Its main reserve is Roseau River No. 2 with a population of 564 as of the 2021 Canadian census while the First Nation has a total membership of approximately 2,000 people.[3]
History
The people of Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation have a long history in the area of the Pembina and Red River Valleys in Manitoba, Minnesota, and North Dakota. The Roseau River people had a long history with a clan system which assigned different responsibilities to various clans and societies. Collectively, the Anishinabe (Ojibway) of Manitoba, Western Ontario, North Dakota and Northern Minnesota were known in Ojibwe as the Zoong-gi-dah Anishinabe.[5]
With the arrival of Europeans in the area, they were first called the Pembina Band due to their location in the Pembina Valley.[5] However, as more and more settlers arrived and pushed the people away from their original lands where they hunted, they gradually abandoned these lands.[5] Eventually, with the signing of Treaty 1 on 3 August 1871, a parcel of land was given to the peoples around the Roseau River where the community is now located.[5] Negotiations around land claims remained unresolved until finally being settled in 2011 with an $80 million agreement, part of which is held in trust for future generations.[3][6]
The community had to be evacuated in 1997, 2009, and 2011 as a result of flooding which cut off road access to the community.[5] The community is protected by a ring dike which has prevented large inundation of the community during these floods.[5]
Reserve lands
It has a registered population of 2,152 individuals.
Roseau River No. 2 & 2A are located approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) apart, and about approximately 80 kilometres (50 mi) south of Winnipeg.
Leadership
Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation is a member of the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council. The current Chief and Council are: Chief Gary Roberts; Councillor Terrance Nelson, Councillor Evan Roberts, Councillor Jason Henry and Councillor Rachel Seenie.[3]
