The Salt River First Nation app is now availablenow availablefree to downloadon iPhone and Androidin your pocket

Salt River First Nation is made up of descendants of the distinct Chipewyan group known as the Dedharesche. In the Nation's own words, "We are a mix of Cree and Chipewyan people." Their ancestors used and lived on the land in the Slave River area, and signed Treaty 8 at Smith's Landing on July 17, 1899. Canada later treated the Dedharesche and the Thebatthie as one band. The two separated in 1988, and the Thebatthie became Smith's Landing First Nation.

In 2002, the Nation signed a treaty land settlement. It covers about 401 km² of land parcels in and around Fort Smith, plus about 13 km² of reserve land at four sites in Wood Buffalo National Park. The reserve is just outside the Town of Fort Smith, close to the Alberta border.

Community life is rooted in healing and connection to the land. The Nation turned the former Fort Smith jail into a home base for wellness circles, Elders' gatherings and land-based teachings. Its administration building is shaped like the oxbow river form found on the Nation's original lands.

The Nation is also investing in its future:

• A multipurpose facility with a 400-seat community hall and space it can lease out
• Petro-Canada and Tim Hortons businesses owned by the Nation
• A new housing subdivision with five modular homes so far and long-term plans for more than 200