canada, approximately long, flowing roughly eastward across Saskatchewan and Manitoba to empty into Lake Winnipeg...
.
Woodland Cree use legends to convey stories throughout time. Many legends are about aspects of the environment, such as "How the raven stole the sun" and "Deawitchita and the fire rock." It is said that those who tell the legends have the most ikanisha, which means wisdom in woodland cree.
Woodland Cree historical groups
- Rocky Cree or Asinīskāwiyiniwak ("People of the rocky [land]") or Asinīwaciwiyiniwak ("Asini Wachi Wi Iniwak", "Aseniwuche Winewak"; "People who live along the Rocky Mountains"), including groups of AssiniboineAssiniboineThe Assiniboines or Assiniboins , also known as the Hohe and known by the endonym Nakota , are a Siouan Native American/First Nations people originally from the Northern Great Plains of the United States and Canada...
, IroquoisIroquoisThe Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
, Danezaa, SekaniSekaniSekani is the name of an Athabaskan First Nations people in the Northern Interior of British Columbia. Their territory includes the Finlay and Parsnip River drainages of the Rocky Mountain Trench. The neighbors of the Sekani are the Babine to the west, Dakelh to the south, Dunneza to the east, and...
, Ojibwe and SecwepemcSecwepemcThe Secwepemc , known in English as the Shuswap people, are a First Nations people residing in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Their traditional territory ranges from the eastern Chilcotin Plateau and the Cariboo Plateau southeast through the Thompson Country to Kamloops and the Shuswap...
)- Rocky Cree / Mountain Cree (Asini Wachi Nīhithawī, Cree groups of the Asini Wachi Wi Iniwak, forerunners of todays Lac La Ronge First NationLac La Ronge First NationLocated in north-central Saskatchewan, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band is the largest First Nation in Saskatchewan, and one of the 10 largest in Canada, with a 2010 population of 8,954....
,, Peter Ballantyne Cree NationPeter Ballantyne Cree NationPeter Ballantyne Cree Nation is a Cree First Nations group in northern Saskatchewan consisting of eight communities: Amisk Lake, Deschambeault Lake, Kinoosao, Pelican Narrows, Prince Albert, Sandy Bay, Southend and Sturgeon Landing...
and Montreal Lake Cree Nation) - Asini Pwat-sak (Ye Xa Ya Bine Nakoda or Hebina Assiniboine, Assiniboine groups of the Asini Wachi Wi Iniwak, also known as Strong Wood or Thickwood Assiniboine, including Métis, Secwepemc, Kutenai, and Plains Cree, western groups are forerunners of todays Stoney Nakoda Nation, comprising the Wesley's (Goodstoney's), Chiniki and Bearspaw First NationBearspaw First NationThe Bearspaw First Nation is a First Nations government or band of the Nakoda people.In November 2010, a dispute arose when the chief of the band, David Bearspaw, cancelled a forthcoming election and extended his term by two years, prompting a protest blockade of the Eden Valley 216 reserve by...
s) - Cross Lake Cree (Pimicikamāk - ‘flowing across’, Pimicikamak Iniwak, Pimicikamāk Nīhithawī - ‘People of the Lake that lies Athwart’, also Nikikonakos - ‘Otter People’, lived at the shores of Cross LakeCross Lake (Manitoba)Cross Lake is a lake in Manitoba on the Nelson River north of Lake Winnipeg. It is long and narrow and extends at least 40 miles east-northeast. The Nelson enters and leaves on the west side. The Minago River enters on the west. From the Minago a portage led to Moose Lake and the Saskatchewan...
and at the watershed of the Upper Nelson RiverNelson RiverThe Nelson River is a river of north-central North America, in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Its full length is , it has mean discharge of , and has a drainage basin of , of which is in the United States...
, north of today WinnipegWinnipegWinnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba, including Mistowaiau-Wininiwuk - ‘Winnepeg People’ of the Plains Ojibwe and Assiniboine, forerunners of todays Cross Lake First NationCross Lake First NationCross Lake First Nation is a band of Cree First Nations people in Canada governed under the Indian Act. Its members occupy several reserves within the town of Cross Lake situated on the east shore of Cross Lake in the province of Manitoba...
and Pimicikamak Cree NationPimicikamakPimicikamak is the name of one of the Cree-speaking aboriginal peoples of Canada. Pimicikamak is "a people of rivers and lakes. The traditional territory of Pimicikamak is around Sipiwesk Lake in the heart of the boreal forest, five hundred kilometres north of Winnipeg, Manitoba...
