Welcome to the official website of the As'in'î'wa'chî Ni'yaw Nation, also known as Kelly Lake Cree Nation (KLCN).
ᑕᓂᓯ | Tansi!
Kelly Lake Cree Nation represents more than 800 citizens whose territory includes extensive areas in present day northeastern British Columbia and west-central Alberta. The As’in’î’wa’chî Ni’yaw people are one of few groups in the Peace River region that were not included in the treaty process.
Our ancestors.
Prior to the arrival of European settlers in the west, the Cree and Assiniboine were the main traders of the area. Many KLCN ancestors aided the North West Company and set up several trading posts, including Jasper House.
Iroquois in the west.
The Iroquois trappers (often referred to as Freemen) came to the territory with the North West Company in the late 18th century and intermarried.
Louis Kwarakwante, one of the patriarchs of our people, first met Father De Smet April 1845 at Jasper Lake.
Our people were expert canoe men and guides to early explorers such as Peter Pond, Alexander Mackenzie, Palliser, Milton and Cheadle, George Simpson, David Thompson and Samuel Prescott Fay.
Thomas Kwarakwante, son of Louis, guided David Thompson through the Athabasca Pass December 1810.
Our territory.
The traditional territory of the As’in’î’wa’chî Ni’yaw people extends from the interior plains of Alberta and northeastern British Columbia to the Rocky Mountain Trench.
We are not opposed to development in our territory — development activities provide employment for many of our citizens — but, we must have an active, meaningful role in determining the course of development in our territory.
We have always been collaborators, working closely with our neighbours for the greater health, happiness and security of all. This is how we approach relationships with proponents interested in working in our territory.
Proponents wishing to conduct land-changing activities within KLCN’s traditional territory are required to contact our lands management and referrals office.
Economic Development
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Pipelines
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Construction
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Site Services
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Equipment