George Gordon
​First Nation

Population: 3293

Chief Byron Bitternose 
Box 248 Punnichy Sask. S0A-3C0
Phone: 1 (306) 835-2232
Fax: 1 (306) 835-2036
Toll Free: 1 (877) 835-2232

Website

Signed Treaty #4 in 1874                             Languages: Cree, Saulteaux, English

History

In 1874, Treaty 4 was established between Queen Victoria and the Cree/Saulteaux First Nations. On September 15 of the same year, Kaneonuskatew (or, in his English name of George Gordon) was among the first of the Indigenous leaders to make the agreement, signing as Chief of the George Gordon First Nation. By 1884, half of the families belonging to the nation were farming, a development which had commenced in 1876, and would continue for many years. Although both George Gordon and his son, Moses Gordon, were originally hereditary chiefs, the people have since adopted the practice of democratically voting their chiefs and councillors into office.

From 1889 to 1996, George Gordon First Nation was the location of the longest-running residential school in Canada. Attendance there devastated many members of the nation-state as children because of various forms of abuse. The schools have been proven to have allowed abuse of the children. The federal government has paid compensation and made apologies, but much damage was done. The residential schools, founded with positive intentions, created a dark chapter in Canadian history. On the First Nation, the George Gordon Recovery and Wellness Centre provides services and support to the victims of the abuse that occurred at too many schools.
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On September 15, 1874 in the area knows as the Qu'Appelle Lakes, thirteen Cree/Saulteaux Bands of the area signed Treaty Four, also known as the Qu'Appelle Treaty, between the bands and Her Majesty Queen of Great Britain and Ireland. Ka-ne-on-us-ka-tew ("One Who Walks On Four Claws") signed as Chief of Little Touchwood Hills. The Treaty includes provisions for reserves, farming, education, support for continued hunting and fishing, annuities, suits and medals.