Muskowekwan First Nation

Muskowekwan First Nation is a Saulteaux (Ojibway) First Nation who inhabit approximately 100 km northwest of Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada. As of May, 2008, the First Nation have 1,517 registered people, of which their on-Reserve population was 400.

Chief Ka-nee-na-wup (Anishinaabe language: Geniinewab, "One Who Sits Like an Eagle") and his Saulteaux band lived along the Upper Qu'Appelle Lakes prior to signing Treaty 4 on September 15, 1874. When Ka-nee-na-wup died, his son Muscowequan or Muskowekwan (Anishinaabe language: Maskawigwan, "Hard Quill") became chief. A reserve was surveyed in 1883, incorporating the settlement where they had already started farming.

Treaty 4 (September 15, 1874) On September 15, 1874, the Government of Canada signed Treaty 4 with “the Cree, Saulteaux and other Indians,” including Chieft Ka-kee-na-wup on behalf of Muskowekwan First Nation. Treaty 4 has also been known as Qu’appelle Treaty, as its first signings were conducted at Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan on September 15, 1874. Additional signings or adhesions would continue until September 1877. Muskowekwan First Nation occupies the Muskowekwan Reserve which borders on the town of Lestock, Saskatchewan and covers 16479 acres. At the signing of Treaty 4 on September 15, 1874, there were 66 members present, 1 councilor, and a chief. The Muskowekwan First Nation occupies Indian Reserve No. 85 (IR 85) in southern Saskatchewan. The First Nations language of these people is Saulteaux (Plains Ojibway). Treaty 4 was negotiated by the Canadian government in order to gain land for European settlement, agriculture, and industry, as well as for the transcontinental railway that would run through southern Saskatchewan. A key demand of the Cree and the Saulteaux First Nations was for education. Since the buffalo had nearly vanished from the prairies, they wanted to acquire new tools that would ensure a strong and prosperous future. Under Treaty 4, the Cree and Salteaux First Nations relinquished most of current day southern Saskatchewan. In return, they received small parcels of land, as well as long-term government commitments in a number of areas, including education.

Treaty 4 signatories from the chiefs as follows: Ka-kii-shi-way (Ochapowace), Pis-qua (Pasqua), Ka-wez-ance (Cowessess), Ka-kee-na-wup (Muskowekwan), Kus-kee-tew-mus-coo-musqua (Little Black Bear), Ka-ne-on-us-ka-tew (Gordon), Can-ah-ha-cha-pew (Peepeekisis), Kii-si-caw-chuck (Day Star), Ka-ra-ca-toose (Kawacatoose), Ka-kii-nis-ta-haw (Kahkewistehaw), Cha-ca-chas (Ochapowace), Wa-pii-moose-too-sus (Star Blanket), Meemay (Cote)

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