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The Cree ( cr, néhinaw, script=Latn, , etc.; french: link=no, Cri) are a North American Indigenous people. They live primarily in Canada, where they form one of the country's largest First Nations. In Canada, over 350,000 people are Cree or have Cree ancestry. The major proportion of Cree in Canada live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the
Northwest Territories The Northwest Territories (abbreviated ''NT'' or ''NWT''; french: Territoires du Nord-Ouest, formerly ''North-Western Territory'' and ''North-West Territories'' and namely shortened as ''Northwest Territory'') is a federal territory of Canada. ...
. About 27,000 live in Quebec. In the United States, Cree people historically lived from Lake Superior westward. Today, they live mostly in Montana, where they share the
Rocky Boy Indian Reservation Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation (also known as Rocky Boy Reservation) is one of seven Native American reservations in the U.S. state of Montana. Established by an act of Congress on September 7, 1916, it was named after ''Ahsiniiwin'' ( Stone Ch ...
with Ojibwe (Chippewa) people. The documented westward migration over time has been strongly associated with their roles as traders and hunters in the
North American fur trade The North American fur trade is the commercial trade in furs in North America. Various Indigenous peoples of the Americas traded furs with other tribes during the pre-Columbian era. Europeans started their participation in the North American fur ...
.


Sub-groups / Geography

The Cree are generally divided into eight groups based on dialect and region. These divisions do not necessarily represent ethnic sub-divisions within the larger ethnic group: *'' Naskapi'' and '' Montagnais'' (together known as the ''
Innu The Innu / Ilnu ("man", "person") or Innut / Innuat / Ilnuatsh ("people"), formerly called Montagnais from the French colonial period ( French for "mountain people", English pronunciation: ), are the Indigenous inhabitants of territory in the ...
'') are inhabitants of an area they refer to as '' Nitassinan''. Their territories comprise most of the present-day political jurisdictions of eastern Quebec and Labrador. Their cultures are differentiated, as some of the Naskapi are still
caribou Reindeer (in North American English, known as caribou if wild and ''reindeer'' if domesticated) are deer in the genus ''Rangifer''. For the last few decades, reindeer were assigned to one species, ''Rangifer tarandus'', with about 10 subspe ...
hunters and more nomadic than many of the Montagnais. The Montagnais have more settlements. The total population of the two groups in 2003 was about 18,000 people, of which 15,000 lived in Quebec. Their dialects and languages are the most distinct from the Cree spoken by the groups west of Lake Superior. *''
Atikamekw The Atikamekw are the Indigenous inhabitants of the subnational country or territory they call ('Our Land'), in the upper Saint-Maurice River valley of Quebec (about north of Montreal), Canada. Their current population is around 8,000. One o ...
'' are inhabitants of the area they refer to as '' Nitaskinan'' (Our Land), in the upper St. Maurice River valley of Quebec (about north of Montreal). Their population is around 8,000. * East Cree
Grand Council of the Crees The Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) or the GCC(EI) (ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᐊᔅᒌ in Cree), is the political body that represents the approximately 18,000 Cree people (who call themselves "Eeyou" or "Eenou" in the various dialects of East ...
; approximately 18,000 Cree ( in Coastal Dialect / in Inland Dialect) of
Eeyou Istchee Eeyou Istchee , crj, ᐄᔨᔫ ᐊᔅᒌ or , all meaning 'The People's Land'; ) is a territory equivalent to a regional county municipality (TE) of Quebec that is represented by the Grand Council of the Crees. On July 24, 2012, the Quebec ...
and
Nunavik Nunavik (; ; iu, ᓄᓇᕕᒃ) comprises the northern third of the province of Quebec, part of the Nord-du-Québec region and nearly coterminous with Kativik. Covering a land area of north of the 55th parallel, it is the homeland of the I ...
regions of Northern Quebec. *
Moose Cree Moose Cree (Cree: ''Mōsonī'' or ''Ililiw''), also known as Moosonee, and together with Eastern Swampy Cree, also known as Central Cree, West James Bay Cree or West Main Cree. They speak the l-dialect of the Cree language. The Moose Cree were fi ...
Moose Factory in the Northeastern Ontario; this group lives on Moose Factory Island, near the mouth of the Moose River, at the southern end of James Bay. ("Factory" used to refer to a trading post.) * Swampy Cree – this group lives in northern Manitoba along the
Hudson Bay Hudson Bay ( crj, text=ᐐᓂᐯᒄ, translit=Wînipekw; crl, text=ᐐᓂᐹᒄ, translit=Wînipâkw; iu, text=ᑲᖏᖅᓱᐊᓗᒃ ᐃᓗᐊ, translit=Kangiqsualuk ilua or iu, text=ᑕᓯᐅᔭᕐᔪᐊᖅ, translit=Tasiujarjuaq; french: b ...
coast and adjacent inland areas to the south and west, and in Ontario along the coast of Hudson Bay and James Bay. Some also live in eastern Saskatchewan around Cumberland House. Their dialect has 4,500 speakers. * Woodland Cree and Rocky Cree – a group in northern Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. *
Plains Cree Plains Cree may refer to: * Plains Cree language * Plains Cree people Plains Indians or Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies are the Native American tribes and First Nation band governments who have historically liv ...
– a total of 34,000 people in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Montana. Due to the many dialects of the
Cree language Cree (also known as Cree– Montagnais–Naskapi) is a dialect continuum of Algonquian languages spoken by approximately 117,000 people across Canada, from the Northwest Territories to Alberta to Labrador. If considered one language, it is th ...
, the people have no modern collective autonym. The Plains Cree and Attikamekw refer to themselves using modern forms of the historical , namely and , respectively. Moose Cree, East Cree, Naskapi, and Montagnais all refer to themselves using modern dialectal forms of the historical , meaning 'man.' Moose Cree use the form , coastal East Cree and Naskapi use (variously spelled , , and ), inland East Cree use (variously spelled and ), and Montagnais use and , depending on dialect. The Cree use "Cree," "cri," "Naskapi, or "montagnais" to refer to their people only when speaking French or English.


Political aboriginal organization


Historical

As
hunter-gatherer A traditional hunter-gatherer or forager is a human living an ancestrally derived lifestyle in which most or all food is obtained by foraging, that is, by gathering food from local sources, especially edible wild plants but also insects, fungi, ...
s, the basic unit of organization for Cree peoples was the ''lodge'', a group of perhaps eight or a dozen people, usually the families of two separate but related married couples, who lived together in the same wigwam (domed tent) or tipi (conical tent), and the '' band'', a group of lodges who moved and hunted together. In the case of disagreement, lodges could leave bands and bands could be formed and dissolved with relative ease. However, as there is safety in numbers, all families would want to be part of some band, and banishment was considered a very serious punishment. Bands would usually have strong ties to their neighbours through intermarriage and would assemble together at different parts of the year to hunt and socialize together. Besides these regional gatherings, there was no higher-level formal structure, and decisions of war and peace were made by consensus with allied bands meeting together in council. People could be identified by their ''
clan A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, clans may claim descent from founding member or apical ancestor. Clans, in indigenous societies, tend to be endogamous, meaning ...
'', which is a group of people claiming descent from the same common ancestor; each clan would have a representative and a vote in all important councils held by the band (compare: Anishinaabe clan system). Each band remained independent of each other. However, Cree-speaking bands tended to work together and with their neighbours against outside enemies. Those Cree who moved onto the
Great Plains The Great Plains (french: Grandes Plaines), sometimes simply "the Plains", is a broad expanse of flatland in North America. It is located west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains, much of it covered in prairie, steppe, an ...
and adopted bison hunting, called the Plains Cree, were allied with the Assiniboine, the Metis Nation, and the Saulteaux in what was known as the " Iron Confederacy", which was a major force in the
North American fur trade The North American fur trade is the commercial trade in furs in North America. Various Indigenous peoples of the Americas traded furs with other tribes during the pre-Columbian era. Europeans started their participation in the North American fur ...
from the 1730s to the 1870s. The Cree and the Assiniboine were important intermediaries in the Indian trading networks on the northern plains. When a band went to war, they would nominate a temporary military commander, called a . loosely translated as "war chief". This office was different from that of the "peace chief", a leader who had a role more like that of diplomat. In the run-up to the 1885
North-West Rebellion The North-West Rebellion (french: Rébellion du Nord-Ouest), also known as the North-West Resistance, was a resistance by the Métis people under Louis Riel and an associated uprising by First Nations Cree and Assiniboine of the District of S ...
,
Big Bear Big Bear, also known as ( cr, ᒥᐢᑕᐦᐃᒪᐢᑿ; – 17 January 1888Mistahimaskwa
...
was the leader of his band, but once the fighting started Wandering Spirit became war leader.


Contemporary

There have been several attempts to create a national political organization that would represent all Cree peoples, at least as far back as a 1994 gathering at the Opaskwayak Cree First Nation reserve.


Name

The name "Cree" is derived from the Algonkian-language exonym , which the
Ojibwa The Ojibwe, Ojibwa, Chippewa, or Saulteaux are an Anishinaabe people in what is currently southern Canada, the northern Midwestern United States, and Northern Plains. According to the U.S. census, in the United States Ojibwe people are one of ...
used for tribes around
Hudson Bay Hudson Bay ( crj, text=ᐐᓂᐯᒄ, translit=Wînipekw; crl, text=ᐐᓂᐹᒄ, translit=Wînipâkw; iu, text=ᑲᖏᖅᓱᐊᓗᒃ ᐃᓗᐊ, translit=Kangiqsualuk ilua or iu, text=ᑕᓯᐅᔭᕐᔪᐊᖅ, translit=Tasiujarjuaq; french: b ...
. The French colonists and explorers, who spelled the term , , , , and , used the term for numerous tribes which they encountered north of Lake Superior, in Manitoba, and west of there. The French used these terms to refer to various groups of peoples in Canada, some of which are now better distinguished as Severn Anishinaabe (Ojibwa), who speak dialects different from the Algonquin. Depending on the community, the Cree may call themselves by the following names: the , and ; or , or . These names are derived from the historical autonym (of uncertain meaning) or from the historical autonym (meaning "person"). Cree using the latter autonym tend to be those living in the territories of Quebec and Labrador.


Language

The Cree language (also known in the most broad classification as Cree-Montagnais, Cree-Montagnais-Naskapi, to show the groups included within it) is the name for a group of closely related Algonquian languages, the mother tongue (i.e. language first learned and still understood) of approximately 96,000 people, and the language most often spoken at home of about 65,000 people across Canada, from the
Northwest Territories The Northwest Territories (abbreviated ''NT'' or ''NWT''; french: Territoires du Nord-Ouest, formerly ''North-Western Territory'' and ''North-West Territories'' and namely shortened as ''Northwest Territory'') is a federal territory of Canada. ...
to Labrador. It is the most widely spoken aboriginal language in Canada. The only region where Cree has official status is in the Northwest Territories, together with eight other aboriginal languages. The two major groups: Nehiyaw and Innu, speak a mutually intelligible Cree dialect continuum, which can be divided by many criteria. In a dialect continuum, "It is not so much a language, as a chain of dialects, where speakers from one community can very easily understand their neighbours, but a Plains Cree speaker from Alberta would find a Quebec Cree speaker difficult to speak to without practice." One major division between the groups is that the Eastern group palatalizes the sound to either (c) or to (č) when it precedes
front vowel A front vowel is a class of vowel sounds used in some spoken languages, its defining characteristic being that the highest point of the tongue is positioned as far forward as possible in the mouth without creating a constriction that would otherw ...
s. There is also a major difference in grammatical vocabulary (particles) between the groups. Within both groups, another set of variations has arisen around the pronunciation of the
Proto-Algonquian Proto-Algonquian (commonly abbreviated PA) is the proto-language from which the various Algonquian languages are descended. It is generally estimated to have been spoken around 2,500 to 3,000 years ago, but there is less agreement on where it was ...
phoneme ''*l'', which can be realized as or (th) by different groups. Yet in other dialects, the distinction between (ē) and (ī) has been lost, merging to the latter. In more western dialects, the distinction between and (š) has been lost, both merging to the former. "Cree is a not a typologically harmonic language. Cree has both prefixes and suffixes, both prepositions and postpositions, and both prenominal and postnominal modifiers (e.g. demonstratives can appear in both positions)." Golla counts Cree dialects as eight of 55 North American languages that have more than 1,000 speakers and which are being actively acquired by children.


