Aseniwuche Winewak Nation

The Nation

The discovery of coal in the Grande Cache area ignited industrial and residential developments that would shape the town and forever change the ways and lives of the Aseniwuche Winewak. The local Indigenous community was not consulted or invited to participate in any development decisions as they had no legally recognized title to the land. Many traditional sites, homes and gravesites were destroyed, triggering a legacy of loss.

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In 1970, the Province of Alberta and the Aseniwuche Winewak started formal discussions about the land. In 1974, Land Settlement Agreements were created under the Cooperative Association Act, allocating seven parcels of land totalling 4150 acres. Based on traditional family groupings, seven landholdings were established: Victor Lake, Grande Cache Lake (Kamisak), Susa Creek, Muskeg See Pee, Joachim, Wanyandie Flats West and Wanyandie Flats East. The path to establishing the Co-operatives and Enterprises was not easy. In addition to the forcible exit from Jasper, there were two more attempts to remove the Aseniwuche Winewak community from the Grande Cache area in 1912 and 1939.

Following the 1974 Land Settlement Agreements, Alberta subsequently filed caveats on the titles to stop the Aseniwuche Winewak from selling or developing the land without government approval. This created landholdings that are unlike any other in Canada. The Co-operatives and Enterprises are neither Reserve, Metis Settlement, nor considered part of the Hamlet of Grande Cache. The lands must be held communally and cannot be owned or mortgaged by individuals. There was no cash compensation for land now used as provincial parks, the townsite or the coal mine. Each Co-operative and Enterprise is governed by its own President and Board or Manager, respectively.

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Victor Lake Co-operativeShirley Haggart, President
Grande Cache Lake Enterprise (Kamisak)Tom McDonald, Manager
Susa Creek Co-operativeBilly McDonald, President
Muskeg Seepee Co-operativeFloyd Leavitt, President
Joachim EnterpriseLyle Moberly, Manager
Wanyandie Flats East & WestTom Wanyandie, President

Learn more about the history of the Aseniwuche Winewak with the interactive timeline.

As the Town of Grande Cache continued to grow and living off the land became more difficult, social issues arose from systemic discrimination, lack of education and economic opportunities, struggles with culture shock and the loss of the traditional way of life. Substance abuse and suicide became prevalent issues in the eighties and nineties prompting community members to come together to formalize Aseniwuche Winewak Nation as a society in 1994.

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In 2002, AWN became the representative body of more than 400 adult members. Youth and children are considered members through their parent(s) or guardian(s) until they are 18 when they can apply for their adult membership. AWN members live all over western Canada with most of the community residing in Grande Cache, Alberta. About 70% of the membership live in the Co-operatives and Enterprises.

Today, Aseniwuche community members continue to face challenges with housing, education and employment opportunities, generational trauma, mental health, substance abuse, addictions, loss of culture and accessing the basic needs that are afforded to recognized Indigenous groups and all Canadians. AWN’s mission is to support education, programming and representation to build unity in the community by working together to preserve the land, language and culture. The sacred and important knowledge from our Elders guide us and the youth inspire us to make a better future.

How AWN Supports the Nation
Sihtoskâtowin · Supporting & Looking Out for Each Other · ᓯᐦᑐᐢᑲᑐᐃᐧᐣ

Tawow Centre

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Parent-Child Assistance, and Trauma-Informed Care programs.

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Financial Assistance

Helping community members with medical travel and funeral service expenses.

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Supporting Elders

Caring for and honouring the gatekeepers and safeguarders of traditional knowledge and wisdom.

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Education

Assisting community members with financial assistance for education.

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AWN's Claim

An assertion of AWN’s Indigenous rights and land.

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Consultation

Preserving culturally significant sites in the Traditional Territory.

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Membership Code

Community-driven citizenship work to strengthen and develop membership.

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7 Cree Principles

Fundamental Cree teachings inspired by words from Elders.

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Holiday Programs

Sharing holiday cheer with the support of our generous partners.

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Community Awards

Recognizing extraordinary members from the community.

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Aseniwuche Stories

Connect with AWN through our monthly newsletter.

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Covid-19 Relief

Prioritizing the health and safety of community members and the public.

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