History
The original members of Pine Creek First Nation were of Saulteaux descent and hailed from the Ontario Lake Superior area of Sault Ste. Marie. The name “Saulteaux” is derived from the French language meaning “people of the rapids”; they are also formally recognized as Plains Ojibwe or Anishinaabe.
Pine Creek First Nation made their home along the southwestern shore of Lake Winnipegosis, approximately 110 kilometers north of present Dauphin, Manitoba. A plentiful supply of freshwater fish, waterfowl and wild game guaranteed their survival.
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Pine Creek First Nation is signatory to Treaty #4, also known as the “Qu’Appelle Treaty”. The treaty was constituted on September 14, 1874, comprising of 13 separate Saulteaux and Cree Nations, with additional Nations signing thereafter. There are presently 36 distinct Nations attributed to Treaty #4, covering most of Southern Saskatchewan and partial areas of southern Alberta and western Manitoba.
Geography
Pine Creek First Nation is located on the southwestern shore of the 5,374 square kilometer Lake Winnipegosis in Manitoba. Covering an area of 8,111.7 hectares, the Nation is approximately 100 kilometers north of Dauphin, situated between the communities of Camperville and Duck Bay.
Affiliated with the West Region Tribal Council, Pine Creek First Nation is signed to Treaty #4, with a registered membership of 2,592; approximately 1200 members live on reserve land.
Arts and Culture
The family name of “Nepinak” appears to be synonymous with the arts in the Pine Creek community. From elders to youth, a range of talents representing this namesake are avidly explored and shared.
Francis Nepinak (North Star) is a traditional story-teller in his late sixties. Versed in three languages, he shares oral teachings on Saulteaux history and culture.
The “Summer Bear Dance Troupe” was established to preserve and promote traditional First Nation dance within the province of Manitoba. Operating out of Winnipeg, the troupe is run by Pine Creek First Nation member Barbara Nepinak and her husband, Clarence. Their genuine effort to communicate the traditional origins and messages of the individual dances to First Nation and non-First Nation spectators has earned them honored invitations to perform at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Winnipeg Folk Festival and the Aboriginal Music Awards, to name just a few.
Two of Barbara and Clarence’s four daughters have gone on to explore and contribute their own artistic gifts. Melanie Nepinak was involved in the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, and is a traditional and jingle dancer with the Summer Bear Dance Troupe. Pursuing her passion for the multi-media industry, Melanie has started a videography business, “Makoose Productions”, meaning “Little Bear” in Ojibway.
Krystin Nepinak is a champion traditional dancer in the pow wow circuit. She teaches her love of First Nation dance to children in various communities through skilled performance and instruction.
Doug Nepinak, a talented and promising writer from Pine Creek First Nation sadly lost his battle with cancer in 2005. A brilliant, insightful author and playwright, his work will continue to act as inspiration to aspiring First Nations writers.
Achievements and Progression
November 2004 marked the official opening of the Pine Creek “Minegoziibe Anishinabe First Nation School”, an $11 million, 1,750 square metre facility, capable of accommodating over 400 students from kindergarten to grade twelve.
Community members were involved in the overall design of the much anticipated school, and color selections were inspired from their interpretation of the Medicine Wheel. The theme of circles, combined with the colors of blue (heartbeat of the drum; as the river flows), green (as the grass grows), yellow (as the sun shines), red (the color of all blood), black (dark and down) and white (up and light), act as a symbolic representation of all elements working together and are an integral part of the overall design.
The “Pine Creek Healing Foundation” addresses the healing needs of the community through the availability of life skills programming, group counseling for women and men, family counseling, and a sharing circle.
Dedicated community volunteers coordinate the minor hockey program through the Sports and Recreation Department out of the Pine Creek Arena. The “Warriorettes”, the local girls’ team, are taught the positive benefits of physical activity and team spirit.
The Pine Creek First Nation strives, as do all First Nations, to transform their community into a symbol of pride, one success story at a time. The welcome addition of the Minegoziibe Anishinabe School offers the gifts of opportunity and knowledge, two vital ingredients required to seize the future.
Just the Facts Please (Source: 2006 Statistics Canada Census)
2006 Population 614
2001 Population 696
Population Fluctuation -11.8%
Land Area (square km) 78.73
Population Density (per square km) 7.8
Total Private Dwellings 221
Total Population 15 Years and Over 64.8%
Knowledge of Aboriginal Language 45.1%