Identity and ethnicity


In Canada

The Cree are the largest group of First Nations in Canada, with 220,000 members and 135 registered bands. Together, their reserve lands are the largest of any First Nations group in the country. The largest Cree band and the second largest First Nations Band in Canada after the Six Nations Iroquois is the Lac La Ronge Band in northern Saskatchewan. Given the traditional Cree acceptance of mixed marriages, it is acknowledged by academics that all bands are ultimately of mixed heritage and multilingualism and multiculturalism was the norm. In the West, mixed bands of Cree, Saulteaux and Assiniboine, all partners in the Iron Confederacy, are the norm. However, in recent years, as indigenous languages have declined across western Canada where there were once three languages spoken on a given reserve, there may now only be one. This has led to a simplification of identity, and it has become "fashionable" for bands in many parts of Saskatchewan to identify as "Plains Cree" at the expense of a mixed Cree-Salteaux history. There is also a tendency for bands to recategorize themselves as "Plains Cree" instead of Woods Cree or Swampy Cree. Neal McLeod argues this is partly due to the dominant culture's fascination with Plains Indian culture as well as the greater degree of written
standardization Standardization or standardisation is the process of implementing and developing technical standards based on the consensus of different parties that include firms, users, interest groups, standards organizations and governments. Standardization ...
and prestige Plains Cree enjoys over other Cree dialects. The
Métis The Métis ( ; Canadian ) are Indigenous peoples who inhabit Canada's three Prairie Provinces, as well as parts of British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and the Northern United States. They have a shared history and culture which derives ...
(from the French, – of mixed ancestry) are people of mixed ancestry, such as Cree (or Anishinaabe) and French, English, or
Scottish Scottish usually refers to something of, from, or related to Scotland, including: *Scottish Gaelic, a Celtic Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family native to Scotland *Scottish English *Scottish national identity, the Scottish ide ...
heritage. According to Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, the Métis were historically the children of French fur traders and Cree women or, from unions of English or Scottish traders and northern Dene women ( Anglo-Métis). The Métis National Council defines a Métis as "a person who self-identifies as Métis, is distinct from other Aboriginal peoples, is of historic Métis Nation Ancestry and who is accepted by the Métis Nation". File:Group of Crees (HS85-10-27756).jpg, Group of Cree people File:Merasty women and girls - Cree - The Pas Manitoba 1942.jpg, Merasty women and girls, Cree, The Pas, Manitoba, 1942 File:Chief King of the Wind (HS85-10-27755).jpg,
Chief Chief may refer to: Title or rank Military and law enforcement * Chief master sergeant, the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force * Chief of police, the head of a police department * Chief of the boa ...
King of the Wind File:Chief Thundercloud (HS85-10-27757).jpg,
Chief Chief may refer to: Title or rank Military and law enforcement * Chief master sergeant, the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force * Chief of police, the head of a police department * Chief of the boa ...
Thundercloud File:Chief Duckhunter (HS85-10-27759).jpg,
Chief Chief may refer to: Title or rank Military and law enforcement * Chief master sergeant, the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force * Chief of police, the head of a police department * Chief of the boa ...
Duckhunter File:Edward S. Curtis Collection People 095.jpg, Cree girl (1928) File:Woman of the Snake tribe and woman of the Cree tribe 0066v.jpg, alt=, Illustration of a Snake woman (left) and a Cree woman (right), c. 1840–1843, Karl Bodmer


In the United States

At one time the Cree lived in northern Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana. Today, American Cree are enrolled in the federally recognized Chippewa Cree tribe, located on the
Rocky Boy Indian Reservation Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation (also known as Rocky Boy Reservation) is one of seven Native American reservations in the U.S. state of Montana. Established by an act of Congress on September 7, 1916, it was named after ''Ahsiniiwin'' ( Stone Ch ...
, and in minority as "Landless Cree" on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and as "Landless Cree" and "Rocky Boy Cree" on the
Fort Belknap Indian Reservation The Fort Belknap Indian Reservation ( ats, ’ak3ɔ́ɔyɔ́ɔ, lit=the fence or ats, ’ɔ’ɔ́ɔ́ɔ́nííítaan’ɔ, lit=Gros Ventre tribe, label=none) is shared by two Native American tribes, the A'aninin (Gros Ventre) and the Nakoda ...
, all in Montana. The Chippewa Cree share the reservation with the Pembina Band of Chippewa Indians, who form the "Chippewa" (
Ojibwa The Ojibwe, Ojibwa, Chippewa, or Saulteaux are an Anishinaabe people in what is currently southern Canada, the northern Midwestern United States, and Northern Plains. According to the U.S. census, in the United States Ojibwe people are one of ...
) half of the Chippewa Cree tribe. On the other Reservations, the Cree minority share the Reservation with the Assiniboine, Gros Ventre and
Sioux The Sioux or Oceti Sakowin (; Dakota language, Dakota: Help:IPA, /otʃʰeːtʰi ʃakoːwĩ/) are groups of Native Americans in the United States, Native American tribes and First Nations in Canada, First Nations peoples in North America. The ...
tribes. Traditionally, the southern limits of the Cree territory in Montana were the Missouri River and the Milk River.


First contact

In Manitoba, the Cree were first contacted by Europeans in 1682, at the mouth of the Nelson and Hayes rivers by a Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) party traveling about inland. In the south, contact was later. In 1732 in what is now northwestern Ontario, Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Vérendrye, met with an assembled group of 200 Cree warriors near present-day
Fort Frances Fort Frances is a town in, and the seat of, Rainy River District in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. The population as of the 2016 census was 7,739. Fort Frances is a popular fishing destination. It hosts the annual Fort Frances Canadian Bass Cham ...
, as well as with the Monsoni, (a branch of the Ojibwe). Both groups had donned war paint in preparation to an attack on the Dakota and another group of Ojibwe. After acquiring firearms from the HBC, the Cree moved as traders into the plains, acting as middlemen with the HBC.


First Nation communities


Naskapi

The Naskapi are the Innu First Nations inhabiting a region of northeastern Quebec and Labrador, Canada. The Naskapi are traditionally nomadic peoples, in contrast with the territorial Montagnais, the other segment of Innu. The Naskapi language and culture is quite different from the Montagnais, in which the dialect changes from y to n as in "Iiyuu" versus "Innu". is the Innu dialect spoken by the Naskapi. Today, the Naskapi are settled into two communities: Kawawachikamach Quebec and
Natuashish Natuashish is an Innu community in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The community is inhabited by the Mushuau Innu First Nation. Natuashish became a federal Indian reserve in 2003. Natuashish (Little Sango Pond) was establ ...
, Newfoundland and Labrador. The
Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach ( nsk, script=Cans, ᓇᔅᑲᐱ ᐃᔪᒡ ᐅᑕ ᑲᐛᐛᒋᑲᒪᒡ, translit=Naskapi Iyuch Uta Kawâwâchikamach, french: links=no, Nation Naskapi de Kawawachikamach) is a First Nation band government in Que ...
is located in the Naskapi village of Kawawachikamach, northeast of
Schefferville Schefferville is a town in the Canadian province of Quebec. Schefferville is in the heart of the Naskapi and Innu territory in northern Quebec, less than 2 km (1¼ miles) from the border with Labrador on the north shore of Knob Lake. It i ...
, Quebec. The village is in the reserve of the same name. The
Mushuau Innu First Nation The Mushuau Innu First Nation is a First Nations band government located in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The band has one reserve which has been located near the community of Natuashish since 2002 when it moved from Davis I ...
, located in the community of
Natuashish Natuashish is an Innu community in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The community is inhabited by the Mushuau Innu First Nation. Natuashish became a federal Indian reserve in 2003. Natuashish (Little Sango Pond) was establ ...
, Newfoundland and Labrador, is located in the Natuashish 2 reserve on the coast of Labrador.


Montagnais


Eastern Montagnais

Innus of Ekuanitshit Innus of Ekuanitshit (French: ''Les Innus d'Ekuanitshit'') are a First Nation band in Quebec, Canada. They live primarily in the Indian reserve of Mingan on the north coast of the St Lawrence River. , the band had a registered population of 67 ...
live on their reserve of
Mingan, Quebec Mingan, also known as Ekuanitshit in Innu-aimun, is an Innu First Nations reserve in the Canadian province of Quebec, at the mouth of the Mingan River on Mingan Bay of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It belongs to the Innu band of Ekuanitshit. Geogra ...
, at the mouth of the Mingan River of the Saint Lawrence River in the (north shore) region.
Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam is an Innu First Nations band government in Quebec, Canada. It is based in Sept-Îles in the Côte-Nord region on the North shore of the Saint Lawrence River. It owns two reserves: Maliotenam 27A and Uasha ...
based in Sept-Îles, Quebec, in the region on the Saint Lawrence River. They own two reserves: Maliotenam 27A, east of Sept-Îles, and Uashat 27, within Sept-Îles.
Innu Nation of Matimekush-Lac John Innu Nation of Matimekush-Lac John (or La Nation Innu Matimekush-Lac John in French) is a First Nation band government based out of Schefferville, Quebec, Canada. The members of the band are Innu people and speak the Innu language, an Algonquia ...
is based out of Schefferville, Quebec. One reserve,
Matimekosh Matimekosh (or Matimekush, officially Matimekosh 3) is a First Nations reserve on Lake Pearce in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec, Canada. Together with the Lac-John Reserve, it belongs to the Innu Nation of Matimekush-Lac John. It is an enclave i ...
, is an
enclave An enclave is a territory (or a small territory apart of a larger one) that is entirely surrounded by the territory of one other state or entity. Enclaves may also exist within territorial waters. ''Enclave'' is sometimes used improperly to deno ...
of Schefferville. The other,
Lac-John Lac-John is a First Nations reserve on John Lake in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec, Canada, about north-east from the centre of Schefferville. Together with the Matimekosh Reserve, it belongs to the Innu Nation of Matimekush-Lac John. It is g ...
, is outside the town.
Première Nation des Innus de Nutashkuan Première Nation des Innus de Nutashkuan (French: ''Montagnais de Natashquan'', Montagnais of Natashquan or Nutashkuan Innu First Nation) is an Innu First Nations band government in Quebec, Canada. The band lives on Nutashkuan, an Indian reserv ...
is based on their reserve of
Natashquan 1 Nutashkuan ( INAC) or Natashquan (CGNDB) (sometimes Natashquan 1) is a First Nations reserve in the Canadian province of Quebec, belonging to the Première Nation des Innus de Nutashkuan band. The reserve is located on the north shore of the ...
or Nutashkuan. The reserve is located on the north shore of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence at the mouth of the
Natashquan River The Natashquan is a river in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador. It flows south into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Geography The river has its source just south of the boundary between the Atlantic and Saint Lawrence ...
. located in the community of
Pakuashipi Pakuashipi (Pakua Shipi, or Pakua Shipu in Innu-aimun and St-Augustin Indian Settlement) is an Innu community in the Canadian province of Quebec, located on the north shore of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in the Côte-Nord region. It is on the weste ...
, Quebec, on the western shore of the mouth of the
Saint-Augustin River The Saint-Augustin River (french: Rivière Saint-Augustin, Innu: ''Pakut-shipu'') is a salmon river in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec, Canada. It empties into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Location The Saint-Augustin River has its source in the m ...
on the north shore of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in the region. The community is adjacent to the settlement of Saint-Augustin. are located at
La Romaine, Quebec La Romaine, also known as Unamenshipit in Innu-aimun, is an Innu First Nations reserve in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec, Canada, at the mouth of the Olomane River on the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It belongs to the Innu band of Unamen Shipu. Bei ...
at the mouth of the
Olomane River The Olomane River (french: Rivière Olomane) is a river in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec, Canada. Location The Olomane basin covers . It lies between the basins of the Washicoutai River to the west and the Coacoachou River to the east. It inc ...
on the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. They have one reserve; Romaine 2. Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation located in the community of Sheshatshiu in Labrador and is located approximately north of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Sheshatshiu is located adjacent to the Inuit community of
North West River North West River is a small town located in central Labrador. Established in 1743 as a trading post by French Fur Trader Louis Fornel, the community later went on to become a hub for the Hudson's Bay Company and home to a hospital and school se ...
. The Sheshatshiu Nation has one reserve, Sheshatshiu 3.


