About This Business

The Aseniwuche Winewak Nation, also known as the Rocky Mountain People, is a community with a rich history and cultural heritage. According to their Elders, they have lived in the mountains for a long time, with their Ancestors being exceptional horse people with intimate knowledge of the land. The creation of Jasper National Park in 1907 forced their Ancestors to leave their homes in the Jasper Valley, leading some families to embark on a two-year journey to join relatives in the Grande Cache and Smoky River area. The Aseniwuche Winewak are unique in that they continued to live the Cree traditional way of life, known as nehiyaw pimâtisiwin, largely undisturbed until the 1960s. Families lived by seasonal rounds, residing in cabins and teepees, and engaging in activities such as hunting, fishing, trapping, and harvesting medicinal plants. The discovery of coal triggered a chain of new developments, leading to the establishment of the Town of Grande Cache in 1969, which challenged the traditional way of life of the Aseniwuche Winewak. Today, the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation strives to work together to take care of their community and the land, supporting education, programming, and representation to build unity and preserve the land, language, and culture. The Nation was formally established in 2002, when the Aseniwuche Winewak Society became the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada, with membership changing from corporate members to individual community members. The Nation is governed by an elected President and Board of Directors, nominated and voted in by the general membership every four years. With over 500 members, including adults, youth, and children, the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation continues to develop and provide programming and services to support the needs of their members. Their story is one of resilience and determination, as they work to balance their traditional way of life with the challenges of modern society. The Aseniwuche Winewak Nation is committed to preserving their cultural heritage and protecting the land for future generations. Through their interactive historical timeline, visitors can learn more about the story of the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation and their journey to where they are today. The Nation's mission is to build unity in their community by working together and preserving the land, language, and culture. By supporting education, programming, and representation, the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation aims to create a brighter future for their members and to ensure the continuation of their traditional way of life.