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Ahtahkakoop First Nation
Ahtahkakoop First Nation is commonly known as Sandy Lake.Let us not think of ourselves, but of our childrens children.
Chief Ahtahkakoop (Starblanket)
Born in 1816, Chief Ahtahkakoop, meaning Starblanket in Cree, rose to be a respected and tactical leader of the Cree Nation in the latter part of the 19th century.
At the onset of his leadership, the plains buffalo herds were more than abundant, providing the mainstay of social and economic balance so vital to the survival of its people.
The arrival of the European settlers would irrevocably alter this delicate balance, forcing Chief Ahtahkakoop to seek alternate means of survival for his own.
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In 1876, he and his cousin, Chief Mistawasis, were the two leading chiefs to sign Treaty #6 at Fort Carlton, agreeing to relocate his members to 67 square miles of reserve land, now known as Sandy Lake, near present day Prince Albert.
He died on December 4, 1896 at the age of 81. Despite the hardships and grueling decisions faced by Chief Ahtahkakoop, he remained revered by the Cree Nation, enough so for the reserve land that he is buried on to bear his name to this day.
Geography
A member of Fort Carlton Agency Council Treaty #6, Ahtahkakoop First Nation lies 72 kilometers northwest of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, covering an area of 17,347 hectares.Nestled along the shores of Sandy Lake, Ahtahkakoop is surrounded by meadows and lush, rolling parkland, ideal for hunting and fishing. The rich, fertile land also lends itself well to farming and ranching.
Arts and Culture
Crafting as expression of past and present tradition and culture is an integral part of the First Nations community.Artists produce an array of creations including birch bark baskets, tanned leather and bead-work gloves, mittens and moccasins, hand-sewn clothing, cushions, handbags, blankets and pillows, elk and moose horn carvings, drums, paintings and pow wow regalia.
Achievements and Progression
The Ahtahkakoop Nation is a progressive one, with an emphasis on education and opportunity:1971: Sandy Lake Chiefs hockey team capture title at the Saskatchewan Indian Hockey Championship
1978: Band member David Ahenakew appointed to the Order of Canada
1988: Official opening of the on-reserve Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment
Cree Nation Treatment Centre opens
1994: Official unveiling of the historic flag designed to symbolize the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation
First high school built and opened, adjoining the existing elementary school
2000: Band-owned Ahtahkakoop Publishing Company publishes acclaimed historic book titled: Ahtahkakoop: The Epic Account of a Cree Head Chief, His People, and Their Struggle for Survival, 1816-1896
2001: Ahtahkakoop Justice Program formed, including Youth Justice, Youth Intervention and Justice Worker/Court Worker representatives
2003: Grand opening of the Ahtahkakoop Health Centre
Members of Ahtahkakoop first nation also have full access to a Child and Family Services Agency, daycare facilities, adult education programs, two churches, fire hall, community hall, band office, arena, sports grounds, gymnasium and Lonesome Pine Store, providing groceries to fuel and a variety of First Nations artifacts.
For more information check out Ahtahkakoop First Nation
Just the facts please
Current StatisticsSource: 2006 Statistics Canada Census)
2006 Population 1,101
2001 Population 1,099
Population Increase 0.2%
Land Area (square km) 177.10
Population Density (per square km) 6.2
Total Private Dwellings 321
Total Population 15 years and over 705
Knowledge of Aboriginal language 37.4%