Western Montagnais

Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation or Première Nation des Pekuakamiulnuatsh in French, is a First Nation of Canada. The Nation is based on its reserve of Mashteuiatsh, in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec. The community is north of R ...
is located on the reserve of
Mashteuiatsh Mashteuiatsh is a First Nations reserve in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec, Canada, about north from the centre of Roberval. It is the home to the Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation. It is located on a headland jutting out on the w ...
in the
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean (, ) is a region in Quebec, Canada. It contains the Saguenay Fjord, the estuary of the Saguenay River, stretching through much of the region. It is also known as Sagamie in French, from the first part of "Saguenay" and th ...
region, north of
Roberval, Quebec Roberval is a city on the south-western shore of Lac Saint-Jean in the Le Domaine-du-Roy Regional County Municipality of Quebec, Canada. With a population of 9,840 in the Canada 2021 Census, it is the fourth largest city on this lake after Alma, ...
, on the western shore of Lac Saint-Jean.
Bande des Innus de Pessamit The Pessamit Innu Band, which the official name is ''bande des Innus de Pessamit'', is an Indian band of the Innu First Nations in Quebec, Canada. Its members primarily live on the Indian reserve of Pessamit in the Côte-Nord, the north shore of S ...
based in
Pessamit Pessamit (formerly Betsiamites, or Bersimis), is a First Nations reserve and Innu community in the Canadian province of Quebec, located about southwest from Baie-Comeau along the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River at the mouth of the Betsiam ...
, Quebec, is located about southwest of Baie-Comeau along the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River at the mouth of the Betsiamites River. It is across the river directly north of Rimouski, Quebec. Pessamit is northeast of Quebec City. Innue Essipit are based in their reserve of Essipit, adjacent to the village of
Les Escoumins, Quebec Les Escoumins is a municipality in La Haute-Côte-Nord Regional County Municipality in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec. It is located on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River. Its economy is mostly based on the service sectors, especially ...
. The community is on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River at the mouth of the Escoumins River in the region, northeast of Tadoussac and northeast of
Québec Quebec ( ; )According to the Government of Canada, Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is ...
.


Atikamekw ()

Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw The Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw (CNA) (French language, French for "Council of the Atikamekw Nation"), officially named Atikamekw Sipi - Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw, is a tribal council in Quebec, Canada. It is composed of the three Atikamek ...
, officially named Atikamekw Sipi – Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw, is a tribal council in Quebec, Canada. It is composed of three Atikamekw First Nations. The council is based in
La Tuque, Quebec La Tuque (; ) is a city located in north-central Quebec, Canada, on the Saint-Maurice River, between Trois-Rivières and Chambord. The population was 11,227 at the Canada 2011 Census, most of which live within the urban area. At over 28,000 sq ...
. The Atikamekw are inhabitants of the area they refer to as Nitaskinan ("Our Land"), in the upper
Saint-Maurice River The Saint-Maurice River (french: Rivière Saint-Maurice; Atikamekw: ''Tapiskwan sipi'') flows north to south in central Quebec from Gouin Reservoir to empty into the Saint Lawrence River at Trois-Rivières, in the province of Quebec, in Canada. F ...
valley. The First Nations: * Atikamekw d'Opitciwan live in
Obedjiwan Obedjiwan (officially designated as Obedjiwan 28) is a First Nations reserve and village on the north shore of Gouin Reservoir in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada. It belongs to the Atikamekw of Opitciwan band of the Atikamekw Nation. Ge ...
, Quebec on the north shore of
Gouin Reservoir The Gouin Reservoir () is a man-made lake, in La Tuque, in Mauricie, in the central portion of the Canadian province of Quebec, fully within the boundaries of the City of La Tuque. It is not one contiguous body of water, but the collective na ...
in the
Mauricie Mauricie () is a traditional and current administrative region of Quebec. La Mauricie National Park is contained within the region, making it a prime tourist location. The region has a land area of 35,860.05 km² (13,845.64 sq mi) and a popu ...
region. Their reserve, Obedjiwan 28, contains the community. It is located approximately by road west of Saguenay and east of Val-d'Or. *
Atikamekw of Manawan Atikamekw of Manawan ( French: ''Les Atikamekw de Manawan'') are an Atikamekw First Nation in Quebec, Canada. They live primarily in the Atikamekw community of Manawan, an Indian reserve located in Lanaudière. In 2016, the band has a registered p ...
are based in
Manawan Manawan (named Manouane until 1991), officially named ''communauté Atikamekw de Manawan'' ( French for "Atikamekw Community of Manawan"), is a First Nations reserve on the south-western shores of Lake Métabeskéga in the Lanaudière region of Q ...
, Quebec, on the south-western shores of Lake Métabeskéga in the Lanaudière region. The reserve is located by road northeast of
Mont-Laurier Mont-Laurier () is a town and incorporated municipality in northwest Quebec, Canada, located on the banks of the Lièvre River (''Rivière du Lièvre''), a tributary of the Ottawa River. Known as the "Capital of the Haute-Laurentides", the motto ...
or north of Montreal. * Conseil des Atikamekw de Wemotaci in Wemotaci, Quebec on the north shore of the
Saint-Maurice River The Saint-Maurice River (french: Rivière Saint-Maurice; Atikamekw: ''Tapiskwan sipi'') flows north to south in central Quebec from Gouin Reservoir to empty into the Saint Lawrence River at Trois-Rivières, in the province of Quebec, in Canada. F ...
at the mouth of the Manouane River in the Mauricie region approximately north of Trois-Rivières. The Nation owns two reserves; the first is around Wemotaci while the second is Coucoucache 24 on the north shore of
Reservoir Blanc The Réservoir Blanc (English: White Reservoir) is a reservoir located in the city of La Tuque, in Quebec, Canada. The artificial lake was created in 1930 by the construction of the Rapide-Blanc Generating Station on Saint-Maurice River. The year 1 ...
on the
Saint-Maurice River The Saint-Maurice River (french: Rivière Saint-Maurice; Atikamekw: ''Tapiskwan sipi'') flows north to south in central Quebec from Gouin Reservoir to empty into the Saint Lawrence River at Trois-Rivières, in the province of Quebec, in Canada. F ...
. Coucoucache 24 is not inhabited and is only accessible by boat.


James Bay Cree

Eeyou Istchee Eeyou Istchee , crj, ᐄᔨᔫ ᐊᔅᒌ or , all meaning 'The People's Land'; ) is a territory equivalent to a regional county municipality (TE) of Quebec that is represented by the Grand Council of the Crees. On July 24, 2012, the Quebec ...
is a territory equivalent to a regional county municipality (TE) of Nord-du-Québec represented by the
Grand Council of the Crees The Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) or the GCC(EI) (ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᐊᔅᒌ in Cree), is the political body that represents the approximately 18,000 Cree people (who call themselves "Eeyou" or "Eenou" in the various dialects of East ...
. On 24 July 2012, the Quebec government signed an accord with the Cree Nation that resulted in the abolition of the neighbouring municipality of Baie-James and the creation of the new
Eeyou Istchee James Bay Regional Government Eeyou Istchee James Bay Regional Government (french: Gouvernement régional d’Eeyou Istchee Baie-James, cr, ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᐊᔅᒌ ᒉᐃᒥᔅ ᐯᐃ ᐊᔅᒌᐤ ᑎᐹᔨᐦᒋᒑᐎᓐ, italic=no ) is a local municipality in the (TE) in ...
, providing for the residents of surrounding
Jamésie Jamésie is a territory equivalent to a regional county municipality (TE) of Nord-du-Québec, Canada. Its geographical code is 991 and together with Kativik TE and Eeyou Istchee TE it forms the administrative région and census division (CD ...
TE and Eeyou Istchee to jointly govern the territory formerly governed by the municipality of Baie-James. Eeyou Istchee is a territory of eight
enclave An enclave is a territory (or a small territory apart of a larger one) that is entirely surrounded by the territory of one other state or entity. Enclaves may also exist within territorial waters. ''Enclave'' is sometimes used improperly to deno ...
s within Jamésie plus one enclave (Whapmagoostui) within
Kativik The Kativik Regional Government (french: Administration régionale Kativik, KGR) encompasses most of the Nunavik region of Quebec. Nunavik is the northern half of the Nord-du-Québec administrative region and includes all the territory north of ...
TE. Each enclave is a combination of a
Cree reserved land The Cree ( cr, néhinaw, script=Latn, , etc.; french: link=no, Cri) are a North American Indigenous people. They live primarily in Canada, where they form one of the country's largest First Nations. In Canada, over 350,000 people are Cree or ...
(TC) and a Cree village municipality (VC), both with the same name. * Cree Nation of Chisasibi is at the Cree village of
Chisasibi Chisasibi ( cr, ᒋᓵᓰᐲ, translit=Cisâsîpî; meaning Great River) is a village on the eastern shore of James Bay, in the Eeyou Istchee equivalent territory (ET) in northern Quebec, Canada. It is situated on the south shore of La Grande R ...
on the south shore of La Grande River on the eastern shore of James Bay. The Nation's reserve is
Chisasibi Chisasibi ( cr, ᒋᓵᓰᐲ, translit=Cisâsîpî; meaning Great River) is a village on the eastern shore of James Bay, in the Eeyou Istchee equivalent territory (ET) in northern Quebec, Canada. It is situated on the south shore of La Grande R ...
TC. Chisasibi is accessible via road and its airport. It is northwest of Chibougamau via the and the James Bay Road. (Chibougamau is by road north of Montreal). *
Eastmain (Cree Nation) Eastmain ( cr, ᐙᐸᓅᑖᐤ (Wâpanûtâw) meaning "Lands east of James Bay") is a Cree First Nation of Canada. Its members primarily live in the ''Terres réservées aux Cris'' or Cree reserved land (Indian reserve) of Eastmain, Quebec. It ...
is located at Eastmain VC and Eastmain TC is the reserve. The Nation is located on the east coast of James Bay at the mouth of the Eastmain River. Eastmain is northwest of Chibougamau via the and the James Bay Road. *
Cree Nation of Mistissini The Cree Nation of Mistissini (Cree language, Cree: ᒥᔅᑎᓯᓃ) is a Cree First Nations in Canada, First Nation of Canada. It is headquartered at the Cree village municipality (Quebec), Cree village of Mistissini (Cree village municipality), M ...
is based in the Cree village of
Mistissini Mistissini ( cr, ᒥᔅᑎᓯᓃ/Mistisinî meaning Big Rock) is a Cree town located in the south-east corner of the largest natural lake in Quebec, Lake Mistassini. The town is inside the boundaries of the Baie-James Municipality and is the ...
, located in the south-east corner of the largest natural lake in Quebec, Lake Mistassini. The associated reserve is
Mistissini Mistissini ( cr, ᒥᔅᑎᓯᓃ/Mistisinî meaning Big Rock) is a Cree town located in the south-east corner of the largest natural lake in Quebec, Lake Mistassini. The town is inside the boundaries of the Baie-James Municipality and is the ...
TC. Mistissini is northeast of Chibougamau on Route 167. *
Cree Nation of Nemaska The Cree Nation of Nemaska is a Cree First Nation of Quebec, Canada. It is headquartered at the Cree village of Nemaska and also has a ''terre réservée crie'' of the same name, both located in the Eeyou Istchee territory in Northern Quebec. In ...
is headquartered at
Nemaska Nemaska ( cr, ᓀᒥᔅᑳᐤ/Nemiskâw, meaning ''underwater point,'' but commonly associated with the word ''namesiskâw'', meaning ''many fish''.) is a small Cree community located on the shores of Lake Champion, in Quebec, Canada. It is a sm ...
VC and its reserve is
Nemaska Nemaska ( cr, ᓀᒥᔅᑳᐤ/Nemiskâw, meaning ''underwater point,'' but commonly associated with the word ''namesiskâw'', meaning ''many fish''.) is a small Cree community located on the shores of Lake Champion, in Quebec, Canada. It is a sm ...
TC located on the western shores of Lake Champion. The village is the
seat A seat is a place to sit. The term may encompass additional features, such as back, armrest, head restraint but also headquarters in a wider sense. Types of seat The following are examples of different kinds of seat: * Armchair (furniture), ...
of the Grand Council of the Crees. Nemaska is northwest of Chibougamau, at km 300 of the . *
Oujé-Bougoumou Cree Nation Oujé-Bougoumou Cree Nation is a Cree First Nation of Canada. It is headquartered in the Cree village of Oujé-Bougoumou, located on the shores of Opémisca Lake, in the Eeyou Istchee territory equivalent of Quebec. Oujé-Bougoumou is unique from ...
is located in the Cree village of
Oujé-Bougoumou Oujé-Bougoumou (; cr, ᐆᒉᐳᑯᒨ / Ûcêpukumû, the linguistic basis for the name of the nearby town Chibougamau, which in the Cree language refers to the narrows of a body of water, and was where Cree people gathered seasonally) is th ...
on the shores of
Opémisca Lake Opémisca Lake is a freshwater body of the Eeyou Istchee Baie-James, in Jamésie, in the administrative region of Nord-du-Québec, in province of Quebec, in Canada. The surface of the lake extends in the cantons of Cuvier, Lévy, Daubrée and Opé ...
. Oujé-Bougoumou is unique from the other Nations of Eeyou Istchee in that it doesn't have an associated reserve. The village is due west of Chibougamau. * The Crees of the Waskaganish First Nation is located at
Waskaganish Waskaganish ( cr, ᐙᔅᑳᐦᐄᑲᓂᔥ/Wâskâhîkaniš, Little House; ) is a Cree community of over 2,500 people at the mouth of the Rupert River on the south-east shore of James Bay in Northern Quebec, Canada. Waskaganish is part of the t ...
VC at the mouth of the Rupert River on the south-east shore of James Bay. The associated reserve is
Waskaganish Waskaganish ( cr, ᐙᔅᑳᐦᐄᑲᓂᔥ/Wâskâhîkaniš, Little House; ) is a Cree community of over 2,500 people at the mouth of the Rupert River on the south-east shore of James Bay in Northern Quebec, Canada. Waskaganish is part of the t ...
TC. Founded in 1668 as Charles Fort, two years before the creation of the HBC, the community is on the site of the first fur trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company. After the HBC was formed, the community was known as Fort Rupert, Rupert Fort, or Rupert House after
Prince Rupert of the Rhine Prince Rupert of the Rhine, Duke of Cumberland, (17 December 1619 (O.S.) / 27 December (N.S.) – 29 November 1682 (O.S.)) was an English army officer, admiral, scientist and colonial governor. He first came to prominence as a Royalist cavalr ...
, the first governor of the HBC. * Cree First Nation of Waswanipi is located in the Cree village of Waswanipi and the reserve is Waswanipi TC. The Nation is located near the confluence of the
Chibougamau Chibougamau () is the largest town in Nord-du-Québec, central Quebec, Canada. Located on Lake Gilman it has a population of 7,504 people (2016 Canadian Census). Chibougamau is surrounded by, but not part of, the local municipality of Eeyou Istc ...
and
Waswanipi River The Waswanipi River is a tributary of Matagami Lake. The Waswanipi River flows in the Municipality of Eeyou Istchee Baie-James in the administrative region of Nord-du-Québec, in Quebec, Canada. Geography The main hydrographic slopes adjacent t ...
s. *
Cree Nation of Wemindji The Cree Nation of Wemindji is a Cree First Nation of Northern Quebec, Canada. It is headquartered at the Cree village of Wemindji and also has the ''terre réservée crie'' of the same name, both located in the Eeyou Istchee territory. In 2016, ...
is headquartered at Wemindji VC and its reserve is Wemindji TC. The village is on the east coast of James Bay at the mouth of the and is north of Chibougamau via the . * located at Whapmagoostui VC, is the northernmost Cree village, located at the mouth of the Great Whale River on the coast of Hudson Bay in Kativik TE. The village is just south of the river while the Inuit village of Kuujjuarapik is on the north shore. * Cree Nation of Washaw Sibi was recognized as the tenth Cree Nation Community at the 2003 Annual General Assembly of the Cree Nation. The Nation does not yet have a community or reserve recognized by either the Canadian or Quebec governments but the Nation has chosen an area about 40 minutes' drive south of Matagami.


