History

Sawridge First Nation is a community with a vibrant history, present, and future. From time immemorial, our resilient community has flourished, weaving an intricate tapestry of traditions, culture, and wisdom that transcends time. Our name, Sawridge, is inspired by the land which we call home, the ancient glacier valley with many hills that resemble ridges of a saw.

On June 21, 1899, on the shores of Slave Lake, Treaty 8 was signed on behalf of Sawridge First Nation by Chief Charles Neesotasis (The Twin). Other signatories included Chief Keenooshayoo  David Laird, Father Albert Lacombe, Rev. George Homes, Bishop Émile Grouard, J.A.J. McKenna, James Hamilton Ross, W.G. White, James Walker, A. Arthur Cote, A.E. Snyder, H.B. Round, Harrison S. Young, J.F. Prud’Homme, C. Mair, H.A. Conroy, Pierre Deschambeault, Joseph Henri Picard, Richard Secord, Matthew McCauley, Headman Moostoos, Headman Felix Giroux, and Headman Wee Chee Way Sis.

Charles Neesotasis sought out opportunities to ensure that his descendants were taken care of and were provided opportunities to assert their sovereignty and right in self determination. We continue to honor the Treaty, and celebrate it annually.

Our Nation, like many in Canada, has felt the impacts of colonization. Still lingering with the effects of intergenerational trauma of residential schools and segregating our people in reservations and limiting access to the necessities of life our people and community suffered greatly, however, we rise in the face of colonization and disenfranchisement in the pursuit of happiness and self-determination.

Our Nation has been a leader in economic development and creating opportunities for our members, since the early 1980’s. Seen as a trail blazer for Indigenous communities’ participation and leadership in the economy. Chief Walter Patrick Twinn fought tirelessly to break stereotypes, create opportunities, and be a leader in self-determination and asserting our sovereignty. This included developing a franchise of hotels in Alberta, securing long standing relationships within the oil and gas sector, as well as supporting community owned businesses.

He later became the first Indigenous Chief Senator in Canada.

In addition to participating and leading in economic development, our Nation has a significant library of self-governing laws that we have passed in the last 10 years. The Sawridge First Nation Constitution is the cornerstone of our effort to assert and live our rights.

On August 24, 2009, our Nation adopted our Constitution which provides our way of living, some key points from this law are:

That we record the traditions, customs and practices of the Sawridge First Nation, formerly called the Sawridge Indian Band.
Family is the foundation of which our community thrives.
That we live in family-based communities in the territory.
That there is a shared obligation and responsibility to preserve our culture and language and to pass it on.
That the land, waters, and natural resources are sacred and essential.
That we have the inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness.
That we govern ourselves as a community which is safe, supportive, prosperous, friendly, and caring, and which will always be here for our grandchildren.
That our traditional values of Love, Honesty, Kindness, Humility, Respect, Truth, Patience, Contribution, Responsibility, Self-Reliance, Independence,
Accountability, and Wisdom are evident in all that we do and our pursuits.
That our right to govern ourselves is recognized in Treaty 8.
That since the signing of Treaty 8, our inherent right has been distorted by the imposition of forced dependency, attitudes of superiority, systems of control, which, through the Constitution we disavow, denounce, and discard.
That governance be guided by Elders who have the respect and trust of the First Nation; who are known for their wisdom and good judgment; who demonstrate a significant commitment to and knowledge of the history, customs, traditions, cultural and communal life of the First Nation, and who are known for a character and lifestyle that does not cause detriment to the future welfare or advancement of our First Nation.
Our community has called the Slave Lake region home for time and millennia and have deeply rooted ourselves within the broader area. In partnership with the Town of Salve Lake and the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River, we make up the Tri Council and helped build the Legacy Centre to ensure that our story and voices are heard and never lost.

In 2011, our community witnessed the destruction of the Slave Lake Forest Fire. Sawridge First Nation was able to protect homes and infrastructure due to good emergency management and fire smart practices, which were later acknowledged through Regional Awards. In a spirit of healing and connection we hosted four round dances in memory of what was lost.

Our Nation is also living through the impacts of residential school system in Canada, as well as systemic racism and century of colonization. We share this with other First Nations in the country.

Today, the members of Sawridge First Nation stand not only as a testament to a profound and unbroken connection to the past but as a vibrant and dynamic force in the present. Our way of being is a fusion of two eyed seeing that encompasses traditional knowledges and ways of being with an understanding of western systems and structures that ensure our voices resonate powerfully in self determination, environmental stewardship, and cultural reclamation.