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Manitoba First Nations
First Nations civilizations date back approximately 12,000 years in Manitoba’s history. The province’s central location in Canada and North America provided a myriad of accessible natural resources in the form of prairies, lakes and forests.The name “Manitoba” has two possible origins. One translation comes from the Assiniboine language, “mini tobow”, meaning “lake of the prairie”. The favored origin stems from the Cree words of “maniot wapow”, meaning “the strait of the spirit”.
First Nations residing on the Manitoba plains relied heavily on the buffalo herds to provide their basic survival necessities of food, shelter and clothing. Tribes or bands with settlements near lakes and forested areas depended on fishing of pickerel and whitefish and hunting of beaver, moose, deer and caribou. Collecting of maple tree sap and harvesting wild nuts and berries also added to the menu.
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The arrival of European settlers and the fur trade era of 1670-1905 would distinctly alter the First Nations established way of life. The majority of trading in Manitoba took place at what is now the present day marketplace called “The Forks” in Winnipeg, where the Assiniboine and Red Rivers meet.
This era would also establish the creation of a new blood line, known as Métis. Descendants of French fur traders and First Nations mothers, the Métis people were most prevalent in Manitoba, especially in and around the Red River area.
As of January 2007, Manitoba is home to 124,410 registered First Nation members, with approximately 60% of members residing on reserve land. Sixty-three First Nations span the province, including Peguis First Nation and six of the twenty largest bands in the country. Twenty-three communities are not accessible by all-weather roads. (see concluding alphabetical listing)
The distinct linguistic families of Manitoba First Nations are derived from Algonquian (Cree and Ojibway-Cree), Siouan (Dakota) and Athapaskan (Chipewyan or Dene) and Michif (Métis).
Treaty numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10 cover the province of Manitoba, signed between 1871-1906. Neighboring tribes or bands in Saskatchewan shared in the signing of treaty numbers 2, 4, 5 and 6.
Five Manitoba First Nations, being Birdtail Sioux, Sioux Valley, Canupawakpa, Dakota Tipi and Dakota Plains, are not signed to Canadian treaties.
Artistic and Spiritual History Distinctive First Nations arts and crafts styles created throughout Manitoba’s history are as diverse as the province’s landscape.
The sacred connection to the Great Creator is evident through the reference of nature and animal form in artistic and spiritual expressions. Images of the eagle (love), buffalo (respect), bear (courage), beaver (wisdom), wolf (humility), turtle (truth) and sabe or legendary Bigfoot (honesty) are representative of the “Seven Sacred Teachings” and are an integral part of Manitoba First Nation’s cultural history.
The black bear, especially to the Plains Cree, was considered an object of reverence, and the hunting and killing of this particular animal involved ceremonial rituals to pay homage to the life that had been given. The bear’s skull was carefully preserved and raised on a tall pole one full season following its death for all tribe members to honor publicly one last time.
Ancient rock art is monument in evidence of early civilizations. “Petroforms”, an elaborate arrangement of rocks formed into animal shapes or geometric patterns, including mystic medicine wheels, “pictographs”, paintings on rock, and “petroglyphs”, rock carvings or engravings, have all been discovered in Manitoba.
Elaborate burial mounds, layers of elevated rocks carefully designed to signify and honor the deceased, dot the province.
The use of herbs and sacred objects for the purpose of maintaining overall well-being, and also in spiritual healing rituals, was a notable practice of many Manitoba First Nations, sometimes referred to as the “Grand Medicine Society”. Both male and female members were allowed to practice such rituals after enduring long periods of training and initiation.
The introduction of the bow and arrow and the molding of clay based pottery dates back thousands of years, with artifacts continuing to be uncovered on farmland and excavations sites.
The Cree First Nations were especially skilled in the weaving of blankets out of animal skins and furs and in the construction of snares and traps for catching small game.
Sturdy, oval snow shoes made from a webbing of “babiche”, a strong leather cord from caribou, moose or deer hide made winter expeditions more efficient.