Moose Cree

Moose Cree ( cr, script=Latn, Mōsonī or ), also known as Moosonee are located in Northeastern Ontario. Constance Lake First Nation is the only Cree member of Matawa First Nations. They are located on their reserves, Constance Lake 92 and
English River 66 English River 66 is a First Nations reserve in Cochrane District, Ontario, Canada, located adjacent to the settlement of Mammamattawa and just downstream of the mouth of the Kabinakagami River at the Kenogami River. It is one of two reserves of ...
, in the Cochrane District, Ontario. Mushkegowuk Council, based in Moose Factory, Ontario, represents chiefs from seven First Nations across Ontario. Moose Cree members are: Chapleau Cree First Nation, Kashechewan First Nation, Missanabie Cree First Nation, Moose Cree First Nation, and Taykwa Tagamou Nation. The Chapleau Cree First Nation and their two reserves,
Chapleau Cree Fox Lake Chapleau Cree Fox Lake ( cr, ᔓᑊᓗ ᐠᕆ ᒪᑫᔑᐤ ᓴᑲᐃᑲᐣ, ''"shaplo kri makishiw sakahikan"'') is a First Nations reserve close to Chapleau, Ontario, Canada. It is one of the reserves of the Chapleau Cree First Nation Chapleau ...
and
Chapleau 75 Chapleau 75 is a First Nations reserve located near Chapleau, Ontario. It is one of two reserves of the Chapleau Cree First Nation Chapleau Cree First Nation ( cr, ᔕᑊᓗ ᐃᓂᓂᐗᐠ, ''šaplo ininiwak'') is a Mushkegowuk Cree First Natio ...
, are located outside of
Chapleau, Ontario Chapleau is a township in Sudbury District, Ontario, Canada. It is home to one of the world's largest wildlife preserves. Chapleau has a population of 1,942 according to the 2016 Canadian census. The major industries within the town are the logg ...
in the Sudbury District. The Kashechewan First Nation community is located on the northern shore of the Albany River on James Bay. The Hudson's Bay Company established a post, Fort Albany, at this location between 1675 and 1679. Kashechewan First Nation is one of two communities that were established from Old Fort Albany, the other being Fort Albany First Nation. The two Nations share the Fort Albany 67 reserve. The Missanabie Cree First Nation signed Treaty 9 in 1906 but did not receive any reserved lands until 2018. The Missanabie reserve is in the
Missanabie Missanabie is a community in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in the Algoma District at the northern terminus of Highway 651, inside the boundaries of the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve. A designated place served by a local services board ...
, Ontario area. The Moose Cree First Nation is based in Moose Factory in the Cochrane District. Moose Factory was founded in 1672–1673 by
Charles Bayly Charles Bayly, ( fl. 1630–1680), the first overseas governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, likely spent his early years in the court of Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of Charles I. He was an English born French Roman Catholic in this Protes ...
, the first overseas governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, and was the company's second post. It was the first English settlement in what is now Ontario. The Nation has two reserves:
Factory Island 1 Factory Island 1 is a Cree First Nations reserve on Moose Factory Island in northern Ontario. It is one of two reserves for the Moose Cree First Nation. Land use The northern two-thirds of the island comprises this reserve or land north of Museum S ...
on Moose Factory Island, an island in the Moose River, about from its mouth at James Bay; and
Moose Factory 68 Moose Factory 68 is a First Nations reserve on the Moose River in Cochrane District, Ontario. It is one of two reserves of the Moose Cree First Nation The Moose Cree First Nation (formerly known as Moose Factory Band of Indians) ( cr, ᒨᓱ ...
, a tract of land about upstream on the Moose River. The Taykwa Tagamou Nation has two reserves, New Post 69, and their main reserve,
New Post 69A New Post 69A is a First Nations in Canada, First Nations Indian reserve, reserve in Cochrane District, Ontario. It is one of two reserves for the Taykwa Tagamou Nation. References

Cree reserves in Ontario Communities in Cochrane Distr ...
outside
Cochrane, Ontario Cochrane is a town in northeastern Ontario, Canada. It is located east of Kapuskasing, northeast of Timmins, south of Moosonee, and north of Iroquois Falls. It is about a one-hour drive from Timmins, the major city of the region. It is the seat ...
along the Abitibi River.
Wabun Tribal Council Wabun Tribal Council is a non-profit Regional Chiefs' Council representing Ojibway and Cree First Nations in northern Ontario, Canada. The Council provides advisory services and program delivery to its seven Status and non-Status member-Nations. B ...
is a regional chief's council based in Timmins, Ontario representing Ojibway and Cree First Nations in northern Ontario. Moose Cree members are: Brunswick House First Nation and
Matachewan First Nation Matachewan First Nation is an Ojibway and Cree First Nation reserve located in the Timiskaming District of Ontario, Canada. As of March, 2012, they had a total registered population of 642 people, of which 40 people lived on their own reserves. ...
. Brunswick House's reserves are
Mountbatten 76A Mountbatten 76A is a First Nations reserve near Kinogama in Sudbury District, Ontario. It is one of two reserves of the Brunswick House First Nation Brunswick House First Nation is an Ojibway-Cree First Nations in the Canadian province of Ontar ...
and
Duck Lake 76B Duck Lake 76B is a First Nations reserve in Sudbury District, Ontario. It is one of two reserves for the Brunswick House First Nation Brunswick House First Nation is an Ojibway-Cree First Nations in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in t ...
located in the Sudbury District near Chapleau, Ontario. The Matachewan First Nation is on the Matachewan 72 reserve near Matachewan township in the Timiskaming District.


Swampy Cree


Located in Ontario

Fort Severn First Nation and their reserve, Fort Severn 89, located on the mouth of the Severn River on Hudson Bay, is the most northern community in Ontario. It is a member of Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council. Mushkegowuk Council, based in Moose Factory, Ontario, represents chiefs from seven First Nations across Ontario. Swampy Cree members are: Fort Albany First Nation and
Attawapiskat First Nation The Attawapiskat First Nation ( Cree: , "People of the parting of the rocks"; unpointed: ) is an isolated First Nation located in Kenora District in northern Ontario, Canada, at the mouth of the Attawapiskat River on James Bay. The traditional ...
. Fort Albany First Nation is located at Fort Albany, Ontario, on the southern shore of the Albany River at James Bay. The reserve, Fort Albany 67, is shared with the Kashechewan First Nation. The Attawapiskat First Nation is located at mouth of the
Attawapiskat River The Attawapiskat River () is a river in Kenora District in northwestern Ontario, Canada, that flows east from Attawapiskat Lake to James Bay. It is the third largest river entirely in Ontario. Course The Attawapiskat River travels a distance of ...
on James Bay. The community is on the Attawapiskat 91A reserve. The Attawapiskat 91 reserve is on both shores of the
Ekwan River The Ekwan River is a river in Kenora District, Ontario, Kenora District in Northwestern Ontario, northwestern Ontario, Canada. It appears as Equam on Bellin map of 1744. Ekwan River is of Cree origin, meaning "the river far up the coast". It tra ...
, upstream from the mouth on James Bay. Independent from a Tribal Council is the Weenusk First Nation located in Peawanuck in the Kenora District. The community was located on their reserve of
Winisk 90 Winisk 90 is a First Nation reserve and ghost town in the Kenora District in Northern Ontario, situated along the Winisk River. It was destroyed in the 1986 Winisk Flood. After the flood, the residents of the Weenusk First Nation were forced to r ...
on the mouth of the
Winisk River The Winisk River is a river in northern Ontario, Canada, that starts at Wunnummin Lake and flows east to Winisk Lake. From there it continues in a mostly northly direction to Hudson Bay. The Winisk River is long and has a drainage basin of . ...
on James Bay but the community was destroyed in the 1986 Winisk flood and the community had to be relocated to Peawanuck.


