Siksika Nation

The Siksika Nation is a First Nation in southern Alberta, Canada. The name Siksiká comes from the Blackfoot words sik (black) and iká (foot), with a connector s between the two words. The plural form of Siksiká is Siksikáwa. The Siksikáwa are the northernmost of the Niitsítapi (Original People), all of whom speak dialects of Blackfoot, an Algonquian language.

For other Blackfoot/Blackfeet people, see Blackfeet Nation.
Siksika Nation
Band No. 430
PeopleBlackfoot
TreatyTreaty 7
HeadquartersSiksika
ProvinceAlberta
Land[1]
Reserve(s)
Siksika 146
Land area710.875 km2
Population (2020)[2]
On reserve4120
On other land2
Off reserve3412
Total population7534
Government[3]
ChiefOuray Crowfoot
Website
siksikanation.com

When European explorers travelled west, they most likely met the Siksiká first and assumed all Niitsítapi of the Blackfoot Confederacy were Blackfoot, which is incorrect. The four Niitsítapi nations of the Blackfoot Confederacy are the Siksiká, Káínaa (Kainai or Blood), Aapátohsipikáni (Northern Peigan), and Aamsskáápipikani (South Peigan or Montana Blackfoot). The approximate population of the Siksika Nation, as of 2009, is 6,000 people.[4]

Economy of the Siksika Nation

The Siksika government applied for a licence to produce Medical Marijuana in April 2016. They anticipate generating $14.2M in annual revenue. The Siksika Resource Development Ltd, and Siksika Herbz Ltd partnership plan to construct 25,000 Sq ft facility East of Calgary. Revenue generated will also be donated to support social services. The Siksika intend to distribute the medication domestically and internationally.[5]

Location

The Siksika Nation reserve, Siksika 146, is located approximately 95 km (59 mi) east of Calgary, and 3 km (1.9 mi) south of the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1). Its administrative and business district is located adjacent to the community of Gleichen.

Land claims
Two members of the Siksika Nation from southern Alberta and a local non-Aboriginal supporter in Ottawa on January 11th 2013 for the Idle No More protest movement

The Siksika Nation has had a longstanding land claim dispute with the Government of Canada over events dating back to 1910. The government sought the cession of approximately 46,621.4 hectares (115,204 acres) of land within the Siksika Indian Reserve for sale by the federal government to incoming settlers. The cession included 5,067.6 hectares (12,522 acres) of reserve lands to be transferred to the Canadian Pacific Railway, for construction of the Bassano Dam. The band members were not adequately informed about this portion and lost the use of the surface rights of the land. The Nation claims the transfer was done illegally. In 1980, the government admitted that no proof existed that Canadian Pacific had acquired the rights to the land for the dam.[6]

The Nation entered into negotiations with the Canadian government to settle the land claim. In 1991, the Siksika Nation signed a $4.9m agreement with the government for compensation for mineral rights lost due to construction of the dam. In 2010, the Nation finally reached agreement with the governments of Canada and Alberta to settle the land claims. The band would receive $50 million and new water rights.[6] The money will be put in a trust to benefit the Nation for purposes such as education and welfare.

Notable people

References
  1. "First Nation Detail". Indigenous and NortOh hern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  2. "First Nation Detail". Indigenous and NortOh hern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  3. "First Nation Detail". Indigenous and NortOh hern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  4. "Oki (Welcome)". Official Website of the Siksika Nation. 2009 (retrieved 12 December 2009)
  5. Brooks, A (Nov 4. 2016) 'Siksika Nation eyes pot production facility'.Calgary Sun, Retrieved from http://www.calgarysun.com/2016/11/04/siksika-nation-eyes-pot-production-facility, Retrieved on Nov 7, 2016
  6. Kelly Clyderman (2010-12-12). "Deal would give native band over $50 million in land dispute". Montreal Gazette. Archived from the original on 2010-12-16. Retrieved 2010-12-24.

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