Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, is the oldest community in the province. Its history dates back to 1774 when it was established as a fur trade depot. The community is located on the Saskatchewan River in northeastern Saskatchewan and has a population of around 2,000 people, primarily First Nations and Métis.

 

Cumberland House was a crucial hub for the fur trade, serving as a depot for eastbound furs and westbound trade goods. 

 

It was strategically located at the junction of several major waterways, including the Saskatchewan River, Sturgeon-Weir River, and Churchill River, allowing access to the Athabasca Country to the northwest. 

 

The community faced challenges during its early years, as the inland location and lack of canoe-building expertise among the traders initially hindered transportation.

 

Over time, Cumberland House became necessary as a fur trade center, which was pivotal in supplying pemmican to feed the voyageurs traveling to Lake Athabasca. The community remained vital to the fur trade throughout the 19th century.

 

Today, Cumberland House is still home to the Cumberland House Cree Nation, with a registered population of 1,387 as of 2013. The Cumberland House Airport and Highway 123 serve the community. Cumberland House Provincial Park, which features tours of a historic Hudson's Bay Company powder house, is nearby.

 

History of Cumberland House Saskatchewan, Canada

 

Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, Canada, holds a significant historical legacy as one of the oldest continuous Métis communities in the country, dating back to the 1500s. 

 

Established in 1774 by Samuel Hearne, a servant of the Hudson's Bay Company, Cumberland House became the first permanent settlement in Saskatchewan, strategically located at the junction of major waterways like the Saskatchewan River, Sturgeon-Weir River, and Churchill River.

 

Initially built to counter the competition from Montreal's free traders, Cumberland House played a pivotal role in the fur trade, serving as a distributing and administrative center rather than a significant trading hub due to the presence of rival posts. 

 

Over the years, it evolved into an essential part of the fur trade network, witnessing the movement of fur brigades and trade goods between the West and East.

 

The community's historical significance is further highlighted by its transition from a fur-trading post to an important administrative, distribution, and trading center for the Hudson's Bay Company. 

 

Despite a decline in its role after the union of the Hudson's Bay Company with the North West Company in 1821, Cumberland House remained a vital establishment until 1965, when the original post ceased operations.

 

Today, Cumberland House is the oldest settlement in Saskatchewan, with a population of around 540 residents, mainly of First Nations (predominantly Swampy Cree) and Métis descent. 

 

The community, known as "Waskahikanihk" in Cree, is accessible by air through the Cumberland House airport and Provincial Highway 123. Saskatoon, the nearest major city, is 449 km away.

 

Geography of Cumberland House Saskatchewan, Canada

 

Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, is situated on the Saskatchewan River in Census Division No. 18 in northeast Saskatchewan, Canada. It is the oldest community in Saskatchewan, with about 2,000 people. 

 

The community is located on Pine Island, the northern terminus of Highway 123, and is accessible by the Cumberland House Airport. 

 

Cumberland House is known for its historical significance as a fur trade depot, established in 1774, and played a crucial role in the fur trade network, serving as a depot for eastbound furs and westbound trade goods, as well as pemmican for the voyageurs traveling to Lake Athabasca. 

 

The community has a rich history dating back to the 1500s and is recognized as one of Canada's oldest continuous Métis communities.

 

Demographics of Cumberland House Saskatchewan, Canada

 

The demographics of Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, Canada, reveal a population of about 540 residents living in 192 of its 241 total private dwellings as of 2021. This represents a change of -31.7% from its 2016 population of 791. 

 

With a land area of 16.11 km2 (6.22 sq mi), Cumberland House has a population density of 33.5/km2 (86.8/sq mi) in 2021. 

 

The community comprises First Nations people, predominantly Cree and Métis. English is the primary language; some residents speak Swampy Cree and French. 

 

Additionally, Cumberland House Cree Nation, which governs the community, had a population of 1,387 in March 2013, with 814 members living on-reserve or crown land and 573 off-reserve.

 

Economy of Cumberland House Saskatchewan, Canada

 

The economy of Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, Canada, is diverse and based on various activities such as trapping, farming, fishing, sawmilling, hunting, and guiding. 

 

The community's economy has historical roots in the fur trade. Cumberland House, established in 1774 by the Hudson's Bay Company, has been a significant fur trade depot. 

 

Additionally, the community's economy benefits from the contributions of the Cumberland House Cree Nation, which plays a vital role in the area's economic landscape. 

 

The North West Company, through its Northern store in Cumberland House, has made substantial investments in the community, providing employment opportunities and contributing to the local economy. 

 

Cumberland House's economy combines traditional activities like trapping and farming with modern economic initiatives, showcasing a mix of heritage and contemporary economic practices.

 

Education in Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, Canada

 

Cumberland House Cree Nation offers K-12 education at the Nisto Awasisak Memorial School and Pre-Kindergarten for children aged four before the start of the school year.

