Our Story

Tallcree Nation is a Woodland Cree Nation in the boreal forest of northern Alberta. Our people have lived on this land for generations, connected to the Peace River, the forest, and the rhythms of the seasons. The land has always provided what we need, and through hunting, fishing, and trapping, our families built a way of life that kept us close to the land and to one another.
Our-History

Our History

The stories of our ancestors are carried in our Cree language and teachings. Families followed the cycles of the land, moving with the seasons and caring for the places that sustained us. In 1899, Tallcree became a signatory to Treaty 8. The treaty was meant to protect our way of life and create peaceful relations with newcomers, but like many Nations, we faced hardships after the signing. The arrival of settlers, residential schools, and government restrictions disrupted our families, weakened our traditions, and denied us the rights that had been promised. Much of our language and culture was lost across generations, but our identity endured.

Our Communities

Despite the hardships, Tallcree remained strong. South Tallcree, near Fort Vermilion, became the first reserve recognized as part of our Nation. Over time, many families moved north to be closer to traplines and traditional lands, forming North Tallcree. Today, our Nation includes North Tallcree, South Tallcree, Beaver Ranch, and Fort Vermilion, along with eight parcels of reserve land. Each place has its own landscape and way of life, yet all are united by family, language, and shared purpose under the leadership of one Chief and Council through the Tallcree Tribal Government.
Our-Communities
Our-Future

Our Future

Our work today is to serve, protect, and strengthen our people. We are deeply committed to bringing back what was once taken. Through culture camps and community gatherings, our Elders pass on knowledge to our youth. Children hear stories that carry the wisdom of generations, learn skills on the land, and speak Cree with pride. These experiences ensure that the next generations grow with a strong sense of identity and heritage. Rooted in tradition and strengthened by the challenges we have faced, Tallcree Nation proudly carries forward the words that define us:

Strong People, Strong Land.

As the budding leaf,
we will grow

With knowledge, resilience, and vision, ensuring that our youth inherit not just a future, but a thriving Nation.