Bigstone Cree Nation is one of the largest bands in Alberta. According to the provincial government, the population of the Bigstone Cree Nation was 6,781 in February 2007. Approximately 2,000 members live on five reserves in the Wabasca region, 123 kms northeast of Slave Lake. The remaining band members reside in other communities. Alberta’s oilsands-driven economic boom is proving to be a boon to the Bigstone Cree Nation. The band has an estimated four billion barrels of oil in its 55,000 hectares on the edge of the Athabasca oilsands.
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A partnership with Bronco Energy will see the Bigstone Cree profit from their resource. It will also provide jobs and other economic spin-offs to the Band.
Community involvement
In 2007, the Bigstone Cree Nation served as a host community for the Alberta government’s Aboriginal Junior Forest Rangers program. The seven-week program is a fun way for Aboriginal students to learn the science of wild fires, forest management and trail building. The young people in the program also help out in the host community. For example, during Bigstone Cree Nation’s Elder Gathering, the students assisted with everything from building tables and chairs, setting up tents and stacking firewood to building racks for smoking meat.
Spreading culture and values
Painter and writer Dale Auger is a member of the Bigstone Cree Nation. During his childhood, his mother exposed him to the traditional teachings of Cree Elders. He didn’t understand why at the time, but today he uses those teachings in his work. Auger’s 2006 children’s book, Mwâkwa - Talks to the Loon: A Cree Story for Children, incorporates and teaches the Cree language, traditions and spirituality to a new generation.
Just the Stats, Please
Statistics for Wabasca 166, 166A, 166B, 166C, 166D Reserves (Source: Statistics Canada) 2006 population 1978 2001 population 1787 Population change (%) 10.7 Total private dwellings 535 Private dwellings occupied by usual residents 482 Population density per square kilometer 131.4 Land area (square km) 210.83