HISTORY
On September 3rd, 1878, Chief Kopahawakenum signed an adhesion to Treaty Six leader of the Meadow Lake First Nation, signed Treaty 6 on August 26, 1876, and the main reserve north of Meadow Lake was settled in 1889. Annuity payments were first received at Fort Carlton between 1899 and 1904, and at Battleford Agency between 1905 and 1948. In June 1948 the Meadow Lake Agency was formed, which eventually became known as the Meadow Lake Tribal Council. During the time of the Metis resistance, Flying Dust First Nation, was wrongfully classified as rebels, which resulted in the withholding of Treaty annuity payments for several years; this resulted in a Treaty Annuity claim in the recent years. As far back as 1877 in the records of the Treaty Annuity paylist, Flying Dust First Nation was known as the “Green Lake Indians”. Around the time period of the signing of Treaty 6 and shortly after, Kopahawakenum (Flying Dust) had strong kinship ties with Ahtahkakoop, Mistiwasis, and the Witcheken Lake and Pelican Lake First Nations. Their collective gathering area around Green Lake led to a high population, which for fear of their number led to the government enforcing its Indian Policy to separate these First Nations onto their separate Indian reserves.
It is shown in the early years preceding the subjection to the reserve pass-system, that there were members of Flying Dust that were collecting their treaty payments in different locations with their other kin from different bands. The imposition of the reserve pass-system then forced the Flying Dust First Nation to adapt to an agricultural way of living. Prior to the pass-system, it is noted in the journals of the Indian agents in the year of 1886, that the Indigenous peoples of Green Lake were more sufficient in hunting and trapping than agriculture, and have almost entirely supported themselves by trapping fur, and on fish and game. As sources depleted due to settlement, and a shift in the economy of the fur-trade, there was an increase in agriculture in the region, including raising cattle and cultivating crops. There were also government fishing regulations that began to impede on the traditional Cree way of life. The people of Flying Dust eventually transitioned to a living of agriculture and farming, which the band was successful in for decades, including having one of the last remaining band farms in Canda until 2014.
Through the decades following the turn of the 20th century, Flying Dust experienced the transition to life on its main reserve, and in the 1930’s, the expropriation of the railway in 1932, which would eventually lead to the Specific Land Claim that is now near settlement and which land has been turned back to reserve title. Following this period, Flying Dust had several decorated veterans who volunteered to serve in the Second World War (WWII); Our brave veterans, and from many other First Nations, volunteered at a rate that was higher than any other demographic in the country. We have had many other veterans also serve in conflicts since WWII, and all of whom returned home to the same systems of oppression that they lived under before they left home – similar to the ones who they volunteered to fight against.
In the 1950’s, First Nations were legally allowed to leave the reserve. In 1960, First Nations were granted the right to vote in Canadian elections for the first time; however, during this time the First Nations people in Saskatchewan began to be organized under the Federation of Saskatchewan Indians in 1958 (now the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations). Political advocacy organizations like the FSIN and the Meadow Lake Tribal Council provided support to Flying Dust First Nation, and gave an avenue to advance self-government negotiations, eventually a Specific Land Claim in the 1990’s. Flying Dust was also one of the first First Nations to become a signatory to the First Nations Land Management Act Framework Agreement, taking a huge step toward sectoral self-government. Now Flying Dust is known as a leader in Saskatchewan, and across Canada, as one of the premier First Nations Lands Management bands.
Flying Dust’s forward thinking and progressive stance toward sovereignty have also gave it a reputation and track record for success in economic development and business partnerships. Its economic portfolio has diversified into several industries, and it utilizes its strength in lands management as a competitive advantage to bolster its self-sufficiency.
Today, the band controls 9259.83 hectares (22,881.54 acres). of reserve land and operates a variety of successful businesses in the community. Flying Dust has commenced and completed multiple planning processes, and is now ready to continue planning for the future. Flying Dust’s commitment to its membership can be shown from the implementation of its past plans, and progress in its governance initiatives, and progressive steps for transparency and accountability.
It is shown in the early years preceding the subjection to the reserve pass-system, that there were members of Flying Dust that were collecting their treaty payments in different locations with their other kin from different bands. The imposition of the reserve pass-system then forced the Flying Dust First Nation to adapt to an agricultural way of living. Prior to the pass-system, it is noted in the journals of the Indian agents in the year of 1886, that the Indigenous peoples of Green Lake were more sufficient in hunting and trapping than agriculture, and have almost entirely supported themselves by trapping fur, and on fish and game. As sources depleted due to settlement, and a shift in the economy of the fur-trade, there was an increase in agriculture in the region, including raising cattle and cultivating crops. There were also government fishing regulations that began to impede on the traditional Cree way of life. The people of Flying Dust eventually transitioned to a living of agriculture and farming, which the band was successful in for decades, including having one of the last remaining band farms in Canda until 2014.
Through the decades following the turn of the 20th century, Flying Dust experienced the transition to life on its main reserve, and in the 1930’s, the expropriation of the railway in 1932, which would eventually lead to the Specific Land Claim that is now near settlement and which land has been turned back to reserve title. Following this period, Flying Dust had several decorated veterans who volunteered to serve in the Second World War (WWII); Our brave veterans, and from many other First Nations, volunteered at a rate that was higher than any other demographic in the country. We have had many other veterans also serve in conflicts since WWII, and all of whom returned home to the same systems of oppression that they lived under before they left home – similar to the ones who they volunteered to fight against.
In the 1950’s, First Nations were legally allowed to leave the reserve. In 1960, First Nations were granted the right to vote in Canadian elections for the first time; however, during this time the First Nations people in Saskatchewan began to be organized under the Federation of Saskatchewan Indians in 1958 (now the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations). Political advocacy organizations like the FSIN and the Meadow Lake Tribal Council provided support to Flying Dust First Nation, and gave an avenue to advance self-government negotiations, eventually a Specific Land Claim in the 1990’s. Flying Dust was also one of the first First Nations to become a signatory to the First Nations Land Management Act Framework Agreement, taking a huge step toward sectoral self-government. Now Flying Dust is known as a leader in Saskatchewan, and across Canada, as one of the premier First Nations Lands Management bands.
Flying Dust’s forward thinking and progressive stance toward sovereignty have also gave it a reputation and track record for success in economic development and business partnerships. Its economic portfolio has diversified into several industries, and it utilizes its strength in lands management as a competitive advantage to bolster its self-sufficiency.
Today, the band controls 9259.83 hectares (22,881.54 acres). of reserve land and operates a variety of successful businesses in the community. Flying Dust has commenced and completed multiple planning processes, and is now ready to continue planning for the future. Flying Dust’s commitment to its membership can be shown from the implementation of its past plans, and progress in its governance initiatives, and progressive steps for transparency and accountability.
306-236-4437 • [email protected]
8001 Flying Dust Reserve, Meadow Lake, SK S9X 1T8 |