Located in Manitoba

Keewatin Tribal Council Keewatin Tribal Council is a tribal council representing 11 First Nation band governments in the province of Manitoba. Its head offices are located in Thompson, Manitoba, with a secondary office in Winnipeg. Members The Keewatin Tribal Counci ...
is a Tribal Council based in Thompson, Manitoba that represents eleven First Nations, of which five are Swampy Cree, across northern Manitoba.
Fox Lake Cree Nation Fox Lake Cree Nation ( cr, ᒪᐦᑫᓯᐤ ᓵᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ, Makaso Sakahigan (mahkêsiw sâkahikan)) (formerly Gillam Band) is a First Nations band government whose reserve is located in Fox Lake, Bird, Manitoba, Canada. The Fox Lake Training ...
is based in Gillam, northeast of Thompson via Provincial Road 280 (PR 280), and has several reserves along the Nelson River. Shamattawa First Nation is located on their reserve, Shamattawa 1, on the banks of the Gods River where the
Echoing River The Echoing River is a river in the Hudson Bay drainage basin in Manitoba and Ontario, Canada. Its flows from its source at Echoing Lake in the Unorganized Kenora District, unorganized part of Kenora District, Ontario, Kenora District, Northwester ...
joins. The community is very remote; only connected via air or via winter ice roads to other First Nation communities. The Tataskweyak Cree Nation is located in the community of
Split Lake, Manitoba Split Lake, or Tataskwayak ( cr, ᑕᑕᐢᑿᔭᕽ), is a community in Manitoba on the northern short of Split Lake along the Nelson River, about west southwest of the river's mouth at Hudson Bay, and is within the Tataskweyak Cree Nation reser ...
within the Split Lake 171 reserve, northeast of Thompson on PR 280, on the lake of the same name on the Nelson River system.
War Lake First Nation The War Lake First Nation ( cr, ᒨᓱᑯᐟ, môsokot) is a First Nations community located within the boundaries of Ilford, Manitoba Ilford is an Indian settlement in northern Manitoba, Canada. The Mooseocoot Indian reserve is located within t ...
possess several reserves but are located on the Mooseocoot reserve in the community of Ilford, Manitoba, east of York Landing. York Factory First Nation is based on the reserve of York Landing, south of Split Lake via ferry. York Factory was a settlement and Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) trading post, established in 1684, on the shore of Hudson Bay, at the mouth of the
Hayes River The Hayes River is a river in Northern Manitoba, Canada, that flows from Molson Lake to Hudson Bay at York Factory. It was historically an important river in the development of Canada and is now a Canadian Heritage River and the longest naturall ...
. In 1956, the trading post was closed and the community was moved inland to the current site.
Swampy Cree Tribal Council Swampy means "of or resembling a swamp". Swampy may also refer to: * Swampy Cree, native Americans (and their language) * Swampy, a character in the video game ''Where's My Water?'' People * Swampy (environmentalist), Daniel Hooper (born 1973), ...
is, as the name suggests, a Tribal Council of seven Swampy Cree First Nations across northern Manitoba and is based in The Pas. The
Chemawawin Cree Nation The Chemawawin Cree Nation (Cree: ᒌᒧᐑᐏᐣ, cîmowîwin. ''Meaning: fishing with two canoes across from each other pulling a net'')Ogg, Arden (August 19 2015) Cree Names of Cree-speaking Communities across CanadLink/ref> is a First Nations c ...
(also Rocky Cree) are based on their reserve Chemawawin 2, adjacent to
Easterville, Manitoba Easterville is an unincorporated community, designated as a northern community, in the Canadian province of Manitoba. It is situated 200 kilometres southeast of The Pas and 100 kilometres (40 km by air) west of Grand Rapids, on the south ...
, southeast of The Pas. Mathias Colomb First Nation (also Rocky Cree) is located in the community of Pukatawagan on the Pukatawagan 198 reserve. Misipawistik Cree Nation (also Rocky Cree) is located near Grand Rapids, Manitoba, north of Winnipeg at the mouth of the Saskatchewan River as it runs into Lake Winnipeg. Mosakahiken Cree Nation (also Rocky Cree) is located around the community of Moose Lake about southeast of The Pas on their main reserve, Moose Lake 31A.
Opaskwayak Cree Nation The Opaskwayak Cree Nation (; OCN, Cree: ᐅᐸᐢᑿᔭᐠ , ''opâskwêyâhk'', meaning: at the wooded narrows) is a First Nations band government in Manitoba, Canada. Most of the on-reserve population lives near The Pas on the OCN 21E reserve ...
(also Rocky Cree) has several reserves but most of the population lives on the Opaskwayak 21E reserve, immediately north of and across the Saskatchewan River from The Pas. The
Sapotaweyak Cree Nation The Sapotaweyak Cree Nation (SCN, cr, ᓵᐳᐦᑕᐍᔮᕽ, sâpohtawêyâhk, ''meaning: "golden eagle"'') is a First Nations band government whose reserves are located in northern Manitoba, north-east of Swan River, approximately 400 kilometre ...
is located in the Shoal River 65A reserve adjacent to the community of Pelican Rapids, about south of The Pas.
Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation ( Cree ᐘᐢᑿᐩ ᓰᐲᕽ waskway-sîpîhk, ''meaning: at the Birch River'') is a Swampy Cree First Nations band government whose reserve community is located northeast Birch River, Manitoba, along the western shores ...
has several reserves but the main reserve is Swan Lake 65C which contains the settlement of Indian Birch, about south of The Pas. Not affiliated with any Tribal Council:
Fisher River Cree Nation Fisher River ( cr, ᐅᒉᑯ ᓰᐱᐩ, ocêko-sîpiy) is a Cree First Nations reserve located approximately 193 km north of Manitoba's capital city, Winnipeg. The Fisher River Cree Nation is composed of two reserves; Fisher River 44 and F ...
, Marcel Colomb First Nation, and
Norway House Cree Nation The Norway House Cree Nation ( cr, Kinosao Sipi, ᑭᓄᓭᐏ ᓰᐱᐩ. SRO: kinosêwi-sîpiy) is based at Norway House, Manitoba, which is located on the Playgreen Lake section of the Nelson River system. The people are Swampy Cree from the Ro ...
.
Fisher River Cree Nation Fisher River ( cr, ᐅᒉᑯ ᓰᐱᐩ, ocêko-sîpiy) is a Cree First Nations reserve located approximately 193 km north of Manitoba's capital city, Winnipeg. The Fisher River Cree Nation is composed of two reserves; Fisher River 44 and F ...
, located approximately north of Winnipeg in Koostatak on Lake Winnipeg, control the Fisher River 44 and 44A reserves. Marcel Colomb First Nation is located outside of Lynn Lake on the Black Sturgeon reserve on Hughes Lake, northwest of Thompson via Provincial Road 391.
Norway House Cree Nation The Norway House Cree Nation ( cr, Kinosao Sipi, ᑭᓄᓭᐏ ᓰᐱᐩ. SRO: kinosêwi-sîpiy) is based at Norway House, Manitoba, which is located on the Playgreen Lake section of the Nelson River system. The people are Swampy Cree from the Ro ...
is located in Norway House which is located on the Playgreen Lake section of the Nelson River system on the north side of Lake Winnipeg. In 1821, Norway House became the principal inland fur trading depot for the Hudson's Bay Company. Norway House was also where Treaty 5 was signed. They control more than 80 reserves from less than to their largest, Norway House 17, at over . The Nation is one of the most populous in Canada with 8,599 people .


Located in Saskatchewan

Prince Albert Grand Council is based in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and is owned by twelve First Nations of which three are Swampy Cree. Cumberland House Cree Nation is based in Cumberland House, Saskatchewan on the
Cumberland House Cree Nation 20 Cumberland House Cree Nation 20 is an Indian reserve of the Cumberland House Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. The reserve is on Cumberland Island in the Saskatchewan River Delta, about south-west of Flin Flon Flin Flon (pop. 5,185 in 2016 cen ...
reserve, southwest of Flin Flon, Manitoba. Cumberland House, founded in 1774 by Samuel Hearne, was the site of the HBC's first inland fur-trading post. The Red Earth First Nation is located in the community of Red Earth, on the banks of the Carrot River, on the Carrot River 29A reserve. Close by is the Red Earth 29 reserve, about east of
Nipawin Nipawin () is a town in Saskatchewan, Canada, on the Saskatchewan River portion of Tobin Lake. The town lies between Codette Lake, created by the Francois-Finlay Dam (built in 1986) and Tobin Lake, created by the E.B. Campbell Dam built in ...
. Shoal Lake Cree Nation is located in Pakwaw Lake, on the Shoal Lake 28A reserve, east of Nipawin.


Woodland Cree


Rocky Cree ()

The Keewatin Tribal Council, described under Swampy Cree, also represents Rocky Cree First Nations in Manitoba. The
Barren Lands First Nation Barren Lands First Nation ( cr, ᑭᓯᐸᑲᒫᕽ, kisipakamâhk) is a First Nation located on the north shore of Reindeer Lake in northern Manitoba close to the Saskatchewan border. It has one reserve land called Brochet 197, which is in size ...
is located on the north shore of Reindeer Lake close to the Saskatchewan border. It has one reserve, Brochet 197, northwest of Thompson, adjoining the village of
Brochet ''Constructions Aéronautiques Maurice Brochet'' was a French manufacturer of light aircraft established by Maurice Brochet (18 June 1899 – 16 June 1969) in Neauphle-le-Château in 1947. Aircraft design and construction Initially, the firm s ...
. The
Bunibonibee Cree Nation Bunibonibee Cree Nation ( cr, ᐸᓂᑇᓂᐱᐩ, panipwânipiy), formerly known as Oxford House First Nation and as Oxford House Band of Indians, is a First Nation located along the eastern shoreline of Oxford Lake at the headwaters of the Hayes ...
is located along the eastern shoreline of
Oxford Lake Oxford Lake is a lake on the Hayes River in Manitoba, Canada. The lake is in size and sits at a surface elevation of . Description Oxford Lake is a vaguely man-shaped lake, with a 'head' on the east, a 'neck', a northwest-southeast shoulder line ...
at the headwaters of the
Hayes River The Hayes River is a river in Northern Manitoba, Canada, that flows from Molson Lake to Hudson Bay at York Factory. It was historically an important river in the development of Canada and is now a Canadian Heritage River and the longest naturall ...
. The Nation controls several reserves with the main reserve being Oxford House 24 adjacent to the community of Oxford House, Manitoba, southeast of Thompson. God's Lake First Nation is located in the
God's Lake Narrows God's Lake Narrows is a community located in northeastern Manitoba in Canada. The community is located on the shores of Gods Lake, which is the 7th largest lake in the province. God's Lake has a maximum depth of 75 meters. Located 550 k ...
area on the shore of
God's Lake Gods Lake is a lake in northeastern Manitoba in Canada. The lake covers an area of with a net (water surface) area of , making it the 7th largest lake in the province. It lies north of Island Lake at an elevation of , approximately east of Th ...
. The main reserve is God's Lake 23, southeast of Thompson. The
Manto Sipi Cree Nation Gods River is a remote, isolated settlement in Northern Manitoba, Canada, and the primary settlement of the Manto Sipi Cree Nation ( cr, ᒪᓂᑐ ᓰᐱᐩ, manito sîpiy) () First Nations community. The settlement is on Gods Lake at the point o ...
also live on God's Lake in the community of God's River on the God's River 86A reserve, about northeast of God's Lake Narrows. All of the Rocky Cree communities of Keewatin Tribal Council are remote; only connected via air and ice road during winter months. Five of the Swampy Cree Tribal Council First Nations contain Rocky Cree populations:
Chemawawin Cree Nation The Chemawawin Cree Nation (Cree: ᒌᒧᐑᐏᐣ, cîmowîwin. ''Meaning: fishing with two canoes across from each other pulling a net'')Ogg, Arden (August 19 2015) Cree Names of Cree-speaking Communities across CanadLink/ref> is a First Nations c ...
, Mathias Colomb First Nation, Misipawistik Cree Nation, Mosakahiken Cree Nation,
Opaskwayak Cree Nation The Opaskwayak Cree Nation (; OCN, Cree: ᐅᐸᐢᑿᔭᐠ , ''opâskwêyâhk'', meaning: at the wooded narrows) is a First Nations band government in Manitoba, Canada. Most of the on-reserve population lives near The Pas on the OCN 21E reserve ...
. In Saskatchewan, the Prince Albert Grand Council, described under Swampy Cree, also has Rocky Cree members. The
Lac La Ronge First Nation The Lac La Ronge Indian Band ( cr, ᒥᐢᑕᐦᐃ ᓵᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᕽ, mistahi-sâkahikanihk) is a Woodland Cree First Nation in northern Saskatchewan, it is the largest Cree band government in Canada and the largest First Nation in Saskatch ...
is one of the most populous First Nations in Canada with a registered population of 11,604 . The Nation is based in La Ronge on the
Lac la Ronge 156 Lac la Ronge 156 is an Indian reserve of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band in Saskatchewan. It is 10 kilometres southwest of Lac la Ronge. In the 2016 Canadian Census, it recorded a population of 2017 living in 441 of its 480 total private dwellings. I ...
reserve but has other communities on other reserves. La Ronge is north of Prince Albert at the north end of Saskatchewan Highway 2. The
Montreal Lake First Nation The Montreal Lake Cree Nation ( cr, ᒨᓂᔮᐏ ᓵᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᕽ, môniyâwi-sâkahikanihk) is a Woodland Cree First Nation in northern Saskatchewan. The administrative centre of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation is located in the community of Mo ...
, on their reserves of
Montreal Lake 106 Montreal Lake 106 is an Indian reserve of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation in Saskatchewan Saskatchewan ( ; ) is a province in western Canada, bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba ...
, is on the southern shore of Montreal Lake, north of Prince Albert.
Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (Rocky cr, ᐊᓯᓃᐢᑳᐏᑎᓂᐘᐠ, Asinîskâwitiniwak) is a Woodland Cree First Nation in northern Saskatchewan consisting of eight communities: Denare Beach (Amisk Lake), Deschambault Lake, Kinoosao, P ...
is also a populous First Nation with 11,563 people . The Nation has eight communities and controls a large number of reserves; the administrative center is
Pelican Narrows, Saskatchewan Pelican Narrows is a northern village in the boreal forest of central Saskatchewan, Canada. Its location is northwest of Creighton by Hanson Lake Road and Highway 135. Its name in Cree is ''Opawikoscikan'' which means "The Narrows ...
, northeast of Flin Flon, Manitoba. The Sturgeon Lake First Nation is located on the Sturgeon Lake 101 reserve on the eastern shore of
Sturgeon Lake Sturgeon is the common name for the 27 species of fish belonging to the family Acipenseridae. The earliest sturgeon fossils date to the Late Cretaceous, and are descended from other, earlier acipenseriform fish, which date back to the Earl ...
about northwest of Prince Albert. Not affiliated with any Tribal Council are Cross Lake First Nation,
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation The Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN; cr, ᓂᓯᒐᐚᔭᓯᕽ, nisicawâyasihk; formerly the Nelson House First Nation) is a Cree First Nations community centered in Nelson House, Manitoba, Canada. Its main reserve is Nelson House 170. Nelson H ...
, and
O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation The O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation ( cr, ᐅᐱᐴᓇᐱᐏᐣ, opiponipîwin) is a First Nations band government with over 1,500 Cree registered members centred in the settlement of South Indian Lake in Manitoba, Canada. South Indian Lake is located ...
. The Cross Lake First Nation is a populous Nation with a registered population of 9,138 people . The Nation is in
Cross Lake, Manitoba Cross Lake is the name of two closely related, adjoining but independent communities in the Canadian province of Manitoba. One of the Cross Lakes is the Cross Lake Indian Reserve (Pimicikamak Cree) of the Cross Lake First Nation where the main u ...
on the Cross Lake 19 reserve, north of Lake Winnipeg. The
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation The Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN; cr, ᓂᓯᒐᐚᔭᓯᕽ, nisicawâyasihk; formerly the Nelson House First Nation) is a Cree First Nations community centered in Nelson House, Manitoba, Canada. Its main reserve is Nelson House 170. Nelson H ...
is based in Nelson House, Manitoba on the Nelson House 170 reserve located south of Thompson. The
O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation The O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation ( cr, ᐅᐱᐴᓇᐱᐏᐣ, opiponipîwin) is a First Nations band government with over 1,500 Cree registered members centred in the settlement of South Indian Lake in Manitoba, Canada. South Indian Lake is located ...
is located in the settlement of
South Indian Lake South Indian Lake is an Indian settlement located on the southeast shore of Southern Indian Lake in northern Manitoba, Canada, about north of the city of Thompson by air. It had a population of 981 in 2016, and is the main settlement of the O-Pi ...
, northwest of Thompson. Marcel Colomb First Nation, listed under Swampy Cree, also has a Rocky Cree population.