Beadwork and the sacred art of “quilling”, embroidering with softened and dyed porcupine quills, were popular in the decorating of clothing and moccasins, boxes, baskets and dream catchers.
In areas where birch trees were abundant, birch bark was utilized for a multitude of creations including covered dwellings, boxes, baskets, trays, dishes and utensils. The Ojibway nations are most renowned for their streamlined birch bark canoes.
One of the most distinctive and unique art forms of the Manitoba First Nations is “birch bark bitings”, originated by female tribe members. Shapes and patterns are created on thin folded sheets of bark by puncturing holes with the incisor teeth. This is a very rare art form practiced by only a handful of present day First Nations artists.
Contemporary Expression
First Nations in Manitoba are gaining access to artistic avenues that were not always paved. Educational opportunities, government funded programs and visionary achievements have all aided in opening blocked portals.
One such notable organization is the “Graffiti Gallery”, located in Winnipeg and founded in 1998 by Steve Wilson. Although Steve is not of First Nations descent, the gallery attracts a high percentage of First Nations youth from urban areas of the city. It doubles as a youth community center and artistic outlet for budding and undiscovered young artists to meet, exchange ideas, research, learn vital skills and display their finished work in a safe and encouraging environment.
The “Aboriginal Music Program”, established in 2004 through MARIA (Manitoba Audio-Recording Industry Association) is considered a pioneer in Canadian music history. Designed to give a clear voice to and strengthen First Nation artists in the Manitoba music industry, this program continues to flourish.
Also on a musical note, the “Manitoba Aboriginal Music Hall of Fame” launched in April 2005 at the Burton Cummings Theatre in Winnipeg was established to honor First Nations musical artists.
The “Aboriginal Arts Program” offered through the Manitoba Arts Councils provides education and training in literary, performing and visual arts. “APTN” (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network) based in Winnipeg offers a range of programming highlighting First Nations themes.
Overall, the artistic focus within the Manitoba First Nations is one of progression. Five notable artists from the province, Kale Bonham, Helen Madelaine, Leah Fontaine, Riel Benn and KC Adams, blend aspects of traditional and contemporary expression through a wide range of media. Each individual expression not only offers visual stimulation but also contributes to the continuing dialogue between First Nations and non-First Nations communities.
First Nations in Manitoba
| Barren Lands | Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation |
| Berens River | Northlands |
| Birdtail Sioux | Norway House Cree Nation |
| Bloodvein | O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation |
| Brokenhead Ojibway Nation | O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation |
| Buffalo Point First Nation | Opaskwayak Cree Nation |
| Bunibonibee Cree Nation | Pauingassi First Nation |
| Canupawakpa Dakota First Nation | Peguis |
| Chemawawin Cree Nation | Pinaymootang First Nation |
| Sapotaweyak Cree Nation | Pine Creek |
| Dakota Plains | Poplar River First Nation |
| Dakota Tipi | Red Sucker Lake |
| Dauphin River | Rolling River |
| Ebb and Flow | Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation Govt |
| Fisher River | Sandy Bay |
| Fort Alexander | Sapotaweyak Cree Nation |
| Fox Lake | Sayisi Dene First Nation |
| Gamblers | Shamattawa First Nation |
| Garden Hill First Nations | Sioux Valley Dakota Nation |
| God’s Lake First Nation | Skownan First Nation |
| Grand Rapids First Nation | St. Theresa Point |
| Hollow Water | Swan Lake |
| Keeseekoowenin | Tateskweyak Cree Nation |
| Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation | Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve |
| Lake Manitoba | War Lake First Nation |
| Lake St. Martin | Wasagamack First Nation |
| Little Black River | Waywayseecappo First Nation Treaty |
| Little Grand Rapids | Four-1874 |
| Little Saskatchewan | Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation |
| Long Plain | York Factory First Nation |
| Manto Sipi Cree Nation | |
| Marcel Colomb First Nation | |
| Mathias Colomb | |
| Mosakahiken Cree Nation |
