1. Past and Present | 2. Governance | 3. Services | 4. Facilities | 5. Businesses | 6. Annual Events | 7. Pictures of Patuanak
Welcome to the new English River First Nations website. This website hopes to give you a in-depth look at the beliefs and political structure surrounding a First Nation band.
Please feel free to call or email us if you have any questions that our site did not provide answers for. Thank you for your time and we hope you enjoy your stay.
English River First Nation is located at Patuanak, Saskatchewan and contains seven different reserves registered under English River Band. There is La Plonge, Wapachewunak, Ile A La Crosse, Elak Base, Knee Lake, Dipper Rapids, Cree Lakr and Primeau Lake. English River First Nation is one of the nine reserves within Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC).
English River emerged from the signing of Treaty 10 in 1906. The name originates from the English River where the Poplar House People inhabited the area for periods during the year. Years ago, the reserve was known as Grassy Narrows Reserve. Most families, which now reside at Patuanak, had traditionally lived down river at Primeau Lake, Knee Lake and Cree Lake or Dipper Lake.
The chief at the time of signing was Chief William Apesis. Patuanak is a Dene speaking community with an average of 1,000 people, with over 600 living on reserve. The village is situated near the Churchill River, which allows for fishing, hunting and gathering.
There are no paved roads in Patuanak, and only one gravel road leading out of Patuanak towards their reserve La Plonge and the town of Beauval. The other way of travel is by boat. An individual can cross the lake to Ile A La Crosse and in the winter, the route is taken by ski-doo.
Education has always been a big part of English River with the children going to Residential Schools in Ile a la Crosse and Beauval. The elementary school was first built in 1971, and by 1995 the band had erected a modern structure for the children's benefit. High School students continued travelling to Meadow Lake, La Ronge and Beauval for secondary schooling, until the high school was completed in 2000.
The Roman Catholic Church has been a prominent part of the community. Father Louis Moraud, in 1916, became the resident priest of Patuanak. He served the English River area until his death in 1965. There is a one day pilgrimage to the Grotto near the church, which has faithful followers from English River.
Today, English River thrives with many of the people owning their own businesses from daycare and cafes to outfitters and rental stores. Many are employed at the local Northern store, through the Band Office, at the Clinic and Aboriginal Headstart Program, and at the Gas Bar. English River also owns Tron Power, an company located in Saskatoon, which empoys Aboriginal people for contracts near the mines.
Patuanak itself, as a reserve and town, is a prospering place. It lies beside the Churchill River, which never freezes over, and is surrounded by lush vegetation. The Band Office itself is a popular place, with Elders stopping by to voice their concerns with the Chief and the Councilors and youth coming by with smaller children to see relatives for a quick visit.
Outside Patuanak and English River Links:
English River First Nation Links
English River First Nation History
Band Details
Aboriginal Claims: ERFN
Patuanak Links
Patuanak -KCDC
Patuanak - Northern Sask
Elder Story
Election in English River take place every two years. It is a voting system, with each vote as one count. Members on and off reserve participate to elect their new Chief and Council. There is one Chief and six Councilors. This is the result as of this year:
| Title | Name | Appointment Date | Expirery Date |
| Chief | Tobie Aubichon | 10/27/2003 |
10/26/2005 |
|
Councillor |
Frank Campbell | 10/27/2003 |
10/26/2005 |
|
Councillor |
Etienne Black | 10/27/2003 |
10/26/2005 |
|
Councillor |
Ronald Campbell | 10/27/2003 |
10/26/2005 |
|
Councillor |
Cynthia John | 10/27/2003 |
10/26/2005 |
|
Councillor |
Marie Black | 10/27/2003 |
10/26/2005 |
|
Councillor |
Patrick Campbell | 10/27/2003 |
10/26/2005 |
The chief and council are the authorized government and legal authority on the English River Reserve. In the Indian Act, the chief and council have high authority regarding local matters while on the reserve. The council and chief adopted a portfolio and committee system. Final decisions are made by chief and council.
Band councilors are given responsibility for a portfolio, suited to their abilities. The councilors are responsible for matters within their portfolio. This is this year's council and their portfolio's:
| Tobie Aubichon | Overall Director |
| Frank Campbell | Traditional Land Entitlement/Group Insurance |
| Etienne Black | Economic Development |
| Ronald Campbell | Recreation/Wellness |
| Cynthia John | Justice/Constitution |
| Marie Black | Education |
| Patrick Campbell | Health/Housing |
Band Government Administration
The federal government provides funding through programs to support political and administrative functions of the English River First Nation. Funds are used to support First Nation operations and activities including hiring of administrative staff, salaries, travel, office expenses, pension plan contributions, audit fees and other general administrative expenses.
