A Brief Timeline

In the 1920's, Split Lake was still not a permanent settlement for most First Nation members, many of whom continued to live in the bush and return to the community only during Christian holiday seasons and the summer. About 100 people lived year-round at Split Lake.

The period up to 1950 brought many changes for the Split Lake Cree, however, life continued within the known, respected and loved environment of the permanent tribal homeland. The way of life may have been changing, but the underlying Aboriginal values remained.

Our traditional values and customs came under increasing pressure during the 1970s, as the consequences of increased modernization and contact with the outside world were felt. From the Split Lake Cree perspective, hydroelectric development was by far the most profound agent of change, causing both major physical impacts on the lands and waters, as well as the resulting undermining of the essence of Aboriginal practices and customs.

The 1980s were a defining moment for the Split Lake Cree. We as a First Nation showed remarkable resilience and by the mid-1980s there was already practical evidence that this was beginning to change. By the end of the decade, the practical groundwork had been successfully laid, based on the decisions of the people to create a new and different basis for future self-sustenance.

The Split Lake Cree have chosen the path of blending the old and new in order to gain control of their lives and destiny with confidence and determination. The people, faced with new challenges, are continuing, as their forefathers did, to exercise their inherent right to govern themselves, across a wide spectrum of governmental functions.