The Cree name for Enoch is maskêkosihk (pronounced Muss-Kay-Go-Sik) and translates as “people of the land of medicine“.
Chief Lapotac was the earliest known leader of Enoch. The Lapotac band was recognized by the Crown in 1842. When Chief Lapotac died in 1861, his son Thomas Lapotac became the Chief of the “Tommy’s Band”. In 1883 Chief Tommy Lapotac died and his brother Enoch Lapotac became chief. In 1884, Chief Enoch Lapotac joined other chiefs and signed Treaty 6. The result was the creation of "Tommy's Reserve". Tommy's reserve, which became Indian Reserve No. 135, the Stony Plain Indian Reserve, and finally Enoch Cree Nation, was originally 44 sections of land including access to the North Saskatchewan River on the southeast corner.
The band's land mass was reduced by forced surrender in 1902 and 1908 to nearly half of its original size. On January 20, 1902, the northern 12 sections (out of the original 44) were surrendered and sold to private (non-First Nation) buyers.
On May 13, 1908, 10 additional sections on the east side, including river access, were surrendered. The legitimacy of the surrender was questioned and it took until July 29, 1908, for the government to officially accept it. It is disputed whether the band received fair market value for their surrendered land or were even compensated at all.
Once the band entered the reserve, their economy was largely based on agriculture. Oil was discovered on the reserve in 1947 and became a major source of band funding. The fall in oil prices in 1986 led the band to look for new revenue sources.
In October 2006 the Nation opened the
@rivercreeresort , a $180-million casino, hotel and sports complex located on the northeast corner of the larger reserve, adjacent to the
@cityofedmonton .
Our people descend from The Plains Cree and are now 2,566+ band members strong. We are connected to this land, and strive to be stewards of Okimaw askiy (mother earth). We are a vibrant community, connected with our culture through our language, stories, songs, dance and ceremony.
@enochcreenation are proud members of the Confederacy of Treaty Six. Great partnerships thrive because the people need each other.
