Chippewa O'Chiese First Nation

Likely late arrivals to alberta, the ancestors of the chippewa ochiese first nation probably settled down in the rocky mountain house region around 1800. They joined with the anishinabek who had already lived in that region for centuries. Their history is one which is difficult to ascertain because of the diluted history recorded since the late 19th century. Since they did not officially agree to a treaty negotiated in 1876, that leads me to suspect they participated in the 1885 northwest rebellion, and the whites refused to negotiate with them. Anyway, by the 1950s, the chippewa O'Chiese First Nation leaders finally negotiated with the canadian whites and agreed to accept the terms of the 1876 treaty. They were reserved some land near the rocky mountain house region of alberta, where they continue to live.

The population of the ochiese chippewa's is 963. About 644 chippewa's live on the first nation reserve. In alberta, their first nation reserve covers over 34,921 acres, or 14,132 hectares. Their history indicates that they journeyed as far south as the milk river in montana to hunt and trap. Of course, that means they controlled a large area of land in alberta, montana and saskatchewan. Today, they live in an area in alberta just southwest of edmonton, and located between rocky mountain house and edson. It is about 9 miles northwest of rocky mountain house and about 93 miles south of edson. Between edson, to coalspur, to brazeau, to rocky mountain house, to red deer, to bently, to breton, to leduc, to edmonton, to wabamun lake, then to edson again, are only three small towns. The area is at its widest 135 miles long, and at its greatest height in length, 88 miles. It is likely highly prized white ranch land. The ochiese first nation is right in the middle of that isolated region. The rocky mountains are only 35 miles from the ochiese first nation.

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