Little Pine First Nation is located 53 kilometres (kms) northwest of Battleford, Saskatchewan. Currently, Little Pine has a landmass upwards of 60,000 acres and a registered population of over 1400 members. Little Pine First Nation is located at the foot of Bluehill and rests along the shores of the Battle River. Bluehill is a symbol of home for our people.
History
Little Pine Fist Nation is named after Chief Minahikosis (Little Pine), who signed an adhesion to Treaty 6 in 1879. Minahikosis had a reputation that came close to that of Big Bear. Although Minahikosis resisted and held out for three years before signing Treaty 6, he was finally persuaded by his starving people and signed in 1879. ‘Little Pine’ and his people settled at the foot of Bluehill along the Battle River.
Economic Information
The total registered population is 1513 with 567 members living on the reserve.
Little Pine Gas and Convenience Store: Chief Mary Anne Sokwaypnace and INAC Minister Robert Nault announced it would be getting its first gas and convenience store. The project will provide fuel service to the community, create seven full-time jobs, and generate economic relations with neighboring communities like Cutknife, North Battleford, and Saskatoon. The project cost an estimated $132,000 with the Government of Canada investing $24,000.
- A new Band office was built in 2004 at an estimated cost of $2.7 million which contains a land titles and registry offices.
- There is a Band farm operation. The business plan entails a total of 250 head of cattle. This is an outfitting operation on the land as well.
- The houses on the reserve are owned by the Band.
- The Band office is the leading employer for Little Pine First Nation.
Little Pine First Nation is a member of Battlefords Tribal Council (BTC). The BTC was established in 1991 with the incorporation of BTC Management Corporation to serve the Little Pine, Lucky Man Cree, Mosquito, and Sweetgrass First Nations. BTC expanded in 1995 when Moosomin, Red Pheasant, and Poundmaker joined. The BTC is a member of Battlefords Regional Economic Development Authority (REDA).
Attractions of Little Pine First Nation
The Little Pine First Nation had the exciting opportunity of hosting the 2000 Saskatchewan Indian Summer Games. Many First Nations’ Athletes competed in various sporting events.
The Blue Hill is a symbol of home for the people of Little Pine First Nation. The Blue Hill or Waskicosih means white thigh’ or white rump’. The Blue Hill is situated on the Little Pine Reserve that was once roamed by many antelope and deer. One can view the beautiful and scenic Little Pine Reserve from the top of the hill.
The Red Bull Singers are a world-class singing and drumming group formed in 1987, with most members originating from the Little Pine. The Red Bull Singers is mainly made up of family members where the tradition is handed down from their families including their parents. The Red Bull Singers are recognized by many as being one of the most accomplished Pow Wow and Round Dance groups in North America.
Two Band members, Clara Kennedy and Thelma Nighttraveller, had the opportunity to exhibit their artistic work on the Internet, thanks to the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre.
The goal of Little Pine First Nation is to have the next Pow Wow in 2004.
Other Info
Education:
The Chief Little Pine School is centrally located in the reserve to accommodate all members of the community. The total student population is 225 from Nursery to grade 12. The Post-secondary Student Support Program is available to status members of Little Pine First Nation.
Health and Safety:
The members on the reserve have access to health services at the Little Pine Health clinic that was constructed in 1988 to `promote healthy awareness in the community’. There are five employees working at the clinic, as well as the Band Administrator who controls the administration and financial activities. Positions at the health clinic consist of 1 Home Care Nurse, 1 Home Health Aide, 1 Community Health Nurse, 1 Custodian, 1 Secretary Clerk/Transportation Coordinator, and 2 Medical Taxis.
The Little Pine First Nation has a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment that currently has 2 constables working and residing on the reserve.
Other:
Little Pine Daycare is on the reserve for families that need childcare. Little Pine First Nation has an Elders Hall for meetings and other events. Elders Hall was constructed in 1998 to benefit the people of Little Pine First Nation. Numerous activities and events are held at the hall, including Round dances, wedding receptions, workshops, fundraising activities, meetings, cultural ceremonies, funerals, and feasts.
The Chief and five Councillors are responsible for all aspects of governance at Little Pine First Nation. These responsibilities include overseeing the management and upkeep of all the Band’s facilities including the Little Pine community health centre, the Elders’ Hall, and Chief Little Pine School. They are also responsible for ensuring that the great variety of social programs and technical services available to all Band members are delivered responsibly and fairly.