• Band Office: (780) 523-4426
  • Toll Free 1-800-567-5552

Treaty 8 Territory   ·   Box 65, Enilda Alberta, Canada

ᓱᑲ ᐊᐢᑲᐤ

About

SCFN

Sucker Creek First Nation (Namipi Sipîsis) is a proud Cree community rooted in the principles of Treaty 8.

OUR NATION

Sucker Creek

First Nation

Sucker Creek First Nation (SCFN) is a Cree First Nation located in northern Alberta, Canada. We are a signatory to Treaty 8, signed in 1899, and our reserve lands are situated near the town of Kinuso in the Lesser Slave Lake region.

Our community has deep roots in the land, language, and traditions of the Nehiyaw (Cree) people. We are committed to preserving our cultural heritage while building a prosperous and self-sufficient future for all our members.

OUR STORY
Sucker Creek First Nation, like many First Nations across Canada, carries stories of triumph and hardship, of joy and sorrow, of life and loss. What defines us, and sets us apart, is the strength of our heritage and the deep connections that bind our community together. These bonds — rooted in kinship, culture, and shared experience — continue to guide us forward.
Our collective history includes the impacts of the residential school system, particularly St. Bruno’s Residential School in Joussard, Alberta. Many of our members who grew up before 1969 attended this school, and later the day school, until students were eventually transported to local town schools in the 1970s. The legacy of these institutions has left lasting effects, and intergenerational trauma has echoed through our community for decades.
In recent years, however, growing awareness, education, and trauma-informed healing have opened pathways for reflection, understanding, and renewal. Our people are reclaiming their voices, their stories, and the healed versions of themselves that were always meant to flourish.
Contact Us

Since 1899

Treaty 8 Members

Our

Mission

Healing, Empowerment, and Renewal
We are committed to a journey of restoration and empowerment. Guided by the sacred pillars of Language, Heritage, Wellness, and Culture, we work together to restore balance, strengthen our identity, and build a self-sustaining future grounded in our ancestral teachings and values.
We honour the spirit and intent of Treaty 8, recognizing it as a living agreement that affirms our inherent rights to the land, resources, self-determination, and way of life. Through this commitment, we uphold our Treaty responsibilities and continue the work of our ancestors to ensure our people are respected, thriving, and connected for generations to come. With unity, respect, and purpose, we walk forward together — reclaiming our language, revitalizing our culture, celebrating our heritage, and fostering the holistic wellness of every member of our Nation.
Our collective history includes the impacts of the residential school system, particularly St. Bruno’s Residential School in Joussard, Alberta. Many of our members who grew up before 1969 attended this school, and later the day school, until students were eventually transported to local town schools in the 1970s. The legacy of these institutions has left lasting effects, and intergenerational trauma has echoed through our community for decades.
In recent years, however, growing awareness, education, and trauma-informed healing have opened pathways for reflection, understanding, and renewal. Our people are reclaiming their voices, their stories, and the healed versions of themselves that were always meant to flourish.
CORE VALUES

The Teachings That Guide Us

Respect (Kisewatisiwin)

We honour all life — the land, the water, the spirit world, and one another. Respect guides our words, actions, and decisions as we walk in balance with Creation.

Kinship (Wahkohtowin)

We are all related. Our strength comes from our connections — between families, generations, communities, and the land. Kinship reminds us that healing and growth happen together, not alone.

Resilience (Mâmaskâwisiwin)

Through centuries of challenge and change, our people have endured. We carry forward the spirit of resilience, transforming adversity into strength, and strength into opportunity.

Healing (Miyo-Pimâtisiwin)

We strive for wellness in body, mind, spirit, and emotion. Healing is both personal and collective — a journey that reconnects us to our true selves, our ancestors, and our community.

Stewardship (Pimâtisiwin Askiy)

We are caretakers of the land and water entrusted to us by the Creator. Through stewardship, we protect and sustain the gifts of the earth for future generations.

Integrity (Tapwewin)

We walk in truth and uphold the promises of our ancestors. By honouring our Treaty Rights, we strengthen our sovereignty and ensure fairness, justice, and self-determination for our Nation.

Culture and Language (Nehiyawewin)

Our language and culture are the heartbeat of who we are. Through them, we remember our stories, express our identity, and connect with the spirit of our people.

OUR HISTORY & GOVERNANCE

Sucker Creek History

Sucker Creek First Nation (SCFN), known in Cree as Namipi Sipîsis (ᓱᑲ ᒐᐱᓯᐢ), is a Woodland Cree community situated along the southwestern shore of Lesser Slave Lake, near Enilda, Alberta. The community is deeply rooted in the principles of Treaty 8, signed in 1899, which affirmed rights to land, resources, and cultural practices. This treaty continues to guide SCFN’s governance and community life.
Key Historical Milestones:

Treaty 8 Signatory: SCFN became a signatory to Treaty 8 in 1899, establishing a foundational relationship with the Crown and ensuring rights to land, hunting, fishing, and cultural practices. The treaty was signed at Willow Point, a sacred site in Sucker Creek First Nation.

Harold Cardinal’s Advocacy: Harold Cardinal, a prominent SCFN member, authored “The Unjust Society”, a pivotal work that challenged the federal government’s 1969 White Paper and played a significant role in defending Treaty rights.

Cultural Preservation: Despite challenges such as the residential school system, SCFN has maintained and revitalized its cultural practices, language, and spiritual traditions, fostering resilience and community cohesion.

Community and Governance:

SCFN is governed by a Chief and Council. The community is part of the Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council and has a registered population of over 3,333 members. The reserve spans approximately 5,987 hectares and is home to nearly 800 residents.

Our Ancestors: The Original Band Members of Reserve 150A

Our connection to this land was solidified in September 1901, when Reserve No. 150A was officially surveyed for Councillor Moostoos and a portion of Chief Kinoosayo’s band. We proudly honor the original families who secured our territory, including Councillor Moostoos, Okimow, Felix Estatchekoon, Alex Young, Michel Misinicunape, Bazil, Edward, Benjamin, Seekachees, Joseph Matuskees, Alexander Moostoos, Mary Spoon, Marie Seeasapwayretus, Joseph Keesaynees, Francois Keesaynees, Baptiste Moosoos Keesaynees, Squasis, Martineau, Angelle Tranquille, Mary Beaver, and Casimere Cardinat. In 1912, as our community grew, additional lands were surveyed to welcome more families into our nation.

Cultural and Spiritual Life:

SCFN’s cultural identity is deeply intertwined with its language, ceremonies, and connection to the land. The community hosts various cultural events, including powwows and traditional gatherings, which serve as vital expressions of identity and unity.

1899

Year Treaty 8 was signed

TREATY 8

Our Treaty Rights

Treaty 8 was signed on June 21, 1899, between the Crown and various First Nations in the region that is now northern Alberta, northeastern British Columbia, and northwestern Saskatchewan. Sucker Creek First Nation is a proud signatory to this treaty.

The treaty guarantees our rights to hunt, fish, and trap on our traditional lands, as well as our rights to education, health care, and other essential services. We continue to assert and protect these rights for all our members.

WHAT WE DO

Our Services

Education

Supporting students from early childhood through post-secondary education.

Health & Wellness

Comprehensive health services for all SCFN members.

Housing

Safe, affordable housing for on-reserve members.

Economic Development

Creating opportunities for business and employment.

Land & Environment

Protecting our traditional lands and natural resources.

Social Services

Supporting families and individuals in need.