, also known as ‘Cross Lake Band’, therefore oft confused with the ‘Cross Lake First Nation’, the Nikikonakos - ‘Otter People’)
- Rocky Cree / Mountain Cree (Asini Wachi Nīhithawī, Cree groups of the Asini Wachi Wi Iniwak, forerunners of todays Lac La Ronge First Nation
- Woods Cree / Bush Cree or Sakāwithini(wak) ("Woods-people") or Sakā-Nīhithawīk ("Woods Cree") (including groups of Assiniboine, Iroquois, Chipewyan, Danezaa, SlaveySlaveyThe Slavey are a First Nations aboriginal people of the Dene group, indigenous to the Great Slave Lake region, in Canada's Northwest Territories, and extending into northeastern British Columbia and northwestern Alberta....
, SaulteauxSaulteauxThe Saulteaux are a First Nation in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, Canada.-Ethnic classification:The Saulteaux are a branch of the Ojibwe nations. They are sometimes also called Anihšināpē . Saulteaux is a French term meaning "people of the rapids," referring to...
, forerunners of todays Alexander First NationAlexander First NationAlexander First Nation is a First Nation government , headquartered in Morinville, Alberta. This First Nation is part of the Cree ethno-linguistic group, is a member of the Yellowhead Tribal Development Foundation , and is party to Treaty Six. The band controls three Indian reserves: Alexander...
, Whitefish Lake First Nation #128, West Moberly First NationsWest Moberly First NationsThe West Moberly First Nations is a First Nation located in the Peace River Country in northern British Columbia. They are part of the Danezaa people and language group...
, Saulteau First Nations, Fort Nelson First Nation, Blueberry River First Nations, Fort McMurray First NationFort McMurray First NationFort McMurray First Nation is a Cree and Chipewyan nation located near Fort McMurray, Alberta. It is a member of the Athabasca Tribal Council and a Treaty 8 nation....
, Fort McKay First Nation)- Lesser Slave Lake Cree (forerunners of todays of Bigstone Cree NationBigstone Cree NationThe 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 in northern Alberta's boreal forest, the First Nation is rich in fishing and wild game.In 2005, there were 5,874 registered...
, Peerless Trout First Nation, Driftpile First NationDriftpile First NationThe Driftpile First Nation is a First Nation with a reserve located on the southern shore of the Lesser Slave Lake in Northern Alberta. The band has approximately 1200 members....
, Kapawe’no First NationKapawe'no First Nations Lands 150Kapawe'no First Nations Lands 150 is an Indian reserve in Alberta.-References:...
, Sawridge First NationSawridge 150Sawridge 150 is an Indian reserve in Alberta. It is located northwest of Edmonton. It is at an elevation of .-References:...
, Sucker Creek Cree First NationSucker Creek Cree First NationSucker Creek Cree First Nation is a Cree nation located along the shore of Lesser Slave Lake near Enilda, Alberta. It is a Treaty 8 nation.-Notable members:*Harold Cardinal*Linsay Willier*Lorne Cardinal...
, Swan River First Nation) - Athabasca Lake Cree or Āyapāskāwiyiniwak ("Ayabaska Wi Iniwak", "Athapiscow-wiyiniwak", along the shores of Lake AthabascaLake AthabascaLake Athabasca is located in the northwest corner of Saskatchewan and the northeast corner of Alberta between 58° and 60° N.-History:The name in the Dene language originally referred only to the large delta formed by the confluence the Athabasca River at the southwest corner of the lake...
, north of Lesser Slave LakeLesser Slave LakeLesser Slave Lake is a lake located in central Alberta, Canada, northwest of Edmonton. It is the second largest lake entirely within Alberta boundaries , covering and measuring over long and at its widest point. Lesser Slave Lake averages in depth and is at its deepest...
, between the Wabasca RiverWabasca RiverWabasca River is a river in northern Alberta, Canada. It is a major tributary of the Peace River.It has a total drainage area of .-Course:...
and Peace RiverPeace River (Canada)The Peace River is a river in Canada that originates in the Rocky Mountains of northern British Columbia and flows to the northeast through northern Alberta. The Peace River flows into the Slave River, a tributary of the Mackenzie River. The Mackenzie is the 12th longest river in the world,...
, forerunners of todays of Bigstone Cree First Nation, Lubicon Lake Nation, Tallcree First Nation, Little Red River Cree First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation and Woodland Cree First NationWoodland Cree First NationThe Woodland Cree First Nation is a First Nation in Alberta, Canada adjacent to the Cadotte Lake in Northern Sunrise County northeast of the Town of Peace River. The hamlet of Cadotte Lake is located within the reserve....