Funds under these program can be used for other activities. An example of this is Indian management development, training, institutional support and advisory support. The funds may also be used for community based planning and management support services.
Housing
Band housing is a federal program. Services provided include residential housing construction, renovations and repairs for houses of band members living on the reserve.
The chief and council have responsibility for program delivery of housing construction and renovations on the reserve. Housing allocation decisions are made in accordance with the band's own housing policy.
A housing authority provides assistance to the chief and council regarding all housing matters while the housing program is managed/administered through the Band Office, and English River contracts its own people for construction crew managers.
Community Health and Prevention Services
Public health services through English River and the Health Clinic include clinics, home care service, health care advice, school and public health education, child, family and maternal health care, medical transportation, additional counseling, and support to First Nation's government and local health organizations. The Health Clinic also runs several ongoing programs to benefit individuals and family members. Health Service Board has meetings once a month to keep their services updated and reliable.
Social Assistance/Welfare Services
Services include Social Assistance for individuals in need.
Education Programs
Education, encompassing elementary, secondary and post secondary education, is of a high importance to ERFN. The Education Board meets once a month to discuss options regarding the education within ERFN. The elementary part of St. Louis School, has culture as an important part of their curriculum, learning Dene instead of French or Cree, and singing the national anthem in Dene.
The High School has modern facilities, with computers, sewing labs and a new gym. St. Louis wants to supply life skills as well as education to their students.
The Post Secondary Program involves many students, some graduating, some have stayed out of school for years. It's a chance for a higher education, one that is highly encouraged. More information regarding Post Secondary Schooling, as well as application forms and scholarship information/application forms can be found here:
Post Secondary Schooling
Recreational Activities
Recreation for the Youth and Elders, as well as parents, has been a big interest in the Patuanak community. For the youth, new programs are initiated such as the Music Program, a one week music training session held at the St. Louis School for youths ages 9 to 18. Baseball and slo-pitch teams are constantly being created and games take place at the St. Louis School ball field. Culture Camps are held at the traditional hunting grounds outside Patuanak and Youth Camps are held at the local beach. Youth Conferences are popular, with youths fundraising to go to outside ones and they also have an annual conference for surrounding communities. The Youth Center is a popular hang out [place for all ages, as it's filled with a pool table, foosball table, TV VCR, and stereo.
William Apesis Memorial Band Hall- (306) 396-2221
The Band Hall is recent, only about ten years old. It is used for dances, weddings, reception, town meetings, recreational activities and wakes. There is a stage area, where local musicians often practice, and a small kitchen for food and coffee to be kept at weddings and the such. It is named after the chief at the time of the signing, William Apesis.
English River Aboriginal Headstart Program- (306) 396-2244
School starts early with the Headstart Program, aimed to promoting the abilities that children need to succeed in kindergarten. It is a learning facility with the child being their main priority. They integrate Aboriginal beliefs about raising a child with modern education.
St. Louis School - (306) 396-2161
St. Louis School is a Kindergarten to Grade Twelve school situated between the Reserve and Hamlet of Patuanak. There had been an elementary school since 1971, but the new St. Louis School is the third time it had been rebuilt. It was done for the third time in 1995 and the High School was added on and completed in 2000. They had their first Grade 12 Graduation in 2001. St. Louis School has two modern computer labs, eleven classrooms, a science lab and a library, a special education/resources lab, a staff room, home EC lab, and a multipurpose shop. Lunch is served everyday, and Elders are part of the education process, providing nurturing to each individual.
English River Health Clinic - (306) 396-2072
The Clinic was built during the summer of 1993 and had its grand opening in 1994. There are roughly twenty-two workers, all of them being from English River Band. The Clinic has programs such as home care, home health aid, NNADAP ( National Native Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program) and ICFS (Indian Child Family Services). The clinic is divided into one part office and part medical clinic. The clinic handles emergencies and common ailments, and has access to emergency airlifts.
CPAT 89.9 Radio Station - (306) 396-4417/4416
CPAT 89.9 is a local radio station, run by radio manager Pat D'Jonaire "Pat D'Jon on the Air" as he likes to call himself. CPAT has been running since 1991, on Channel 9 for local TV. Pat broadcasts from 9 A.M. to 12 'noon daily, and in Cree and Dene from 1 P.M. to 5 P.M. He does announcements, requests and sells items.
