Shoal Lake First Nation

Geography

Situated on the edge of the Carrot River glacial meltwater channel, Shoal Lake Saskatchewan, offers both residents and visitors a beautiful rural setting on the forest's edge. The community hosts the Shoal Lake Band of the Cree Nation, and is located along Provincial Highway #55. The community is a short drive from Nipawin, and Carrot River Saskatchewan, and is 1479 hectares in size. The population is 631, with an estimated 489 residing on-reserve, while the most common languages spoken are Cree and English.

History

Shoal Lake takes its name from the translation of the Cree word pahkwawsakahikanik or Pakwaw Lake. The community is frequently still referred to as Pakwaw Lake. The Cree word pahkwaw means, ' the water is shallow' and is roughly equal to shoal.

Pakwaw Lake was first used as a Post Office on the Shoal Lake Reserve, because the office would not allow the name Shoal Lake because of the pre-existence of Shoal Lake, Manitoba, so a creative alternative was created.

('People Places - Contemporary Saskatchewan Place Names' Bill Barry, 2003.)

Attractions

Shoal Lake Cree Nation Wacihk Education Complex is designed to meet the contemporary academic needs of students, from pre-school/kindergarten to Grade 12, while providing a nurturing, learning environment that also promotes cultural and spiritual needs.
The 3,455 square meter facility also includes eight new teacher accommodations. The project also included the renovation of three additional teacher accommodations.
The new school is equipped to house a maximum student population of 398 students.

Wacihk Elementary and High School
P.O. Box 53
Pakwaw, Saskatchewan
S0E 1G0
Ph.: Elem. (306) 768¿3526
High school: (306) 768¿3377
Fax: (306) 768¿3526

Other Info

Shoal Lake Band of the Cree Nation
P.O. Box 51
Pakwaw Lake, Saskatchewan
S0E 1G0
Ph.: (306) 768¿3551
Fax: (306) 768¿3486

Saskatchewan profile