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History - Saddle Lake Cree Nation

History of Saddle Lake

The Saddle Lake Cree Nation (onihcikiskwapiwinihk in Cree)  is located in central Alberta approximately 180 km northeast of Edmonton. Saddle Lake Cree Nation is signatory
to Treaty 6, which was signed at Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan, on 9 September 1876. Saddle Lake is a forced amalgamation of four tribes: Onchimanhos/Chief Little Hunter, Seenum Band/Chief John Seenum, Blue Quill Band/Chief Blue Quill and 
Wasatnow Band/Chief Bear Ears. The traditional language of the Saddle Lake peoples is Plains Cree. 
 
The governance at Saddle Lake is unique in that it has two separate councils and chiefs governing their two reserves — Saddle Lake Cree Nation and the Whitefish Lake First Nation (often called “Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation” to distinguish it from a similarly named group in Northern Alberta). 
According to the Indian Act, the two have a shared government and are considered to be one nation.
As of February 2022, the registered population is 11,285 with the majority of members living on-reserve 
(6,757).
 
Reserves
There are three reserves under the governance of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, one of which is shared with five other bands:
  • 96.20 hectares (237.7 acres) Blue Quills First Nation Indian reserve, formerly known as the “Blue Quill Indian Reserve 127”, shared with five other bands 
     
  • ∙25,780.60 hectares (63,705.2 acres) Saddle Lake Indian Reserve 125, containing the community of Saddle Lake, Alberta  
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  • ∙4,542.70 hectares (11,225.3 acres) White Fish Lake Indian Reserve 128; the reserve is also known as “Whitefish Lake Indian Reserve 128” or as “Goodfish Lake Indian Reserve 128”, and occasionally as “Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake Indian Reserve 128” 
 
Saddle Lake Indian Reserve 125 is bordered by Smoky Lake County, the County of St. Paul No. 19, and 
County of Two Hills No. 21.