Swan River First Nation

[3] Swan River First Nation was one of five Woodland Cree communities around Lesser Slave Lake that together composed a regional band.

[4] On January 1, 1890, a majority of the Lesser Slave Lake Cree communities were in favor of Treaty.

The RCMP first came to the area by 1897, and by 1899, Treaty 8 was signed on the shore of Lesser Slave Lake by Kinosayo (Andrew Willier) of Driftpile FN, Moostoos of Sucker Creek FN, Weecheewaysis, Charles Nesootasis, and Felix Giroux.

Unlike southern bands, First Nations communities around Lesser Slave Lake did not have chiefs.

[4] Kinosayo was replaced by his brother Astatchikun (Felix Willer), who served as chief until his death in 1936.