Muskeg Lake History

Muskeg Lake Cree Nation has a long and rich cultural history. First established in 1881, the core reserve is still home to approximately 367 community members (MLCN Health Records, June 2011). 1.481 additional members live across Saskatchewan and Canada, yet they are still proud to call Muskeg Lake their home and community.

Our veterans have played a significant role in the ways we have developed as a community. When community members enlisted for WWI, WWII, the Korean conflict and Peace-time service, they came back changed—not only by war, but by having their eyes opened to the ways of the world outside the reserve. This shift in perspective has forever changed the way we see ourselves as a community.

In the second half of the 20th century, two agreements—Asimakaniseekan Askiy in 1988 and the Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) Trust in 1992—led to the growth of Muskeg Lake. These agreements generated a need for the community to reach outward to surrounding governments and municipalities and bring us into a process of community consultation, something which had never before happened. The TLE Trust led to the acquisition of urban and agricultural lands, which fostered economic development for the community through land leasing and entrepreneurial growth.

Today, we look back on a proud history that we owe in great part to our veterans and to the community leaders who have changed the way we see ourselves as a community and in the larger world.