Woodland Cree
;)
The Woodland Cree are one of the largest First Nations populations in northern Alberta. They are from the Algonkian language group, with an original territory around the Hudson’s Bay from present day Churchill to James Bay to Lac Mistassini.
During the fur trade, the Cree were the middlemen and traveled west, claiming territory until the 18th century. After the Cree acquired guns through trade they were able to claim territory in the north and parts of the southern parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
;)
The Cree were established in the territory between the Peace River and the Saskatchewan River by 1800.
The Cree were known to be very good hunters, trappers, warriors, and traders. They provided the fur trades’ food, and negotiations between the Europeans and other First Nations. The Cree women were also seen as very attractive to European traders as they provided support and improved relations with the Cree.
The children of the marriages between the Cree and the European traders became the Métis people. The Métis sons of high ranking fur traders often received an education and took critical roles in the fur trade like clerks and traders.
;)
The 1897 influx of gold seekers traveling to the Klondike caused many hardships for First Nations peoples of the Peace River region as they arrived with few provisions. The gold rush newcomers aggressively depleted animal populations by using steel traps and used poison to kill the dogs of First Nations Peoples.
With the pressure from these newcomers, many Cree welcomed the Treaty 8 commission and signed the Treaty in 1899. The Lubicon Cree band was missed in the negotiations for Treaty 8 and they continue to make their claims.
;)
Many Aboriginal people now work in the oil, gas, and forestry industries, as well as education, law, social services, and the arts.