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Ermineskin Cree Nation - Hosted By cs
The Ermineskin Cree Nation (Reserve #138) is one member of the Four Nations of Maskwacis, Alberta – located in Central Alberta about fifty miles south of Edmonton on Highway 2A, halfway between the towns of Ponoka and Wetaskiwin. The Ermineskin Cree Nations land base is approximately 25’000 acres. This area is traditionally known as the Bear Hills or Maskwacheesihk. The Cree people of the Ermineskin Cree Nation have a historical relationship that extends over centuries to the area of land that now comprises the Ermineskin Reserve. The Ermineskin Reserve was established in 1885. The Ermineskin Cree Nation belongs to the Treaty Six Group of Indian Tribes in Western Canada.
As with other First Nation communities in Canada the Ermineskin Cree Nation continues to maintain its close community identity through preservation of their long and proud history.
Although the communities of Maskwacis have benefited from a large oil and gas deposit on their lands, they also enjoy large tracts of prime agricultural land and property on one of Alberta’s more popular lakes (Pigeon Lake). Among the many services offered in the Maskwacis area include; the Maskwacis Health Authority, Maskwacis Police Service, ambulance and fire departments, a number of community recreation centers, as well as a Canadian Pacific rail line that runs through the reserve. Finally there are currently a number of small businesses that operate in the town site of Maskwacis.
To help teach and encourage native traditions and the Cree language, the Ermineskin Cree Nation hosts a number of schools including; Ermineskin Kindergarten, Ermineskin Primary, Ermineskin Elementary Junior Senior High, and also supports the Maskwachees Cultural College. The Ermineskin Schools are among the most technologically advanced schools in Canada, having iMAC computers in every classroom, of which all are Internet ready. Along with the school system native traditions are also maintained through a number of celebrations that occur throughout the year.
As the Ermineskin community moves into diversifying its economy away from the oil and gas revenues it must do so with strategies that allow the community to maintain its cultural identity. Working closely with the other regional First Nations and non-indigenous communities, Ermineskin can offer a number of resources and other advantages that will be key in attracting outside investment.
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