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| Geography |  Nekaneet First Nation is located twenty three miles southeast of Maple Creek nestled in the Cypress Hills. The land base consists of 36,000 acres scattered in and around the Maple Creek area.
| | History | Nekaneet Cree Nation established itself prior to the settlement of the prairies. During the 1870's the Cypress Hills region of southwest Saskatchewan was used by many aboriginal groups as a meeting place. It was rich in wildlife and offered a broad range of medicinal herbs not available anywhere else on the prairies. During this period, the government feared the collective gathering of Indians in one area and they sought to move them north of the projected Canadian Pacific Railway. The government wanted to settle the west and on September 15, 1974, they signed Treaty 4 to settle the southern prairies. All the leaders who signed this Treaty were moved out of the Cypress Hills Region, except for Nekaneet who wanted to remain in the area.
Historian Dave Lee in an article entitled 'Saskatchewan History' wrote:
'In 1880 Kahkewistahaw, Chief of the Rabbit Skin or Calling River Plains Cree people agreed to take up a reserve in the Crooked Lake district but most of the band opted to remain on the plains under the leadership of Nekaneet...A great deal of pressure was exerted (to get Nekaneet to move). The government tried various tactics, including leveling of false accusations about their character and behavior...As time passed and the economic situation for Indians grew worse, pressure and blandishments to move away from the area increased. By the 1890's game was in very short supply; the Cypress Hills (Nekaneet) Indians hired out to ranchers for haying, cut wood for fuel in the hills, and sold horses, to raise money for survival. Throughout, Nekaneet and his people were denied even the minimal assistance available to Indians...as punishment for their refusal to move away from the Cypress Hills area. Even after Nekaneet's death in 1897, the people never asked for help. Their self-reliance in the face of this denial of justice and their poverty, is an amazing story of perseverance and courage. Under the leadership of Crooked Legs who succeeded Nekaneet as a leader, the government agreed to establish a small reserve near Maple Creek, in 1913, fully 30 years after other plains Indian groups had accepted reserves. It was only in 1976 that the government agreed to pay the people their treaty benefits, some 93 years after they were entitled to them. The Nekaneet story is a remarkable and unusual story of cultural and personal strength on the part of the members of this unique group of people.'
The Treaty 4 Flag was created by Elder Gordon Oakes. His vision of the flag for Treaty 4 became a reality and now this flag flies proudly in many First Nation Communities.
In its negotiations with the government of Canada, the band was able to increase its land base by approximately 28,000 acres through the Treaty Land Entitlement Process in 1992. They were the first band in Saskatchewan to sign a modern Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement and to purchase all of the required land.
In June of 1998, Nekaneet set a provincial first by becoming the first band to be a founding member in the Cypress Hills Regional Economic Development Authority. This is the 27th REDA board in Saskatchewan. REDA boards are local boards established to bring together business, First Nations, co-operatives and community groups in partnership to pool resources and achieve common goals of economic growth and jobs.
| | Economic Information | One of the main contributors to the economy of the reserve is the Healing Lodge. The Healing Lodge employs forty individuals mainly in the areas of administration and maintenance. Twenty five percent of the total employees are from the Nekaneet.
The Band Office, Medical Center, Daycare Center, the newly upgraded Water Treatment Plant and various other small departments employ twelve full time staff and a minimum of four part time workers.
There are a small number of ranchers on the reserve who are making a living 'off the land'. This, however, is a slow building process as huge herd numbers are needed to compete in the agricultural industry of today.
The Nekaneet currently own a strip mall in Regina and are currently awaiting treaty status. This mall, at present, houses a business called New Horizon's First Nation's Management Inc. employing five individuals. Expansion plans for the near future include a convenience store, gas bar and restaurant.
The Chief of the reserve is currently negotiating with the many levels of government to bring more economic development to the small reserve. Some of the areas that are being considered are development of wind generation plants and exploration in the oil and gas industry.
| | Attractions | The area is home to a variety of wildlife including moose, elk, deer, antelope, and over 200 species of birds. Naturalists and hunters find this diverse area to be rich and return annually.
The Nekaneet Cree Nation hosts its Thanksgiving Pow Wow every second year in the Town of Maple Creek and attracts people from Canada and the United States.
| | Other Info | The official language of the reserve is Cree. The Nekaneet First Nation people are proud of their heritage and desire their young people to hold tightly to the valued traditions.
A new school is currently under construction and will be ready for occupancy in the fall of 2004. The school will house Kindergarten to Grade eight and employ at least six teachers plus a principal, teachers aides, and maintenance staff. The Elders of the reserve will contribute to the educational process by offering their support and expertise.
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