Cumberland House Cree Nation: A Legacy of Resilience and Stewardship in Canada’s Oldest Northern Settlement
The Cumberland House Cree Nation is part of the Swampy Cree (Nêhinawak), whose ancestral lands span the northern prairies and boreal forest. Nestled along the Saskatchewan River Delta, Cumberland House holds the distinction of being the first inland trading post established by the Hudson’s Bay Company, marking it as a critical site in the history of Canada’s fur trade and Indigenous-European relations. Despite the profound changes brought by colonization, the Cumberland House Cree Nation has preserved its identity, maintaining its connection to the land and its role as a guardian of the delta’s rich biodiversity.
Ancient Origins: The Swampy Cree and the River Delta
The Swampy Cree, to which the Cumberland House Cree Nation belongs, have lived in the boreal forests and waterways of the Saskatchewan River Delta for over 10,000 years. Archaeological evidence, including ancient tools, pottery, and fishing weirs, highlights their deep relationship with the delta’s complex ecosystem. The delta’s rich network of rivers, lakes, and marshlands provided abundant resources, including fish, waterfowl, wild rice, and game animals.
For the Cree people, the delta was not merely a source of sustenance but a sacred landscape. Their language, Nêhinawak, reflects this deep connection, with words and stories tied to the land, water, and wildlife that sustain their culture and traditions.
Anthropologist Robin Ridington, in Trail to Heaven: Knowledge and Narrative in a Northern Native Community, writes, “The Swampy Cree’s relationship with the delta was one of mutual respect, with their practices rooted in sustainability and reverence for the natural world.”
Governance and Social Structure
The Cumberland House Cree Nation, like other Cree nations, followed traditional governance systems rooted in consensus and respect for elders. Leaders were chosen based on their ability to guide the community, mediate disputes, and ensure harmony. Elders played a vital role in preserving oral histories and spiritual teachings, which were passed down through generations.
The Cree were organized into family groups that followed seasonal cycles of hunting, fishing, and gathering. Communal efforts, such as building fish weirs or harvesting wild rice, reinforced social bonds and ensured the survival of the community.
Historian Sarah Carter, in Lost Harvests: Prairie Indian Reserve Farmers and Government Policy, observes, “The Swampy Cree’s governance practices reflected a balance between individual autonomy and collective responsibility, ensuring the well-being of both the community and the land.”
The Arrival of the Fur Trade: Cumberland House as a Hub
In 1774, Samuel Hearne, an explorer and fur trader, established Cumberland House on behalf of the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC). It was the first inland fur trade post in what is now Saskatchewan, strategically located in the heart of Cree territory. The establishment of the post marked a turning point in the region’s history, as it became a key hub for the fur trade, linking northern and southern territories.
The Cree people played an indispensable role in the success of Cumberland House. They provided furs, guided traders through the delta’s waterways, and supplied provisions such as fish and wild game. However, the fur trade also introduced new challenges, including competition among Indigenous nations and the overharvesting of resources.
Anthropologist Bruce Trigger, in Indigenous Peoples of Canada, notes, “The fur trade at Cumberland House transformed the social and economic dynamics of the Cree, integrating them into a global trade network while creating new pressures on their traditional way of life.”
The Impact of European Contact
The arrival of Europeans brought profound changes to the Cumberland House Cree. While the fur trade offered economic opportunities, it also brought new goods, such as firearms, metal tools, and textiles, which altered traditional practices. More devastatingly, European contact introduced diseases like smallpox, measles, and influenza, which swept through Indigenous communities, significantly reducing their populations.
Historian Margaret Conrad, in A Concise History of Canada, writes, “The epidemics that followed European contact were a demographic catastrophe, reshaping the cultural and social landscapes of Indigenous nations across Canada.”
Treaty 5 and the Creation of the Reserve
The signing of Treaty 5 in 1875 marked another significant moment in the history of the Cumberland House Cree Nation. Chiefs and leaders entered treaty negotiations with the goal of protecting their way of life while adapting to the pressures of settler expansion. Treaty 5 promised land, education, and healthcare, as well as the preservation of hunting and fishing rights.
