Fox Lake Cree Nation

Described in historical works as the “Swampy Cree” or the “Homeguard Cree, these people are distinguishable by their relative distance to York Factory from their interior Traditional Territory. The Cree of the region led a semi-nomadic life harvesting certain game at different times of the year. Today, these people are commonly known as Fox Lake Cree Nation, Tataskweyak (Split Lake) Cree First Nation, York Factory First Nation, War Lake First Nation and Shamattawa First Nation.

In 1947, formal recognition was given by Canada as a separate Band. The Fox Lake Cree Nation was one of two new Bands established from the main body of the York Factory First Nation. The Fox Lake Cree Nation considered themselves independent long before Canada acknowledged them as a separate Band. Through the parent Band, York Factory, the Fox Lake Cree Nation is a signatory to the 1910 Adhesion to Treaty #5.

The Fox Lake Members had traditionally occupied lands along the Hudson Bay coastline and inland, gradually settling in and around Fox Lake, Bird and Gillam areas along the Hudson Bay rail line to Churchill. In 1985, Bird was made into reserve and a home community was established there. However, the majority of members continue to reside in the Town of Gillam and have integrated themselves into the community. Gillam is located approximately 1023 kilometers north of Winnipeg and 203 air kilometers northeast of Thompson. Bird, situated adjacent to the Limestone Generating Station, is located 53 kilometers east of the Town of Gillam.

Presently, there are nearly 1000 Members of the Fox Lake Cree Nation. Approximately 500 Members live in the communities of Bird and Gillam. Approximately 350 Members reside in Manitoba communities such as Churchill, Thompson, and Winnipeg. Approximately 150 Members live outside Manitoba.

The Bird Reserve has a local population of some 200. It’s 40 plus homes and public buildings, constructed since 1985, are hooked up to a modern sewer and water system. A highway to Gillam provides for access to Gillam’s amenities and services. The railway between Gillam and Churchill is adjacent to the Reserve and a passenger train runs on alternating days to Gillam or to Churchill.
Gillam is a modern community with a relatively well-developed service industry. It is accessible by an all weather gravel road through Thompson, and by air and rail. With a local population of some 1300, it is the site of Manitoba Hydro’s generation North headquarters. Manitoba Hydro is the major local employer.

The Fox Lake Cree Nation has three Reserves located at Fox Lake, Armstrong Lake and Bird totaling 4300 acres. They still have an outstanding Treaty Land Entitlement with Canada and Manitoba stemming from the Adhesion to Treaty #5 and the Manitoba Natural Resources Transfer Agreement, 1930.

Fox Lake Cree Nation is one of nineteen First Nations in Manitoba, who is party to the Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement (TLEFA), negotiated in 1997 by the Treaty Land Entitlement Committee of Manitoba, Province of Manitoba and the Government of Canada. The Fox Lake Cree Nation has yet to ratify the TLEFA given Canada’s involvement in Hydro development in the 1960’s.

The Fox Lake Cree Nation elects its Council through its customary practice. There is no term of office. The Members follow the custom of the band and apply unwritten codes of conduct to its elected officials. The current Council consists of: Chief George Neepin, Councillor Shirley Neepin and Councillor Lawrence Flett. The elected officials oversee the operation of all Band programs with each Council member holding various portfolios.

Primary school aged children attend either the 3 classroom Fox Lake School, located on the Bird Reserve or attend the Gillam School. Junior and senior students must attend Gillam School where a full K to 12 curriculum is offered. The school in Bird is a modern 15,000 square foot brick structure commissioned in 2005. The facility includes three classrooms, library, gymnasium and computer lab and is complimented by outdoor hard surface play areas, play structures, a hockey rink, basketball half-court and a baseball diamond. The Fox Lake Cree Nation operates the Bird School while the Frontier School Division operates the Gillam School.

The Bird Reserve homes and buildings are serviced by a modern sewer and water treatment system, landline electrical hookup, and by MTS telephone services. Wireless internet is provided to the community of Bird via satellite and also has fibre optic line ready for the implementation of broadband for enhanced service.

Facilities in Bird include the Band administrative offices, health center, school, public works garage and facilities, and recreation center. The community has a convenience store located in the recreation center. The nearest RCMP detachment is in Gillam with the Reserve having two Band constables. Mail is collected in Gillam at Canada Post. A scheduled transportation service is available Monday to Saturday between Bird and Gillam. A range of public works, health, social services, housing and educational staff and programs are based in Bird and provide services to community Members living in Bird as well as in Gillam.

The Fox Lake Cree Nation has concluded an Impact Settlement Agreement (ISA) with Manitoba Hydro and the Province of Manitoba for past adverse effects, on the people and the land they traditionally occupied, stemming from Hydro development in and around the Gillam area. The provisions of the ISA include, but not limited to; cash, fee simple land, resource management, mitigation measures and pre-determined compensation.

The Fox Lake Cree Nation is currently involved in negotiations with Manitoba Hydro, for a potential equity share arrangement regarding the proposed Gull Rapids (Keeyask) and Conawapa hydroelectric generating stations. Beyond equity shared arrangements, business and employment opportunities, Fox Lake Cree Nation is also involved in implementing training programs that would enable Fox Lake Members to enhance their skills in preparation of meaningful participation through the planning, design, construction and operation of the proposed hydroelectric generating stations in the vicinity of the Fox Lake Traditional Territory.