) - Woodland / Bush Assiniboine (in CreeCree languageCree is an Algonquian language spoken by approximately 117,000 people across Canada, from the Northwest Territories and Alberta to Labrador, making it the aboriginal language with the highest number of speakers in Canada. It is also spoken in the U.S. state of Montana...
: Saka Pwat-sak, Saka Wi Pwacak, Sakbwatsûk - ‘Assiniboines of the Woodland’, derived from Saka - ‘Wood’, Asini Pwat-sak - ‘Stone Sioux (‘Enemy’) i.e. Assiniboine’, Assiniboine groups of the Saka Wi Iniwak, including Woodland Cree, MétisMétis people (Canada)The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
, Danezaa, and Iroquois, western groups are forerunners of todays Alexis Nakota Sioux First NationAlexis Nakota Sioux First NationThe Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation no. 437 is a Nakoda First Nation which reserves near Edmonton, Hinton, and Whitecourt, in the Canadian province of Alberta, and headquartered at 54° N and 114°, about west of Edmonton...
and Paul First NationPaul BandThe Paul First Nation, more commonly known as the Paul Band, is a First Nation community or band based in Wabamun, Alberta of mixed Cree and Nakota origin. They are party to Treaty Six and had the Buck Lake Indian Reserve 133C and Wabamun Lake Indian Reserve 133A, 133B and 133C allocated to them...
) - Beaver Lake Cree (Amisk Sakahikan Wi Iniwak - ‘People of the Beaver Lake’, lived along the shores of Beaver LakeBeaver Lake (Alberta)Beaver Lake is a lake in Alberta, Canada. It is located just southeast of the hamlet of Lac La Biche, Alberta. It is the source of Beaver River ....
and Lac La Biche, forerunners of todays Beaver Lake First Nation) - Beaver River Cree (Amisk Sipi Wi Iniwak, Amisksipiwiyiniwak - ‘People of the Beaver River’, lived along the Beaver RiverBeaver River (Canada)Beaver River is a large river in east-central Alberta and central Saskatchewan, Canada.Beaver River has a catchment area of 14,500 km2 in Alberta, where it drains the lake system in Lac La Biche County...
, which originates in the Lac La Biche Lake, and enters in the Churchill RiverChurchill River (Hudson Bay)The Churchill River is a major river in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada. From the head of the Churchill Lake it is 1,609 km long. It was named after John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough and governor of the Hudson's Bay Company from 1685 to 1691...
) - Saki Ta-wa Ininiwak (Sakitawa Wi Iniwak, ‘People of the place where the rivers flow out/meet’, the name for the Île-à-la-CrosseÎle-à-la-CrosseÎle-à-la-Crosse is the second oldest community in Saskatchewan, Canada, being established in 1846 as a Roman Catholic mission by Alexandre-Antonin Taché, but as a fur trading post in 1779 by the Hudson's Bay Company. It has a rich history being connected to the Churchill River, Beaver River and...
,lived between the Beaver River and Île-à-la-Crosse, including many MétisMétis people (Canada)The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
, forerunners of todays Canoe Lake Cree Nation) - Nelson River or North River Cree (Nisichawayasihk - ‘Place, where three rivers meet’, lived from the Upper Nelson RiverNelson RiverThe Nelson River is a river of north-central North America, in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Its full length is , it has mean discharge of , and has a drainage basin of , of which is in the United States...
west towards the Sturgeon-Weir RiverSturgeon-Weir RiverThe Sturgeon-Weir River is a river in east-central Saskatchewan, Canada. It flows about 110 miles south-southeast to join the Saskatchewan River at Cumberland House, Saskatchewan. It was on the main voyageur route from eastern Canada northeast to the Mackenzie River basin. Its steep gradient led...
), forerunners of todays Nisichawayasihk Cree NationNisichawayasihk Cree NationThe Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation is a Cree-speaking community of about 4,200 Cree centered in Nelson House, Manitoba, Canada. Nelson House is located about 80 km west of Thompson and is accessible via the mixed paved and gravel Provincial Road 391...
and O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree NationO-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree NationThe O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation is a community of about 1,100 Cree centered in the Southern Indian Lake community of Manitoba, Canada. It is located on the shores of Southern Indian Lake, about 130 km north of the city of Thompson....
)
- Lesser Slave Lake Cree (forerunners of todays of Bigstone Cree Nation
See also
- CreeCreeThe 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...
- List of Indian reserves in Saskatchewan
- 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....