Pimicikamak

The traditional territory of Pimicikamak is around Sipiwesk Lake in the heart of the boreal forest, five hundred kilometres north of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

[note 4] The existence of distinct peoples in Canada, though constitutionally entrenched,[3] is controversial by reason of perceived implications for Quebec separatism.

[14] Displacing indigenous spirituality through Christian missions was said to be "one of the most effective tools of assimilation" leading to "conformity within newly prescribed territorial limits.

"[15] Canadian law continues to recognize relationships of aboriginal peoples with their traditional (c.f., treaty) territories.

"[17] European documentary records date back at least to 1768, when a map showed Pemichicomo Lake in the area known as Rupert's Land.

In 1977 it was party to an amendment[note 7] to address effects of the Nelson River Hydroelectric Project operations on its Treaty 5 rights.

[22] Treaty 5, signed by the British Crown and by Tepastenam and two others on Pimicikamak's behalf in 1875, clearly were intended to and did amend this customary constitution.

In 1875, the Ministry of the Interior determined to extend the Crown's treaty relations to the peoples east and west but not north of Lake Winnipeg.

[26] In September 1875, with Privy Council authority, Treaty Commissioners Alexander Morris[27] and James McKay embarked on the Hudson's Bay Company steamer to several destinations on Lake Winnipeg to make a treaty whose terms, boundaries and signatories were essentially predetermined.

Under one interpretation of Canadian law, aboriginal peoples may have treaty rights, but these are vested with the entire community and not the band council.

These were Kiseyak Otabiwinik (where the Elders sit), Iskweyanak (the women), Opimbatawuk (the runners, or youth) and Okaniskoteyawuk (the hunters & warriors; lit., the keepers of the gate).

The Council of Elders may have been based on Midewiwin society practices introduced hundreds of years ago from neighbouring Ojibwa (known to themselves as the Anishinaabeg).

Historically, women appear to have had higher status in Cree societies than that accorded by contemporaneous European and some other aboriginal civilizations.

"[43] In the Pimicikamak world view, women are symbolically associated with water, life, the direction west, and the color red.

[45] Consistent with their historical status, the Women's Council has key roles[46] in Pimicikamak government including control of elections[47] and a veto over written laws.

[50] The largest community in Pimicikamak is Cross Lake, now connected to the western part of its traditional territory by the Kichi Sipi Bridge.