Woods Cree ()

The
Canoe Lake Cree First Nation Canoe Lake Cree First Nation ( cr, ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ ᐘᐹᓯᕽ ''nêhiyaw-wapâsihk'')Wolvengrey, Arok, editor. Cree: Words. Regina, University of Regina Press, 2001https://itwewina.altlab.app/word/n%C3%AAhiyaw-wap%C3%A2sihk//ref> is a Cree Fi ...
is based in
Canoe Narrows, Saskatchewan Canoe Lake 165 is an Indian reserve of the Canoe Lake Cree First Nation in the boreal forest of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Its location is on Canoe Lake approximately thirty miles west of Beauval, within the ancient hunting grounds of the W ...
on the
Canoe Lake 165 Canoe Lake 165 is an Indian reserve of the Canoe Lake Cree First Nation in the boreal forest of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Its location is on Canoe Lake approximately thirty miles west of Beauval, within the ancient hunting grounds of the W ...
reserve. The Nation is a member of the
Meadow Lake Tribal Council The Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) is a tribal council representing nine First Nation band governments in the province of Saskatchewan. The council is based in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. Services MLTC provides and coordinates health care, ed ...
. The
Bigstone Cree Nation The Bigstone Cree Nation ( cr, ᐅᐸᓯᑯᓂᐍᐤ, opasikoniwew) is a First Nations band government in Alberta, Canada. As Woodland Cree, they are a western branch of the larger Cree nation, and are a party to Treaty 8 with Canada. The Bigst ...
is based in Wabasca, Alberta, about northeast of Slave Lake, on the Wabasca 166A reserve. The Nation is not associated with a Tribal Council. The Bigstone Cree Nation was divided into two bands in 2010, with one group continuing under the former name, and the other becoming the Peerless Trout First Nation. The Fort McMurray First Nation is located on the reserves
Gregoire Lake 176 Gregoire Lake 176 is an Indian reserve of the Fort McMurray First Nation in Alberta, located within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. It is 35 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray. In the 2016 Canadian Census The 2016 Canadian census ...
and 176A located about southeast of Fort McMurray near
Anzac, Alberta Anzac is a hamlet in northern Alberta, Canada within the Regional Municipality (RM) of Wood Buffalo. It is located on Highway 881 along the east shore of Gregoire Lake, approximately southeast of Fort McMurray. History Anzac was named for t ...
on
Gregoire Lake Gregoire Lake is a lake in Alberta, Canada. It is part of the Athabasca River basin. It is located in the wetlands of northern Alberta, adjacent to Highway 881, between Fort McMurray and Lac La Biche. It was known as "Willow Lake" until 1940 w ...
. They are the only Cree member of the
Athabasca Tribal Council The Athabasca Tribal Council is a tribal council representing five First Nation band governments in the province of Alberta. The organization is based in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Demographics As of August 2016, there were 6,807 registered members ...
.
Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council is a Tribal Council representing First Nation communities in north-central Alberta, Canada. The council is based in Atikameg, Alberta. Member First Nations Current First Nation members are: * Loon River First Nation ...
is based in Atikameg, Alberta with five members: The
Loon River First Nation The Loon River First Nation ( cr, ᒫᑿ ᓰᐲᐩ, mâkwa-sîpîy)is a First Nations band government in northern Alberta. A signatory to Treaty 8, it controls three Indian reserves In Canada, an Indian reserve (french: réserve indienne) is ...
is headquartered in
Red Earth Creek Red Earth Creek is a hamlet in Alberta, Canada within the Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17. It is located east of Highway 88, between the Town of Slave Lake and the Hamlet of Fort Vermilion, and has an elevation of . This hamlet is in ...
with reserves to the immediate west near Loon Lake. The
Lubicon Lake Band The Lubicon Lake Band is a Cree First Nations band government in northern Alberta, Canada. Missed by government agents during the signing of Treaty 8 in 1899, the Lubicon community was long without federal support. Seeking to have their tradi ...
is based in the settlement of Little Buffalo, approximately east of
Peace River The Peace River (french: links=no, rivière de la Paix) 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 joins the Athabasca River in th ...
. The Peerless Trout First Nation is located in Peerless Lake on the
Peerless Trout 238 Peerless Trout 238 is an Indian reserve of the Peerless Trout First Nation in Alberta, located within the Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17 The Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17 is a municipal district (MD) occupying a remote a ...
reserve, about west of Red Earth Creek.
Whitefish Lake First Nation The Whitefish Lake First Nation ( cr, ᐊᑎᐦᑲᒣᐠ, atihkamek) is a First Nations band government in northern Alberta. Headquartered in Atikameg, it controls three Indian reserves, Utikoomak Lake 155, Utikoomak Lake 155A, and Utikoomak La ...
is based in Atikameg, on the western shore of Utikuma Lake on the
Utikoomak Lake 155 Utikoomak Lake 155 is an Indian reserve of the Whitefish Lake First Nation in Alberta, located within Northern Sunrise County and Big Lakes County. It is 61 kilometers north of High Prairie, Alberta, High Prairie. In the 2016 Canadian Census, it r ...
reserve, north of High Prairie. The
Woodland Cree First Nation The 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. As of September, 2010 ...
is located in the hamlet of
Cadotte Lake Cadotte Lake is an unincorporated community in northern Alberta, Canada within Northern Sunrise County. It is located on the northern shore of the homonymous lake, along Highway 986, east of Peace River and west of the Bicentennial Highway ( ...
on the
Woodland Cree 226 Woodland Cree 226 is an Indian reserve of the Woodland Cree First Nation in Alberta, located within Northern Sunrise County. It is 48 kilometres northeast of Peace River. In the 2016 Canadian Census The 2016 Canadian census was an enumeration ...
reserve, northeast of Peace River. Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council, based out of the town of
Slave Lake Slave Lake is a town in northern Alberta, Canada that is surrounded by the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124. It is approximately northwest of Edmonton. It is located on the southeast shore of Lesser Slave Lake at the junction o ...
, Alberta is, as the name suggests, a Tribal Council of First Nations surrounding Lesser Slave Lake. Member Nations include: The Driftpile First Nation, based in Driftpile, on the Drift Pile River 150 reserve, west of Slave Lake. The
Kapawe'no First Nation The Kapawe'no First Nation ( cr, ᑲᐹᐏᐣ, kapâwin) is a band government in Alberta, Canada. It is headquartered at Grouard, Alberta, which is near High Prairie. Indian Reserves Six Indian reserves are governed by the band: * Kapawe'no Firs ...
is headquartered at
Grouard Grouard, also known as Grouard Mission, is a hamlet in northern Alberta within Big Lakes County. It was previously an incorporated municipality between 1909 and 1944. Grouard is located north of Highway 2, approximately northeast of Grande ...
, which is near High Prairie. They have six reserves, predominately located west of Lesser Slave Lake. The
Sawridge First Nation The Sawridge First Nation is a First Nations band government in northern Alberta. Headquartered in the town of Slave Lake, it controls two Indian reserves, Sawridge 150G Sawridge 150G is an Indian reserve of the Sawridge First Nation in Albert ...
is based in Slave Lake and the two reserves,
Sawridge 150G Sawridge 150G is an Indian reserve of the Sawridge First Nation in Alberta, located within the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124. It is adjacent to the eastern boundary of the town of Slave Lake Slave Lake is a town in norther ...
and 150H, are adjacent to the town. The
Sucker Creek First Nation Sucker Creek First Nation ( cr, ᓇᒦᐲ ᓰᐲᓯᐢ, namîpî sîpîsis) is a Cree First Nations band government whose reserve community is located along the southwestern shore of Lesser Slave Lake near Enilda, Alberta. It is a Treaty 8 Firs ...
is based in Enilda, east of High Prairie, on the
Sucker Creek 150A Sucker Creek 150A is an Indian reserve of the Sucker Creek First Nation in Alberta, located within Big Lakes County. It is 22 kilometres south of High Prairie. In the 2016 Canadian Census The 2016 Canadian census was an enumeration of Canadian ...
reserve. Finally, the Swan River First Nation, near
Kinuso Kinuso ( cr, script=Cans, ᑭᓄᓭᐤ, ) is a hamlet in northern Alberta, Canada within Big Lakes County, and surrounded by the Swan River First Nation reserve. It is located approximately west of Slave Lake and 71 km east of High Prairie ...
, west of Slave Lake, controls the
Swan River 150E Swan River 150E is a Cree First Nation reserve in Kinuso, Alberta, Canada. It is located northwest of Edmonton Edmonton ( ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta. Edmonton is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and ...
and Assineau River 150F reserves. The Little Red River Cree Nation is based out of the settlement of
John D'Or Prairie John D'Or Prairie is a First Nations settlement within the John D'Or Prairie 215 Indian reserve in northern Alberta, Canada. It is located on the Lawrence River, upstream from the Peace River, and south of the Caribou Mountains. It has an eleva ...
, Alberta, east of
Fort Vermilion Fort Vermilion is a Hamlet (place), hamlet on the Peace River in northern Alberta, Canada, within Mackenzie County. Established in 1788, Fort Vermilion shares the title of oldest European settlement in Alberta with Fort Chipewyan. Fort Vermilio ...
, on the
John D'Or Prairie 215 John D'Or Prairie 215 ''(Jean D’Or in French)'' is an Indian reserve of the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, Canada. It is located east of the Town of High Level on Highway 58 and is surrounded by Mackenzie County Mackenzi ...
reserve. They are a member of the
North Peace Tribal Council The North Peace Tribal Council represents five First Nations in northwestern Alberta, Canada. The North Peace Tribal Council was incorporated in 1987, by the Beaver First Nation, Dene Tha' First Nation, Little Red River Cree First Nation, and Tallcr ...
based out of High Level, Alberta. The Mikisew Cree First Nation is based in the community of Fort Chipewyan on the western tip of Lake Athabasca, approximately north of Fort McMurray. They are not a member of a Tribal Council. Fort Chipewyan, one of the oldest European settlements in Alberta, was established in 1788 by the
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 is present-day Western Canada and Northwestern Ontario. With great weal ...
as a fur trading post.
Western Cree Tribal Council Western Cree Tribal Council is a Tribal Council representing First Nation communities in the Peace River Country of Alberta, Canada. The council is based in Valleyview, Alberta. Member First Nations Current First Nation members are: * Duncan's Fi ...
is based out of Valleyview, Alberta. Cree member Nations are:
Duncan's First Nation Duncan's First Nation is a First Nation in northwestern Alberta, Canada. It operates as an Indian band In Canada, an Indian band or band (french: bande indienne, link=no), sometimes referred to as a First Nation band (french: bande de la Pre ...
is based in
Brownvale Brownvale is a hamlet in northern Alberta, Canada within the Municipal District of Peace No. 135. It is located on Highway 737 less than off Highway 2, approximately southwest of the Town of Peace River and southwest of Grimshaw. Duncan's ...
, adjacent to the reserve
Duncan's 151A Duncan's 151A is an Indian reserve of the Duncan's First Nation in Alberta, located within the Municipal District of Peace No. 135. It is 39 kilometers southwest of Peace River The Peace River (french: links=no, rivière de la Paix) is a rive ...
, southwest of Peace River. The
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation The Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation ( cr, ᓇᒣᐢ ᓵᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ, namês sâkahikan) is a First Nations band government or "band", part of the Cree ethnic group, a member of the Western Cree Tribal Council, and a party to Treaty 8. The band con ...
is on the
Sturgeon Lake 154 Sturgeon Lake 154 is an Indian reserve of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation in northern Alberta, Canada that is surrounded by the Municipal District of Greenview No. 16. It is east of the City of Grande Prairie at an elevation of . Geography Th ...
reserve, west of Valleyview.


