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OUR COMMUNITY
Gaa-maamawi’ayaa’aang

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Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation

            oseau River Anishinabe First Nation is a rural community located approximately one hour south of
Winnipeg, Manitoba. Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation has three physical reserves:

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  • Roseau River No. 2 is the main reserve located 98 kilometers south of the city of
    Winnipeg (Highway 75 turn East onto Provincial Road 201). It is just 24 kilometers north
    of Emerson and within the catchment area of the Southern Regional Health Authority
    Incorporated. It is bordered by the communities of Dominion city and Letellier inSouthern Manitoba (25 km’s north of the Emerson-US international border crossing).

  • Roseau Rapids No. 2A is considerably geographically smaller. It is located off Highway
    218 north (80 kilometers south of Winnipeg).

  • Roseau River No. 2B, even smaller, is located at the junctions of Highways 6 & 236 and the Perimeter Highway on the northwest side of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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All of the reserve lands are accessible by all weather roads which are well maintained.


The community had to evacuate in 1997, 2009 and 2011 due to flooding of the Red and

Roseau Rivers which prevented road access in and out of the community.

The main community itself is

protected by a dike system.

"The sounds of thousands of prayers rise in rhythm of her jingles as her dance brings healing to her people."
Unknown

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Where the Heart is

History and Heritage

       he people of Roseau have a rich history in the Red River and Pembina Valleys. The Anishinabe had a structure of social order known as the clan system. The system assigned responsibilities to various clans and societies. Collectively, the Ojibway of Manitoba, Western Ontario, North Dakota and Northern Minnesota were known as the Zoong-gi- dah Anishinabe, the “Strong Heart People.” They were given this name by the Midewiwin (the original Ojibway Spiritual Society) of Wisconsin in recognition of their bravery.


Prior to the signing of treaty one, this band wasn’t known as Roseau River but rather as the Pembina Band (the word “Pembina” may come from the Cree nepeminan, meaning high bush cranberry). Some members in earlier times lived along the Pembina River and Joe Creek in North Dakota. When white settlers came and began to clear land, bands had to go further and further away from their home
territories to hunt. Bands scattered and when Treaty 1 was signed, a new name and grouping was given to the people around Roseau River.


The Anishinabe at Roseau River signed Treaty 1 with the Crown of Great Britain in Right of Canada on August 3, 1871.

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"The drums will always beat loudly in our hearts even through the noise of the world, and every time your feet touch our Mother Earth our souls will feel the pull of those who walked before us."
William Windwalker

Grandfather, Sacred One, Teach us Love, Compassion, and Honour.
Nimishoomis, Gaa-maamaandawizid, Gikinaamowishinaam Zhawenjigewin, Gidimaagenimowin, Gweyakaadiziwin

That we may heal the Earth and heal each other.
Ji-nanaandawe’amaang Aki zhigo dinawemaaganinaanig

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