ABOUT US:

 The people of Roseau have a rich history in the Red River and Pembina Valleys. The Anishinabe had a structure of social order known as the clan system. The system assigned responsibilities to various clans and societies. Collectively, the Ojibway of Manitoba, Western Ontario, North Dakota and Northern Minnesota were known as the Zoong-gi- dah Anishinabe, the “Strong Heart People.” They were given this name by the Midewiwin (the original Ojibway Spiritual Society) of Wisconsin in recognition of their bravery.

Prior to the signing of treaty one, this band wasn’t known as Roseau River but rather as the Pembina Band (the word “Pembina” may come from the Cree nepeminan, meaning high bush cranberry). Some members in earlier times lived along the Pembina River and Joe Creek in North Dakota. When white settlers came and began to clear land, bands had to go further and further away from their home
territories to hunt. Bands scattered and when Treaty 1 was signed, a new name and grouping was given to the people around Roseau River.

The Anishinabe at Roseau River signed Treaty 1 with the Crown of Great Britain in Right of Canada on August 3, 1871.