Plains Cree ()


Downstream people ()

Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs North Battleford is a city in west-central Saskatchewan, Canada. It is the seventh largest city in the province and is directly across the North Saskatchewan River from the Town of Battleford. Together, the two communities are known as "The Batt ...
is a Tribal Council located in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Members are: Ahtahkakoop First Nation,
Moosomin First Nation The Moosomin First Nation ( cr, ᒨᓱᒥᓂᕽ ''môsominihk'')Wolvengrey, Arok, editor. Cree: Words. Regina, University of Regina Press, 2001https://itwewina.altlab.app/word/m%C3%B4sominihk//ref> is a Cree First Nation band government in Cochin, ...
,
Mosquito-Grizzly Bear's Head-Lean Man Mosquito, Grizzly Bear's Head, Lean Man First Nations ( asb, Capų́ga-Matópa-Hústaga oyáde) is the name of an Assiniboine First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada. It is home to a population of about 300. Origin of the Name and the Constitution o ...
,
Red Pheasant First Nation The Red Pheasant Cree Nation ( cr, ᒥᑭᓯᐘᒌᕽ, mikisiwacîhk) is a Plains Cree First Nations band government in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The band's sole reserve, Red Pheasant 108, is south of North Battleford. History ...
,
Saulteaux First Nation Saulteaux First Nation ( oj, Ginoozhe-zaaga'iganiing Nakawewag, "the Saulteaux at Jackfish Lake") is a Saulteaux Anishinaabe First Nation band government, whose reserves are located near Cochin, Saskatchewan. In February 2012, the First Nation had ...
, and
Sweetgrass First Nation History The Sweetgrass First Nation ( cr, ᐑᐦᑲᓱᑭᓭᔨᐣ, wîhkaso-kisêyin) is a Cree First Nation reserve in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan, Canada. Their territory is located 35 kilometers west of Battleford. The reserve was establishe ...
.
File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council Fort Qu'Appelle is a town in Canadian province of Saskatchewan located in the Qu'Appelle River valley north-east of Regina, between Echo and Mission Lakes of the Fishing Lakes. It is not to be confused with the once-significant nearby to ...
is a Tribal Council based in
Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan Fort Qu'Appelle is a town in Canadian province of Saskatchewan located in the Qu'Appelle River valley north-east of Regina, between Echo and Mission Lakes of the Fishing Lakes. It is not to be confused with the once-significant nearby t ...
. Cree member Nations are:
Little Black Bear First Nation Little Black Bear First Nation ( cr, ᑲᐢᑭᑌᐤ ᒪᐢᑿ ᒪᐢᑯᓯᐢ ''kaskitêw-maskwa-maskosis'') is a Cree and Assiniboine First Nation in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Their reserves include: * Little Black Bear 84 * Little B ...
,
Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation The Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation ( oj, mashkawabiidoong, In Syllabics, written as ᒪᐢᑯᐘᐲᑕᐣᐠ) is a Saulteaux band government in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Their reserves include: * Last Mountain Lake 80A, shared with 6 other ba ...
,
Nekaneet Cree Nation Nekaneet Cree Nation ( cr, ᑳ ᓃᑳᓃᐟ ''kâ-nîkânît'')Wolvengrey, Arok, editor. Cree: Words. Regina, University of Regina Press, 2001https://itwewina.altlab.app/word/k%C3%A2-n%C3%AEk%C3%A2n%C3%AEt//ref> is a Cree First Nations band g ...
,
Okanese First Nation The Okanese First Nation ( cr, ᐅᑭᓃᐢ, ''okinîs'', literal meaning: ''Little Rose-hip'')Wolvengrey, Arok, editor. Cree: Words. Regina, University of Regina Press, 2001https://itwewina.altlab.app/word/okin%C3%AEs@3//ref> is a Cree-Saulteaux ...
,
Pasqua First Nation Pasqua First Nation ( cr, ᐸᐢᒁᐤ paskwâw) is a Saulteaux- Cree First Nation in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Their reserves include: * Last Mountain Lake 80A, shared with 6 other bands * Pasqua 79 * Treaty Four Reserve Grounds 77, shared ...
,
Peepeekisis Cree Nation Peepeekisis Cree Nation (Band number 384)( cr, ᐲᐦᐲᑭᓰᐢ, ''pîhpîkisîs'', literal meaning: ''Sparrow Hawk'') is a Cree First Nations in Canada, First Nation in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Its Indian reserve, reserves include Peepee ...
, Piapot Cree Nation, and
Star Blanket Cree Nation Star Blanket Cree Nation ( cr, ᐊᒑᐦᑯᓴ ᑳ ᐅᑕᑯᐦᐱᐟ ''acâhkosa kâ-otakohpit'', meaning ''One who has stars as a blanket'') is a First Nations band government in Saskatchewan, Canada. Its reserves are in the Fort Qu'Appelle ...
Meadow Lake Tribal Council The Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) is a tribal council representing nine First Nation band governments in the province of Saskatchewan. The council is based in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. Services MLTC provides and coordinates health care, ed ...
is a Tribal Council based in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan with nine member First Nations. The members with Plains Cree populations are
Flying Dust First Nation The Flying Dust First Nation ( cr, ᑳ ᐅᐦᐹᐘᐦᑳᐢᑕᕽ ''kâ-ohpâwahkâstahk'') is a Cree First Nation band government located adjacent to the city of Meadow Lake in Saskatchewan, Canada. Highway 55 goes through the band's reserve ...
,
Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation Makwa Sahgaiehcan is a Cree First Nation band government in Loon Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada. Their reserve is northeast of Lloydminster. The English translation of "Makwa Sahgaiehcan" is from Plains Cree language Plains Cree ( endonym: ) is ...
, Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation, and
Waterhen Lake First Nation Waterhen Lake First Nation ( cr, ᓯᐦᑭᐦᑊ ᓵᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᕽ ''sihkihp sâkahikanihk'') is a Cree First Nation band government located in northwestern Saskatchewan, Canada. As of October 2018 the total membership of the Waterhen Lake F ...
Saskatoon Tribal Council The Saskatoon Tribal Council is a tribal council in the Treaty 6 Territory representing seven First Nation band governments in the province of Saskatchewan. Its head offices are located in the city of Saskatoon. Demographics The seven First N ...
is, as the name suggests, a Tribal Council-based out of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Cree member Nations are:
Mistawasis Nêhiyawak Mistawasis Nêhiyawak ( cr, ᒥᐢᑕᐚᓯᐢ ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐘᐠ ''mistawâsis nêhiyawak'') is a Cree First Nations in Canada, First Nation band government in Leask, Saskatchewan, Canada. Their Indian settlement, settlement is roughly sixty-eight ...
,
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation The Muskeg Lake Cree Nation ( cr, script=Cans, ᒪᐢᑫᑯ ᓵᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ, ) is a Cree First Nation band government in Marcelin, Saskatchewan, Canada. The Muskeg Lake Cree Nation is affiliated with the Saskatoon Tribal Council, along with ...
, Muskoday First Nation, and One Arrow First Nation.
Touchwood Agency Tribal Council Touchwood is decayed wood used for tinder. The phrase "touch wood" is another way of describing knocking on wood. The terms may also refer to Geography in Canada * Touchwood Hills, a range of hills in Saskatchewan * Rural Municipality of Touchwoo ...
, based in
Punnichy, Saskatchewan Punnichy ( 2016 population: ) is a village in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan within the Rural Municipality of Mount Hope No. 279 and Census Division No. 10. It is approximately northeast of the City of Regina. This village is part o ...
, is a Tribal Council of four First Nations, collectively known as the Touchwood Hills Cree (). The Cree Nations are: Day Star First Nation, George Gordon First Nation,
Kawacatoose First Nation The Kawacatoose First Nation ( cr, ᑲᐚᐦᑲᑐᐢ ''kawâhkatos'')Wolvengrey, Arok, editor. Cree: Words. Regina, University of Regina Press, 2001https://itwewina.altlab.app/word/kaw%C3%A2hkatos@2//ref> is a Plains Cree First Nations band gove ...
, and
Muskowekwan First Nation Muskowekwan First Nation ( oj, Mashkawigwaning) is a Saulteaux (Ojibway) First Nation who inhabit approximately 100 km northwest of Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada. As of May, 2008, the First Nation has 1,517 registered people, of which their ...
. Yorkton Tribal Council is a Tribal Council based in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Cree members are:
Kahkewistahaw First Nation Kahkewistahaw First Nation ( cr, ᑳᐦ ᑮᐑᐢᑕᐦᐋᐤ kâh-kîwîstahâw) is a Saulteaux- and Cree-speaking First Nation in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. The name Kahkewistahaw means "Eagle flying in the air". Their reserves include: * ...
and
Ocean Man First Nation The Ocean Man First Nation ( cr, ᑭᐦᒋᑲᒦᐏᔨᐣ ''kihcikamîwiyin'') is an Assiniboine, Cree, and Saulteaux band government in southeastern Saskatchewan, Canada. Chief ''Kitchi-Kah-Me-Win'' (Great Seaman or Ocean Man, also spelt Kiche ...
. Without affiliation with any Tribal Council: Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation,
Cowessess First Nation Cowessess First Nation ( oj, Gaa-awaazhishiid) is a Saulteaux First Nations band government in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. The band's main reserve is Cowessess 73, one of several adjoining Indigenous communities in the Qu'Appelle Valley. The b ...
,
Ochapowace Nation The Ochapowace Nation ( cr, ᐅᒑᐳᐍᐢ ''ocâpowês'') is a Cree First Nation in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Reserves Reserves include: * Ochapowace 71 * Ochapowace 71-1 * Ochapowace 71-2 * Ochapowace 71-3 * Ochapowace 71-4 * Ochapowa ...
,
Onion Lake Cree Nation The Onion Lake Cree Nation ( cr, ᐑᐦᒉᑲᐢᑯᓰᐏᓵᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᕽ, wîhcêkaskosîwi-sâkahikanihk) is a Plains Cree First Nations band government in Canada, straddling the Alberta/Saskatchewan provincial border approximately no ...
,
Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation The Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation ( asb, Šiyónidè oyáde)Collette, Vincent. “Nakoda Vocabulary and Phrases.” Academia.edu, November 14, 2017Link is a First Nation in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, who reside on the Pheasant Rump ...
,
White Bear First Nations The White Bear First Nations ( cr, ᐚᐱ ᒪᐢᑿ ''wâpi-maskwa'', asb, Matóska oyádeCollette, Vincent. “Nakoda Vocabulary and Phrases.” Academia.edu, November 14, 2017Link ) are a First Nation band government in southeastern Saskatche ...
.


