The Beardy's and Okemasis Cree Nation app is now available

Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation is a Willow Cree Nation. Its members belong to the nêhiyawak (Plains Cree Nation) and speak nêhiyawêwin. In Cree, the combined reserve is called ᓃᐱᓰᐦᑯᐹᐏᔨᓃᓈᕽ nîpisîhkopâwiyinînâhk, "among the Willow Cree." The Nation takes its name from two Willow Cree Chiefs: Beardy (kâmiyescawesit, "one who has a little beard") and Okemasis (okimâsis, "little chief").

Before Treaty 6 was signed in 1876, Beardy and Okemasis led two-thirds of the Willow Cree band and settled west of Duck Lake. Their two bands later joined together. Chief Beardy was one of the signers of Treaty 6 on August 28, 1876. The Nation's territory covers the North and South Saskatchewan river region and beyond. It lies near Fort Carlton, Batoche and Duck Lake, places linked to the story of Almighty Voice and to Louis Riel's Resistance of 1885.

The Nation describes itself as forward-looking and close-knit, and proud of caring for one another. Its governance is led by the community, grounded in accountability and transparency, and guided by the ancestors' visions. Chief Edwin Ananas was re-elected for a third term in March 2026. He serves with an eight-member council.

The Nation values self-sufficiency through economic development, jobs, training and education. Its business arm, the Willow Cree Development Corporation, broke ground on a grocery store just off Highway 11 in late 2025. Learn more at bocn.ca.