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DAY STAR FIRST NATION
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HISTORY

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Chief Day Star
(Kii-si-caw-ah-chuck)

Prior to signing Treaty 4 on September 15, 1874, Chief Day Star (Kii-si-caw-ah-chuck) and his people hunted near the south branch of the Saskatchewan River. A reserve was surveyed in September 1876, with alterations made to the boundary in 1881 and 1888. Day Star remained chief until his death in 1892. Initially, cultivation was done using spades and hoes, and a plot known as the “community garden” was maintained by the whole reserve. The community developed a fine herd of cattle, each farmer keeping his herd until they numbered 10 to 12 animals, then giving half of them to someone else who could then get started. After the band received walking ploughs they began to grow wheat, barley, and oats, and with the arrival of the railway in Lipton in 1905 an outlet was created for the sale of their produce.
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In 1946 Chief Kinequon and Willie Buffalo purchased the first tractor, and as more modern equipment appeared, people began to farm as individuals. Social events involved a variety of games including football for men and lacrosse for women, as well as horse racing, rodeos, and powwows; after a hall was built in 1938, dances and bingo parties were also held. In 1953 a hockey team was organized,and bingo parties were held to raise money for equipment. The 6,724-ha reserve is located 16 km north of Punnichy, with land also near Last Mountain Lake. There are 426 members of this band, 130 of whom live on reserve.

-Christian Thompson
The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan



Day Star is a nation that has strong ties to its Cree language roots.
Today, most Day Star members speak and/or understand the Cree language.

Past Chiefs & Headsmen

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1874-1904 Day Star
1912-1935 Kinequon
1936-1964 James Kinequon
1964-1967 Morris Kinequon
1967-1969 Anthony Kinequon
1969-1971 Mark Kinequon
1971-1973 Hilliard Crowe Buffalo
1973-1979 Steven Kapay
1979-1979 Tony Kinequon
1979-1981 Hilliard Crowe Buffalo
1987-1991 Cameron Kinequon
Present- Chief Lloyd Buffalo
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