Our History
Cold Lake First Nation (CLFN) is a Dene Nation whose reserve lands are located near Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada. For thousands of years, Dene people where nomadic– traveling the land and following the seasons between hunting, fishing and gathering places. Because of this the culture and its practices are closely related access to the land as well as the knowledge of how to live with the natural cycles.
The history and life of the Denesuline (Chipewyan) People of Cold Lake is deeply rooted in culture and important part of the identity of the First Nations People with many traditions passed down through generations. The DeneSuline Nation has member tribes living in the triangle of Yellowknife, NWT, Churchill, Manitoba, and Cold Lake, Alberta and belong to the larger Dene Nation. The language and its dialects are spoken across North America Alaska to Mexico.
There are approximately 30 Denesuline communities in this large geographic area which has always been their traditional territory. The Denesuline controlled 85 percent of the fur trade and were well known for their skills in hide preparation, trade and commerce and guiding the newcomers within the Dene Territory.
Oral traditions of Cold Lake First Nations reach back in time and in traditions like those we can expect at the end of the last ice age. Prehistoric artifacts, such as stone tools and pottery, have been dated to over 4,000 years old.
Cold Lake First Nation (CLFN) is a Dene Nation whose reserve lands are located near Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada. For thousands of years, Dene people where nomadic– traveling the land and following the seasons between hunting, fishing and gathering places. Because of this the culture and its practices are closely related access to the land as well as the knowledge of how to live with the natural cycles.
The history and life of the Denesuline (Chipewyan) People of Cold Lake is deeply rooted in culture and important part of the identity of the First Nations People with many traditions passed down through generations. The DeneSuline Nation has member tribes living in the triangle of Yellowknife, NWT, Churchill, Manitoba, and Cold Lake, Alberta and belong to the larger Dene Nation. The language and its dialects are spoken across North America Alaska to Mexico.
There are approximately 30 Denesuline communities in this large geographic area which has always been their traditional territory. The Denesuline controlled 85 percent of the fur trade and were well known for their skills in hide preparation, trade and commerce and guiding the newcomers within the Dene Territory.
Oral traditions of Cold Lake First Nations reach back in time and in traditions like those we can expect at the end of the last ice age. Prehistoric artifacts, such as stone tools and pottery, have been dated to over 4,000 years old.
CLFN Today
CLFN has approximately 2,800 members, 1,500 of which live in the Cold Lake, Alberta area. The CLFN operates a primary school on reserve and high school students attend school off reserve in Cold Lake. Many members still practice traditional activities such as hunting, fishing, berry picking, collecting medicines, and camping on the land. Maintaining access to the land for practice of treaty rights is a key concern for CLFN since the creation of the Air Weapons Range in 1952 resulted in the loss of much of the traditional territory.Approximately 1,500 Band Members live in three distinct neighboring communities, namely LeGoff, English Bay and Cold Lake Town Reserves located near scenic Cold Lake, Alberta.
CLFN has approximately 2,800 members, 1,500 of which live in the Cold Lake, Alberta area. The CLFN operates a primary school on reserve and high school students attend school off reserve in Cold Lake. Many members still practice traditional activities such as hunting, fishing, berry picking, collecting medicines, and camping on the land. Maintaining access to the land for practice of treaty rights is a key concern for CLFN since the creation of the Air Weapons Range in 1952 resulted in the loss of much of the traditional territory.Approximately 1,500 Band Members live in three distinct neighboring communities, namely LeGoff, English Bay and Cold Lake Town Reserves located near scenic Cold Lake, Alberta.
Wetlands, prairie and boreal forest are the CLFN homelands in this eco-region hunting and gathering medicines for centuries. The land is rich in natural resources from oil and gas reserves, water, nutrient-rich land for agriculture, and fish and wildlife. Harailya aims to aid CLFN to sustainably benefit from the resources to provide and sustain for the CLFN people, families and community.
Sustaining Cultural Identity
The unique cultural identify of CLFN is closely connected with the land, the language, the history, and the traditions.
“Everything there is important…. Everything has got a spirit. ….. One without the other is no good…. Everything works together.”
The First Nations worldview is that everything is connected and that everything comes from the land. Caring for and respecting the land as well as passing on the teachings, stories, language and culture are important roles for community elders. These lands have sustained the Dene people for thousands of years and must be kept whole if everyone is to share them for thousands more years.
Land Preservation
Preserving the environment is a priority for Harailya. Environmentally sensitive areas need to be protected, therefore any required development will be executed with best practices applied to preserve and protect the land, environment and CFLN habitat. In development of our projects for the CLFN, we are committed to making sustainable decisions such as innovative technology, and taking great care and consideration for environmental sensitivities to sustain the CLFN land and culture for generations to come.
Sustaining Cultural Identity
The unique cultural identify of CLFN is closely connected with the land, the language, the history, and the traditions.
“Everything there is important…. Everything has got a spirit. ….. One without the other is no good…. Everything works together.”
The First Nations worldview is that everything is connected and that everything comes from the land. Caring for and respecting the land as well as passing on the teachings, stories, language and culture are important roles for community elders. These lands have sustained the Dene people for thousands of years and must be kept whole if everyone is to share them for thousands more years.
Land Preservation
Preserving the environment is a priority for Harailya. Environmentally sensitive areas need to be protected, therefore any required development will be executed with best practices applied to preserve and protect the land, environment and CFLN habitat. In development of our projects for the CLFN, we are committed to making sustainable decisions such as innovative technology, and taking great care and consideration for environmental sensitivities to sustain the CLFN land and culture for generations to come.