 

The Cumberland House Cree Teacher Education Program was also created to provide new opportunities for northern learners. This elementary-middle school stream program has two teaching areas - Cree language instruction and Indigenous studies.

 

The education initiatives in Cumberland House aim to serve the predominantly First Nations (Cree) and Métis population of the community, providing culturally relevant learning opportunities for students. 

 

The programs focus on preserving indigenous languages and traditions while delivering a comprehensive K-12 curriculum.

 

The transport system of Cumberland House Saskatchewan, Canada

 

The key points about the transport system of Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, Canada, are:

• Cumberland House is the northern terminus of Highway 123, providing road access to the community.
• The first bridge across the Saskatchewan River to the mainland was built in 1996. It replaces a ferry during the summer months and ice crossings in the winter.
• The Cumberland House Airport also serves the community, located 1.3 km west of the town.
• Before the bridge and all-weather road were constructed in 1967, Cumberland House was an important transportation hub. It served as a depot for the fur trade and a stop for steamboat freight and passengers on the Saskatchewan River.
• The Northcote, the Hudson's Bay Company's first steam-powered sternwheeler, began plying the Saskatchewan River in 1874 and was used to transport troops and supplies during the 1885 Northwest Resistance.

 

Cumberland House's transportation system has evolved from being an essential fur trade and steamboat hub to now being accessible by road and air, with the construction of a bridge and all-weather highway connecting it to the rest of Saskatchewan.

 

Living in Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, Canada

 

Living in Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, Canada, offers a unique experience in a community rich in history and culture. 

 

With a population of about 540 residents, mainly of First Nations (predominantly Swampy Cree) and Métis descent, the community provides a close-knit environment where traditional practices like trapping, farming, fishing, and hunting are still part of daily life. 

 

The community's economy is diverse, with employment opportunities available, including positions at the Northern store, a significant employer in Cumberland House.

 

Highway 123, the Cumberland House Airport, and the Saskatchewan River facilitate access to Cumberland House, providing both road and air transportation options. 

 

The community values its heritage, as seen in the Cumberland House Cree Nation's commitment to preserving traditions, language, and culture, which is evident in its educational programs and community initiatives. 

 

Additionally, Cumberland House offers essential services such as a K-12 school, health center, daycare, convenience store, and band office, ensuring residents can access necessary amenities.

 

Living in Cumberland House provides a blend of modern conveniences and a solid connection to the land, traditions, and community spirit that define this historic settlement in Saskatchewan.

 

Tourist places in Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, Canada

 

The key tourist places in Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, Canada are:

• Cumberland House Provincial Park:
  The park is near Cumberland House and features tours of a historic 1890s powder house built by the Hudson's Bay Company.
• The Northcote Steamboat:
  Parts of the Northcote, the Hudson's Bay Company's first steam-powered sternwheeler operated on the Saskatchewan River, are preserved at the Cumberland House National Historic Site.
• Cumberland House National Historic Site of Canada:
  This national historic site commemorates the location of the Hudson's Bay Company's first inland fur-trading post, established in 1774, which led to the founding of Saskatchewan's oldest permanent settlement.

 

The key elements contributing to this historic site's heritage character include the surviving powder house, the setting on Pine Island overlooking the Saskatchewan River, and any archaeological remains from the fur trade era.

 

The main tourist attractions in Cumberland House are the provincial park, the preserved steamboat artifacts, and the national historic site that showcases the community's origins as a crucial fur trade hub in the 18th and 19th centuries.

 

The Hudson's Bay Company built Cumberland House as a fur-selling post in the late 1700s. It was an essential part of the fur trade because it was where European traders and Native Americans, especially the Swampy Cree and Métis communities, could do business and share their culture. 

 

The trading post made it easier for people to trade furs, goods, and ideas, changing the area's economy and society.

 

Today, Cumberland House keeps its cultural heritage alive by having a population mainly comprised of Indigenous people who still follow their customs and way of life. People from the area love going to powwows and other traditional gatherings, which are full of life and celebrate Indigenous art, music, and dance.

 

People who love nature are drawn to Cumberland House because of its beautiful natural surroundings. The area offers many outdoor activities like fishing, shooting, camping, and watching wildlife. 

 

The Saskatchewan and Cumberland rivers have clean water that is great for fishing. They are full of different kinds of fish, like walleye, northern pike, and lake trout. Many animals, like moose, black bears, and migratory birds, live in the nearby forests, making it an excellent place for nature fans and photographers.

 

Cumberland House is a beautiful place to visit and an important historical site. The old Hudson's Bay Company trading post is now a National Historic Site of Canada, where visitors can see what's left of it. 

 

Interpretive displays and guided tours show how the area's fur trading history has shaped western Canada's past.

 

For those looking for an authentic Canadian experience in the middle of Saskatchewan's wild west, Cumberland House is a site worth visiting despite its remote location due to its friendly atmosphere and rich cultural legacy.

 

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