Sapotaweyak Cree Nation

Sapotaweyak Cree Nation
Band No. 314
Flag of the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation.
TreatyTreaty 4
HeadquartersPelican Rapids, Manitoba
Land
Main reserveShoal River Indian Reserve 65A
Government
ChiefNelson Genaille
Tribal Council
Swampy Cree Tribal Council[1]
Website
sapotaweyakcreenation.weebly.com

The Sapotaweyak Cree Nation (SCN, Cree: ᓵᐳᐦᑕᐍᔮᕽ, sâpohtawêyâhk is a First Nations band government whose reserves are located in northern Manitoba, north-east of Swan River, approximately 400 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.

The community is mainly Cree, but has a mixture of Plains Cree, Swampy Cree, and Saulteaux languages, a unique dialect shared with Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation to the southwest. They have a number of dispersed reserves, most of which are along the shores of Lake Winnipegosis. The main centre of the community is Shoal River Indian Reserve 65A, located adjacent to Pelican Rapids (known as the "Métis Side" to the locals). About half the community's population resides on the reserve while the other half live off reserve.[2][3]

SCN is signatory to Treaty 4 which was signed in 1874.[4]

SCN is part of the Swampy Cree Tribal Council, which also includes the Chemawawin Cree Nation, Mathias Colomb First Nation, Misipawistik Cree Nation, Mosakahiken Cree Nation, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, and the Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation.[5]

About 900 people had to evacuate because of wildfires on May 20, 2018, and were able to return on June 5.[6]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Nelson Genaille reported that of the 260 households in the community, there were 49 active cases and 313 others self-isolating in December 2020.[7]

  1. ^ "Sapotaweyak Cree Nation | SCTC".
  2. ^ INAC - Sapotaweyak Cree Nation Number 314
  3. ^ Sapotaweyak Cree Nation
  4. ^ First Nation Profiles: Manitoba Region 2004-2005 (PDF). 2004. ISBN 0-662-36501-1. Retrieved 4 October 2021. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference winnipegsun_20211004 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "All Evacuees from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation Now Home, Says Red Cross". CBC News. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  7. ^ Laychuk, Riley (15 December 2020). "Community 'still Panicking' as Military Arrives in Red Sucker Lake First Nation amid COVID-19 Outbreak". CBC News. Retrieved 4 October 2021.