Lucky Man First Nation

Located near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is the Anishinabe little man first nation. In history, these Anishinabek probably originated in Montana and were driven out by the United States after the 1876-1877 war ended. They settled near Battleford, Saskatchewan and also in central and north central Alberta, in probably late 1877. They were led by Chief Big Bear, his son chief Little Bear (he may have been Crazy Horse), and chief Lucky Man. The Freemason colony of Canada were weary of these Anishinabek because they knew that they were extremely hostile and had the support of a great many Anishinabek native to the Alberta and Saskatchewan region. In 1879, ogima Lucky Man was elected to represent 25 lodges of Anishinabek to sign an adhesion to treaty six. A few years later trouble arose between these Anishinabek under ogima Lucky Mans leadership and the Freemason colony of Canada, which was centered on ogima Lucky Mans demands to have his Reserve joined together with those of ogima Big Bear, ogima Little Pine, and ogima Poundmaker. Canadian Freemason leaders were in the mood to start trouble with these Anishinabek and refused the offer that ogima Lucky Man and the three other important Anishinabe ogimak requested. They made it clear to Freemason leaders that they would only settle for a very large Reserve, instead of the tiny Reserves the Freemasons only accepted. A war followed in 1885 known as the 1885 Northwest Rebellion. Ogima Lucky Man took part in the war. After the war many of his subjects fled back down into northern Montana, to live on the large Reservation the United States set aside for ogima Little Shell in Idaho, Montana, and Washington. Those left behind settled on ogima Little Pines Reserves. In 1989, Canadian leaders agreed to set aside 3,078 total hectares or 7,680 total acres for the present day Lucky Man Reserve. Total population is 111, with most (81) living off the Reserve, while 6 live on-reserve, and 24 live on other reserves. Many can trace their origins back to Montana, where they originally lived but were driven out by the whites, after the 1868-1886 war. Ogimak Big Bear or Sitting Bull, led them up to Canada.