Ermineskin Cree Nation
Ermineskin Cree Nation also known as the Ermineskin Tribe, is a Cree First Nations band government in Alberta, Canada. A signatory to Treaty 6, Ermineskin is one of the Four Nations of Maskwacis, Alberta's largest Indigenous community.
As of 2019, there are 4,879 registered Ermineskin Cree, of which 3,290 were living on reserve.
Name
The First Nation took its name from Ermineskin Kosikosowayano also known as Baptiste Piche), Chief of the Bear Hills Cree. He was the son of Peechee, Chief of the Asini Wachi Nehiyawak and later head chief of the Rocky Mountain Cree and also brother-in-law of Poundmaker, Chief of the River Cree, who became Chief of the Bear Hills Cree after the death of their father Louie Piche also known as Pisu) who was the chief of the Rocky Cree and became later head chief of the Western Cree and soon after head chief of all the groups of the Upstream People.Indian reserves
The Ermineskin Cree Nation's two reserves total about 22,512 hectares and lived in an area around Pigeon Lake and the Bear Hills. Therefore, they were called Maskwa Wachi-is Ininiwak, Maskwacheesihk Wiyiniwak or Amiskwacīwiyiniwak, meaning 'Bear Hills Cree'. While the Ermineskin traditional territory includes the reserve lands, the reserve was formally established in 1885. The land houses substantial oil and gas deposits, agricultural land, and waterfront access to Pigeon Lake. The Canadian Pacific Kansas City railway runs through the reserve.The two reserves are:
- Ermineskin Indian Reserve No. 138, 10295.8 ha.
- Pigeon Lake Indian Reserve No. 138A, 1921 ha.