Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation

The Wood Mountain First Nation (Lakota: Tatanka Iyutaka Lakota Oyate, also spelt as Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake Lakȟóta Oyáte) is a Lakota First Nations band government in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Led across the border by Sitting Bull, they are the only organized Lakota nation in Canada. Their reserve is located at Wood Mountain 160, near Grasslands National Park, although most members reside elsewhere.[1]

Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation
Band No. 388
PeopleLakota
TreatyTreaty 4
HeadquartersAssiniboia
ProvinceSaskatchewan
Land[1]
Reserve(s)
Land area23.762 km2
Population (2019)[1]
On reserve7
Off reserve298
Total population305
Government[1]
ChiefEllen Lecaine
Tribal Council[1]
File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council
Website
woodmountainlakotafn.ca

History

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In the mid-1800s, nomadic Lakota people were active near the Canada–United States border. After Sitting Bull's victory at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, a number of Lakota fled reprisals by the U.S. Cavalry by camping in this area. Although Sitting Bull himself returned to the United States in 1881, Wood Mountain's 37 founding families remained in Canada. A temporary reserve was created for them on October 29, 1910, and recognized through an Order-in-Council on August 5, 1930, despite the Lakota never formally taking treaty. With most members remaining off reserve, the band declined in number, in part through marrying into the surrounding white community.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b "First Nation Detail". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  2. ^ "Wood Mountain Dakota First Nation". Indigenous Saskatchewan Encyclopedia. University of Regina Press. Retrieved August 31, 2020.