Opaskwayak Cree Nation

Opaskwayak Cree Nation has developed a lot for their people such as, a school well known as Joe. A. Ross school for all grades, a Community Plex for the events of bingo, socials and community events etc. In 1995 construction of a hotel known as Kikiwak Inn was built and completed in July 1996. Otineka Shopping Mall was built in the early 1970's and... opened in the 1975. The McGillivary Care Home was constructed in 1982 for the elders and a Six-Plex for the elderly. The community of Opaskwayak Cree Nation has two churches on the reserve. The Church of Redeemer is situated in Big Eddy, and the Church of Messiah is situated in the townsite area. Both of these Churches have been recently constructed to replace the old churches. The sites where the old churches were situated are now set aside as Sacred Grounds. The Band is governed by the Chief and twelve Councilors who are elected according to the Indian Act for a two- year term. The reserve consists of 17 parcels of land varying in size from 10 to 5200 acres and totaling less then 15,000 acres. The most populated settlements are located in and around the Town of The Pas. On January 22, 1999, The Opaskwayak Cree Nation celebrated the signing of its Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement (TLEA) and the resolution of the long outstanding Treaty obligations. The Opaskwayak Cree Nation is entitled to an additional 22,669 hectares (56.068 acres) to be set a side as reserve land. The province of Manitoba will provide 19,287 acres of Crown land and Canada will provide $2,153,051 to enable Opaskwayak Cree Nation to purchase up to 3,403 hectares (8,410 acres) of land where Crown land is unavailable. This land purchase will be made on a willing buyer/willing seller basis. In addition, Canada will provide the Opaskwayak Cree Nation with $1,364,397 for the use and benefit of its members. Funding for this initiative is built into fiscal frame works. The FrameWork Agreement settles the land debt that is owned to the 19 first nations under Treaties 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 10 because they did ...Read More