Split Lake, Manitoba

Entering the community of Split Lake

Split Lake (Cree: ᑕᑕᐢᑿᔭᕽ, tataskwayak) is a community in Manitoba on the north shore of Split Lake (Manitoba) on the Nelson River about 150 miles west southwest of the river's mouth at Hudson Bay and is within Split Lake 171, a reserve of the Tataskweyak Cree Nation.

It is located 169 kilometres (105 mi) west of Gillam, Manitoba and 143 kilometres (89 mi) northeast of Thompson on Provincial Road 280 in Manitoba's far north. It is considered the half-way point on the dangerous winter drive on MB 280.

Tataskweyak Cree Nation is well known for being one of the most wealthiest First Nation in Northern Manitoba despite the fact that they do have a very-low Employment Rate as per 2020; the Community is also known to have a blooming economy according to charts on First Nations provided by the Manitoba Government. Tataskweyak provides a variety of jobs to its community members as per 2016; they had a population well over 3500+ And in 2021 there is an estimated 5000+ members (no accurate data available) though believed to have bloomed in population the community has their best efforts coming out of multiple programs providing many benefits for its entirety population. Tataskweyak also impressively distributes Millions of dollars to helping their community members though hardly recognized for their hard work, in 2016 (again in 2021) community members had felt they were not supported from their entire leadership despite the facts and charts provided.

COVID-19 pandemic has greatly effected deeply in the community the leadership has took COVID-19 very seriously and in fact has been in full-lockdown an impressive 97.02% of the entirety of the Global pandemic compared to anywhere else in the world they have had one of the highest percentages. Though they have had over 100+ Positive cases in the community in itself. The Pandemic has put a challenge to its people in many ways the biggest challenge was in May 2020, Manitoba Hydro nearly put the community of Tataskweyak Cree Nation and surrounding communities at jeopardy, they stayed strong and stood their ground against the company as the community members believed that Manitoba Hydro can be responsible for any positive cases or outbreak as Manitoba Hydro planned to bring over 2000+ Workers from all over the globe despite the COVID-19 PANDEMIC to the Manitoba Hydro Dam on the Nelson River, roughly 30–50 km away from Tataskweyak Cree Nation. In addition, Split Lake has high number of youth suicides in the year of 2021.^[1]

Profile[]

Split Lake in Manitoba

Split Lake is on the Hudson Bay Railway line that ends at the Port of Churchill. Grey Goose Bus Lines and other companies such as Arctic Beverages and Old Dutch Foods provides the community with freight and goods on a daily basis.

The community also has an annual ice fishing derby, where the first prize is usually a vehicle, as sometimes it has cash prizes, as well as a sporting event every year which is called "indian days".

Tataskweyak is Famously known for their New year celebrations where the community gathers as one and welcomes people from all over the Manitoba Province to celebrate the New Years with events and entertainment from multiple acts and all sorts of talents from Square dancing to Music competition it is a very special night long-awaited every year from its community members. In the month of August every year, Tataskweyak Annual Treaty and Indian Days are special one week events of competitive competition open to all its members, from toddlers to teens, adults to seniors, Indian days is truly a well celebrated week that has multiple cash prizes, many merchandise prizes, giveaways, sports events, water events, tournaments, traditional Leisure activities.

Also, not only in August do they celebrate they also provide the same community fun where they host the annual Winterfest usually in the months of March–April, where family winter fun is celebrated from Winter Games, Snowshoe activities, ice fishing activities, traditional outdoor teachings, every year crowning their King and Queen Trapper.

In 1908 Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake Band) signed an adhesion to Treaty 5.^[2]

Geography[]

The community of Split Lake is located on a peninsula on the northern shore of Split Lake. The Burntwood River and the Nelson River flows into the west end of Split Lake. The Grass River (Manitoba) joins the Nelson just before it enters the lake. The Nelson flows east out from the east end of the lake.^[3]

Demographics[]

Split Lake 171 had a population of 2,107 in the 2011 Canada Census an increase of 15.8% from the 2006 Census.^[4]

References[]

External links[]

• Tataskweyak Cree Nation Official Website
• Tataskweyak Cree Nation profile

Coordinates: 56°14′43″N 96°05′38″W / 56.24528°N 96.09389°W / 56.24528; -96.09389