The Cumberland House Cree Nation’s reserve was established near the delta, but like many treaties, the promises made were often inadequately fulfilled. Colonial policies, including the Indian Act, restricted Indigenous autonomy and imposed a rigid system of governance that conflicted with traditional practices.
Historian Robin Fisher, in Contact and Conflict, observes, “The implementation of Treaty 5, like other numbered treaties, often failed to meet the expectations of Indigenous nations, creating lasting tensions over land and resource rights.”
Disruptions and Adaptations: Residential Schools and Industrial Development
The establishment of residential schools in the late 19th and early 20th centuries profoundly impacted the Cumberland House Cree Nation. Children were forcibly removed from their families, prohibited from speaking their language, and subjected to assimilationist policies. These schools disrupted the transmission of cultural knowledge and caused intergenerational trauma.
In the 20th century, industrial development in the delta, including logging and hydroelectric projects, further disrupted the lives of the Cumberland House Cree. These activities altered water levels, reduced biodiversity, and threatened traditional hunting and fishing practices.
Despite these challenges, the Cumberland House Cree Nation adapted, leveraging their traditional knowledge to advocate for environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.
Resilience and Cultural Revitalization
The Cumberland House Cree Nation has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of historical and ongoing challenges. Efforts to preserve Nêhinawak and restore traditional ceremonies, such as the sweat lodge and pipe ceremonies, have been central to their cultural revitalization. Programs in language education, youth mentorship, and land-based learning ensure that future generations remain connected to their heritage.
The community has also been at the forefront of environmental advocacy, working to protect the delta from industrial impacts. Their leadership in managing the delta’s resources reflects their deep commitment to sustainability and stewardship.
Chief Rene Chaboyer, in a 2020 interview with CBC News, stated, “Our ancestors lived in harmony with this land for thousands of years. It is our responsibility to carry forward their wisdom and protect the delta for future generations.”
Cumberland House Cree Nation Today
Today, the Cumberland House Cree Nation is a thriving community that blends traditional practices with modern governance and economic development. Their focus on education, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation underscores their commitment to building a resilient future.
Annual events, such as the Cumberland House Cree Gathering, celebrate their heritage and provide opportunities for community members and visitors to engage with Cree traditions. Partnerships with local and federal governments, as well as initiatives in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, highlight their innovative approach to self-determination.
A Legacy of Stewardship and Renewal
The history of the Cumberland House Cree Nation is a testament to their enduring connection to the delta and their commitment to preserving their culture and sovereignty. From their ancient stewardship of the wetlands to their leadership in treaty negotiations and environmental advocacy, the Cumberland House Cree have maintained their identity and place within the dynamic landscapes of Saskatchewan.
As Chief Rene Chaboyer stated, “Our history is one of resilience, pride, and a commitment to honouring our ancestors while shaping a brighter future for our people.”
References
- Carter, Sarah. Lost Harvests: Prairie Indian Reserve Farmers and Government Policy. McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1990.
- Conrad, Margaret. A Concise History of Canada. Cambridge University Press, 2012.
- Fisher, Robin. Contact and Conflict: Indian-European Relations in British Columbia. UBC Press, 1997.
- Ignace, Marianne and Ronald E. Ignace. Keeping the Stories Alive: Language, Land, and Culture in Indigenous Communities. University of Toronto Press, 2008.
- Harris, Cole. The Resettlement of British Columbia: Essays on Colonialism and Geographical Change. UBC Press, 1997.
- Ridington, Robin. Trail to Heaven: Knowledge and Narrative in a Northern Native Community. Douglas & McIntyre, 1988.
- Trigger, Bruce G. Indigenous Peoples of Canada. McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1992.
- Cumberland House Cree Nation. Guardians of the Delta: The History and Culture of the Cumberland House Cree. Cumberland Publications, 2015.
- Chaboyer, Rene. “Protecting the Delta: The Future of Cumberland House.” CBC News, 2020.
- Treaty 5 Elders. Voices of the North: Stories from Treaty 5 Communities. University of Manitoba Press, 2000.