History
Swan Lake First Nations are direct descendants of the Leech Lake and Red Lake Ojibway bands of Minnesota. The onset of European settlers and the competitive fur trade activity would be cause to relocate their original settlements.
The Ojibway tribes first migrated to the Portage la Prairie area of Manitoba in the late 1860’s, enjoying the natural bounty of plentiful hunting grounds. By the late 1870’s, they relocated to the Red River and Assiniboine River valley areas of the province, eventually settling around the Swan Lake region in 1876.
Swan Lake First Nation was included in the signing of Treaty #1 in 1871, under the representation of Chief Yellowquill. They were, at that time, a member of the “Portage Band” trio, consisting of Swan Lake, Long Plain and Sandy Bay First Nations. By 1876, these three bands had separated into three distinct Nations, each keeping their respective names.
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The members of Swan Lake First Nation turned their focus to agriculture in the late 1800’s with great success, and the rich, fertile soil of the Swan Lake area continues to contribute to the economic growth of the present day community.
Geography
Swan Lake First Nation is located on prime farming land in south central Manitoba, approximately 135 kilometers SE of Brandon and 175 kilometers SW of Winnipeg. Just over 11,000 members belong to the Nation, with roughly fifty percent of members living on reserve land. Affiliated with the “Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council”, Swan Lake First Nation is signed to Treaty #1, authenticated at Lower Fort Garry in 1871.
Arts and Culture
The people of Swan Lake First Nation are proud “Anishinabe”, also referred to as “Plains Ojibway”. Their ancestral language is “Saulteaux”. The community is governed by an elected chief and council, who are dedicated to preserve and instill a traditional Anishinabe philosophy, while balancing contemporary social, cultural and environmental issues.
“Indian Springs School” is located on the Swan Lake reserve, accommodating Kindergarten to grade eight students. Grade nine to twelve is completed at one of the two nearby high-school level facilities within the Prairie Spirit School Division.
The on-site Indian Springs School offers an extensive arts programs to its students, including classic drawing, sketching, painting and clay modeling through hand sculpture or potters wheel.
Modern computer skills are taught through computer graphics, website design, Photoshop and flash animation, while traditional Anishinabe or Ojibway culture is passed on through teachings of carving, loom and basket weaving, quilting, beading, caribou tufting, assembly of First Nations toys, dolls and puppets and oral story-telling.
Cultural history is also explored through an extensive program dedicated to pow wow tradition, focusing extensively on the representation of pow wow regalia.
The Swan Lake First Nation community is host to an annual pow wow generally held in early July, with competition categories ranging from Tiny Tots to Golden Age. The event attracts participants from across the United States and Canada.
Joanne Soldier, a member of Swan Lake First Nation, is an internationally recognized, jingle dress dancer champion. She was featured in a documentary entitled “Journey My Heart”, produced by Aboriginal filmmaker, Reil Munro. The film captures the physical and mental preparation required for pow wow competition, and has been featured at the “Dawson City International Film Festival” and the “Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival”. Joanne is also the “Pow Wow Coordinator” with “Manito Ahbee”, an organization that promotes and showcases Aboriginal arts and music within the province of Manitoba.
Achievements and Progression
Agriculture plays a big part in the economic development of Swan Lake First Nation. Additional revenue is also generated through the Nation’s ownership and operation of a buffalo ranch within the community and an additional ranch located near Carberry, Manitoba.
In addition to the Indian Springs Elementary School, some of the major on-site facilities include the Tiny Tots Lodge Daycare, health centre, Child and Family Services, community hall, recreation centre, water treatment facility and fire hall.
Motivated by escalating struggles within the youth community of Swan Lake, the elected council sought professional advice and direction in recognizing and addressing the source of the concerns. In 2002, a “Ten Year Vision Quest” was initiated, aimed at rebuilding and unifying the community as a whole.
Based on the chief and council’s governing structure of “accountability, participation, predictability and transparency”, the Vision Quest seeks to address existing challenges while creating new opportunities for advancement. Through communication and effective leadership, Swan Lake First Nation is confident in the strides being taken to move them into a renewed and prosperous future.
Just the Facts Please (Source: 2006 Statistics Canada Census)
2006 Population 347
2001 Population 423
Population Fluctuation -18.0%
Land Area (square km) 27.92
Population Density (per square km) 12.4
Total Private Dwellings 134
Total Population 15 Years and Over 69.6%
Knowledge of Aboriginal Language 26.15