Center for the Youth
The Youth Center was built in 2001. It has a TV, stereo, foosball and pool tables, VCR and arcade games for the youth. There is adult supervision when opened, and was painted by youth in the community with waves and dolphins decorating the interior.
English River Gas Bar - (306) 396-2229
The Gas Bar was situated in front of the Northern, but it was recently rebuilt in September of 2003 beside the road leading out of town. There are six workers, all from English River Band. They sell junk food, a small amount of groceries, ice cream, drinks and cigarettes, as well as oil and gas.
English River Fire Suppression - (306) 396-2172
Fire Suppression works around the community, cutting grass, helping the Elders and it benefits the community with keeping it clean as well as being on call. It is seasonal contract work, and there are two groups. One is for the Reserve and one group is for the Hamlet of Patuanak.
The Ovide G. McIntyre Memorial Arena- (306) 396-2270
The Arena is a complex with four dressing rooms and one broadcasting station for announcing games. One side of the arena is lined with benches for the fans, while the other side is dedicated to the players’ boxes. The Arena has a small kitchen for cooking and selling food. The Arena is often used for hockey tournaments and small attractions that come to town when the ice is not put down. Graduation ceremonies sometimes take place there, when the graduating class is too large for the gymnasium at the school.
The Roman Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic Church holds Mass on Sundays, as well as special occasions such as Easter and Christmas. It is an active part of the community.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - (306) 396-4600
The RCMP shares work with Beauval, it being the closest community. Officers keep watch for the benefit of the community.
Lein Wolverine Park
The Park is located across from the William Apesis Band Hall, a small area for children to run and play.
Canada Post Corp. (Post Office)- (306) 396-4400
The Post Office gets mail every Tuesday and Friday and is open on mail days.
Keewatin Yatthe Regional Health Authority Ambulance- (306) 310-5000
ABC's - (306) 396-2275
ABC's is a locally run confectionery store that sells pop, chips, snacks, as well as rents movies and DVD's. They also have a pool table that is very popular with the youth around Patuanak. Open until 11 PM, this is the nightlife in Patuanak.
Cree Lake Resort - (306) 396-4436
Cree Lake Resort is a fishing lodge that welcomes all visitors. Managed by local guide Lawrence John, it is a prosperous outfitting. It is located at Cree Lake in Northern Saskatchewan, a beautiful area that is fly in only. More information can be found here: Cree Lake Resort.
Golden Wally Outfitters - (306) 396-2174
Golden Wally is a family run operation located in Northern Saskatchewan. They offer fishing in three lakes, as well as hunting. They are a hour and half boat ride from Patuanak itself. More information can be found here: Golden Wally Outfitters.
J&J's Cafe - (306) 396-2333
J&J's cafe is a small cafe situated near the Band Hall and Fire Suppression Shack. Eat in on the outdoor patio or take out, they serve fresh, homemade food.
The Northern Store - (306) 396-2103
The Northern is a medium sized store that offers groceries, snacks, movies and DVD's for sale, as well as blankets, clothing and all sorts of outdoor equipment. They are an outlet for Selections, a northern magazine which many order furniture and extras from.
Patuanak Taxi - (306) 396-2017
Treaty Days
Treaty Days happens every summer in July. It takes place by the local Northern and rivers edge. Races, tournaments, food, fun and games happen on this day.
Pilgrimage
A Pilgrimage to the Church by the riverside happens every summer in late July/early August.
New Years Skating party
The Skating Party is held New Year's Eve, to promote a healthy lifestyle and family togetherness. It is a dry skating party with food and music available. Turnouts have always been large, and it is a much looked forward to event.
Culture Camp
Culture Camps are an important part of educating the Youth of Patuanak about their culture. At these camps, which usually take place at the traditional hunting grounds, the youth learn survival techniques for the wilderness. Young women learn how to clean and skin animals as well as prepare meals, bannock and tea over an open fire. The young men help with these chores and get water, hunt and track animals.
Youth Camp
The Youth Camps are for the children of Patuanak. Held at the beach, they are free to go swimming, have hot dog and marshmallow roasts, sleep in tents and bond with each other.
Please click on the link to see some pictures that were taken of Patuanak's buildings and area. No text, just pictures with titles. Easily loaded and viewed. Pictures of Patuanak
English River First Nation
General Delivery -
Patuanak, SK -
S0M 2H0
Telephone: (306) 396-2066 - Fax: (306) 396-2155
Email: erfn.skenny@sasktel.net