Upstream people ()

Agency Chiefs Tribal Council is a Tribal Council located in Spiritwood, Saskatchewan representing three First Nations:
Pelican Lake First Nation Pelican Lake First Nation ( cr, ᒐᐦᒐᐦᑭᐤ ᓵᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᕽ ''cahcahkiw-sâkahikanihk'', meaning: ''at the Pelican Lake'') is a member of the Federation of Saskatchewan First Nations, the body that represents 74 First Nations in Sask ...
,
Big River First Nation The Big River First Nation is a part of the Cree Nation and is located in the Saskatchewan province of Canada. The Big River First Nation is also called ᒥᐢᑕᐦᐃ ᓰᐲᕁ ''mistahi-sîpîhk'' in Cree meaning "at the big river". They are ...
, and
Witchekan Lake First Nation Witchekan Lake First Nation ( cr, ᐑᒌᑲᐣ ᓵᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᕽ ''wîhcîkan sâkahikanihk'', meaning: ''at the stinking Lake'') is a Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada. Their reserve Reserve or reserves may refer to: Places * Reserv ...
. Battlefords Tribal Council is based in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, The three member Nations are
Lucky Man Cree Nation The Lucky Man Cree Nation ( cr, ᐸᐯᐍ papêwê) is a Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada. After spending more than a hundred years amalgamated into the Little Pine First Nation, the band was awarded the Lucky Man Reserve, on the easte ...
,
Little Pine First Nation The Little Pine First Nation ( cr, ᒥᓇᐦᐃᑯᓯᕽ ''minahikosihk'') is a Plains Cree First Nations band government in Saskatchewan, Canada. Their reserves include: * Little Pine 116 * Min-a-he-quo-sis 116A * Min-a-he-quo-sis 116C Littl ...
, and
Poundmaker First Nation The Poundmaker Cree Nation ( cr, ᐲᐦᑐᑲᐦᐊᓇᐱᐏᔨᐣ, pîhtikwahânapiwiyin) is a Cree First Nations band government, whose reserve community is located near Cut Knife, Saskatchewan. It is a Treaty 6 nation, started by the famous Cree ...
. Interlake Reserves Tribal Council is a Tribal Council based in Fairford, Manitoba. The council has six Nations as members but the only Cree member is Peguis First Nation. Without affiliation with any Tribal Council:
Big Island Lake Cree Nation Big Island Lake Cree Nation ( cr, ᒥᐢᑎᑯᐢᑳᐤ ᓵᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ''mistikoskâw-sâkahikan'', meaning ''many trees lake'') is a Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada. They have reserved for themselves one reserve Reserve or reserve ...
, Thunderchild First Nation. Tribal Chiefs Ventures is a Tribal council based in Edmonton with the following Cree members: Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Heart Lake First Nation, Frog Lake First Nation, and Kehewin Cree Nation.


Beaver Hills Cree ()

Maskwacis Cree Tribal Council is based in the unincorporated community of Maskwacis, (formerly Hobbema) Alberta, located south of Edmonton. The members are Ermineskin Cree Nation, Louis Bull Tribe, Montana First Nation, and Samson Cree Nation. All four members have individual reserves that surround the community of Maskwacis: Ermineskin 138, Louis Bull 138B, Montana 139, Samson 137, and Samson 137A. And all four share the reserve of Pigeon Lake 138A, about to the northwest. Yellowhead Tribal Council is based in Morinville, Alberta. Member nations are: Alexander First Nation, Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nation, O'Chiese First Nation, and Sunchild First Nation. The Alexander First Nation is located on the reserve of Alexander 134, west of Morinville and northwest of Edmonton. Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nation is based on the Alexis 133 reserve, outside Glenevis, northwest of Edmonton. The O'Chiese First Nation and Sunchild First Nation control the reserves O'Chiese 203 and Sunchild 202 which are adjacent to each other northwest of Rocky Mountain House. Not affiliated with any Tribal Council: Enoch Cree Nation, Paul First Nation, and Saddle Lake Cree Nation Enoch Cree Nation is located on their main reserve, Enoch Cree Nation 135, adjacent to the western boundary of the city of Edmonton. The Paul First Nation is based on the Wabamun 133A reserve, west of Edmonton. Saddle Lake Cree Nation is one of the most populous Nations in Canada with 11,235 people . The Nation is located in Saddle Lake, Alberta on the Saddle Lake 125 reserve, west of St. Paul, Alberta.


United States

Fort Peck Indian Reservation located near Fort Peck, Montana Chippewa Cree on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation in northern Montana
Fort Belknap Indian Reservation The Fort Belknap Indian Reservation ( ats, ’ak3ɔ́ɔyɔ́ɔ, lit=the fence or ats, ’ɔ’ɔ́ɔ́ɔ́nííítaan’ɔ, lit=Gros Ventre tribe, label=none) is shared by two Native American tribes, the A'aninin (Gros Ventre) and the Nakoda ...
located at Fort Belknap Agency, Montana


Other First Nations

Papaschase First Nation, removed from land that now makes up southeast Edmonton, were a party to Treaty 6 but are not recognized by the Canadian government.


Ethnobotany

The Cree use the pitch of Abies balsamea for menstrual irregularity, and take an infusion of the bark and sometimes the wood for coughs. They use the pitch and grease used as an ointment for scabies and boils. They apply a poultice of pitch applied to cuts. They also use a decoction of pitch and sturgeon oil used for tuberculosis, and take an infusion of bark for tuberculosis. They also use the boughs to make brush shelters and use the wood to make paddles.


Hudson Bay Cree subgroup

The
Hudson Bay Hudson Bay ( crj, text=ᐐᓂᐯᒄ, translit=Wînipekw; crl, text=ᐐᓂᐹᒄ, translit=Wînipâkw; iu, text=ᑲᖏᖅᓱᐊᓗᒃ ᐃᓗᐊ, translit=Kangiqsualuk ilua or iu, text=ᑕᓯᐅᔭᕐᔪᐊᖅ, translit=Tasiujarjuaq; french: b ...
Cree use a decoction of the leaves of ''Kalmia angustifolia'' for diarrhea, but they consider the plant to be poisonous.


Woods Cree subgroup

The Woods Cree make use of Ribes glandulosum using a decoction of the stem, either by itself or mixed with wild red raspberry, to prevent clotting after birth, eat the berries as food, and use the stem to make a bitter tea. They make use of Vaccinium myrtilloides, using a decoction of leafy stems used to bring menstruation and prevent pregnancy, to make a person sweat, to slow excessive menstrual bleeding, to bring blood after childbirth, and to prevent miscarriage. They also use the berries to dye porcupine quills, eat the berries raw, make them into jam and eat it with fish and bannock, and boil or pound the sun-dried berries into pemmican. They use the berries of the ''minus'' subspecies of Vaccinium myrtilloides to colour porcupine quills, and put the firm, ripe berries on a string to wear as a necklace.Leighton, Anna L., 1985, Wild Plant Use by the Woods Cree () of East-Central Saskatchewan, Ottawa. National Museums of Canada. Mercury Series, page 64 They also incorporate the berries of the ''minus'' subspecies of ''Vaccinium myrtilloides'' into their cuisine. They store the berries by freezing them outside during the winter, mix the berries with boiled fish eggs, livers, air bladders and fat and eat them, eat the berries raw as a snack food, and stew them with fish or meat.


Cree people

* Janice Acoose, author, of Sakimay ( Saulteaux) and Ninankawe Marival Métis ancestry * Nathaniel Arcand (Alexander First Nation), actor * Ethan Bear, (b. 1997), NHL hockey player for the Carolina Hurricanes * Irene Bedard, actress * Robyn Bourgeois, author and academic * Joe Buffalo, actor and skateboarder * Ashley Callingbull-Burnham (Enoch Cree Nation), 2015 Mrs. Universe winner, actress and first nations activist * Harold Cardinal, writer, political leader, teacher, and lawyer * Lorne Cardinal, actor * Tantoo Cardinal, actor * Jonathan Cheechoo, NHL and KHL hockey player * Belinda Daniels, language teacher *Billy Diamond, political leader, first Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) *Neil Diamond (filmmaker), Neil Diamond, filmmaker * Connie Fife, poet * Theoren Fleury, retired NHL hockey player, humanitarian, spokesperson, and author * Ralph Steinhauer, Ralph Garvin Steinhauer, List of lieutenant governors of Alberta, tenth Lieutenant Governor of Alberta and first Aboriginal peoples in Canada, Aboriginal to hold that post. * Edward Gamblin, musician * Mary Greyeyes (1920–2011), the first First Nations woman to join the Canadian Armed Forces * Michael Greyeyes, actor * Tomson Highway, playwright, librettist of the first Cree-language opera * Tyson Houseman, actor * Helen Knott, activist and author * Melina Laboucan-Massimo, climate justice advocate * Cody Lightning, actor * Ovide Mercredi, National chief of the Assembly of First Nations * Delia Opekokew, lawyer and activist * Bronson Pelletier, actor * Romeo Saganash, Member of Parliament for Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, Quebec * Buffy Sainte-Marie, singer * Paul Seesequasis, writer and journalist * Roseanne Supernault, actress * Clayton Thomas-Müller, activist and memoirist * Richard Throssel (1882–1933), photographer * Michelle Thrush, actor * Loretta Todd, film director * Gordon Tootoosis, actor * Shane Yellowbird, country singer * Alfred Young Man (Chippewa Cree Indians of the Rocky Boy's Reservation, b. 1948), educator, writer, curator, artist


See also

* Cree syllabics * (Cree law) * James Bay Cree hydroelectric conflict * Michif * Okichitaw * Shaking Tent Ceremony


Notes


References

* *


External links


Cree cultural site

The East Cree language web

The Cree-Innu linguistic atlas

Grand Council of the Crees (GCC) and Cree Nation Government
– Official website
Canada Government – Summary of the Agreement on the Cree Nation Governance

The Plains Cree – Ethnographic, Historical and Comparative Study by David Mandelbaum

Lac La Ronge Band website

Little Red River Cree Nation website

Brief history of Cree
from Canadian Geographic
CBC Digital Archives – James Bay Project and the Cree



Fisher River Cree Nation Official Website

The Gift of Language and Culture website

CBC Digital Archives – Eeyou Istchee: Land of the Cree
{{authority control Cree, Algonquian peoples First Nations in Alberta First Nations in British Columbia First Nations in Manitoba First Nations in Ontario First Nations in Quebec First Nations in Saskatchewan First Nations in the Northwest Territories Great Lakes tribes Plains tribes Native American tribes in Montana