Fisher River Cree Nation

What Fisher River Cree Nation does

Fisher River Cree Nation is a self-governing First Nations community located in Koostatak, Manitoba, Canada, approximately 177 km north of Winnipeg on Fisher River IR 44 (5,541.90 hectares) and IR 44A (777 hectares). Established under Treaty No. 5 (1875) and Treaty No. 5 Adhesion (1908), the community serves approximately 4,484 registered members — including about 1,512 on-reserve and 2,930 off-reserve — and is governed by an elected Chief and Council serving two-year terms, currently led by Chief David Crate in his 15th term. Following the October 28, 2020 adoption of the Fisher River Cree Nation Land Code, the Nation regained direct governance over reserve lands and resources under the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management.

The community operates an integrated portfolio of services and enterprises through 15+ departments and wholly-owned subsidiaries spanning governance, education (Charles Sinclair School with 310 K-6 students, Fisher River High School with 218 Grades 7-12 students, Fisher River Wee Care Centre, Verna J. Kirkness Institute of Higher Learning), health (Fisher River Health Centre, Rainbow House Wellness Centre, 32-bed Ochekwi-Sipi Personal Care Home), housing, justice (Ochekwiwanasowewin Restorative Justice), child welfare (Intertribal Child & Family Services), and economic development via the Fisher River Economic Development Corporation (FRED Corp.). Infrastructure assets include Canada's first Indigenous-owned utility-scale solar farm (1MW, 3,000 panels, 30-year Manitoba Hydro off-take), a $16M state-of-the-art water and sewage treatment plant, and the Fisher River Pisim Wastinohk Kistikewin solar project.

Revenue is generated through federal and provincial government transfers (Indigenous Services Canada, Manitoba Justice, Public Safety Canada), investment income from the $10.5 million Community Trust (deposited November 16, 2021 from the 1896 Alienation Specific Claim settlement, managed by FNB Trust with Fiera Capital and Beutel Goodman as investment managers, with Normandin Beaudry as investment consultant), renewable energy sales under the Manitoba Hydro agreement, and diversified commercial operations including Valu Lots grocery, Fisher River Pharmacy, Bay River Inn & Suites (12 rooms), Fisher River Outfitters, Building Supplies, Car Wash & Laundromat, and Beach Cove Campground & RV Park. A Winnipeg sub-office at 220 Cree Crescent extends service delivery to off-reserve members.

Name

Fisher River Cree Nation

Legal name

Fisher River Cree Nation

Website

https://fisherriver.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1875

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Fisher River Cree Nation is a self-governing Cree First Nation in Manitoba, Canada, serving 4,484 registered members through integrated education, health, housing, economic development, and cultural services operated via FRED Corp. and the Community Trust.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indigenous Community Services

NAICS

American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments (921150), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Aquaculture (1125)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Water Supply (4941), Sanitary Services (4950), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)

Keywords

• Indigenous community services
• First nations governance
• Treaty rights administration
• Community healthcare education
• Renewable energy solar farm

Headquarters

HQ city

Koostatak

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Federal and Provincial Government Transfers: Core operational funding from Indigenous Services Canada, Manitoba Justice, Public Safety Canada, and other federal/provincial departments for governance, education, health, housing, social services, and infrastructure.
2. Community Trust Investment Income: $10,500,000 settlement deposited November 16, 2021 from the 1896 Alienation Specific Claim. T.E. Wealth (later Normandin Beaudry) serves as investment consultant. Fiera Capital and Beutel Goodman serve as investment managers. Income supports long-term community benefit.
3. Energy Sales (Solar Farm): The 1MW Fisher River Solar Farm generates energy for sale to Manitoba Hydro under a 30-year agreement, providing recurring revenue from a renewable energy asset.
4. Retail and Commercial Operations: Revenue from community businesses including Valu Lots grocery store, Fisher River Pharmacy, Bay River Inn & Suites (12-room motel), Fisher River Outfitters (hunting packages), Fisher River Building Supplies, Fisher River Car Wash & Laundromat, and Beach Cove Campground & RV Park.
5. Land and Resource Management Fees: Revenue from land holdings management, lot sales through Bay River Developments (64 cottage lots), and resource stewardship activities under the Fisher River Cree Nation Land Code.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Fisher River Cree Nation is a self-governing First Nations community that delivers comprehensive municipal-style services to its ~4,484 registered members, including K-12 education, healthcare, personal care/nursing, housing, lands and resources management, child and family services, restorative justice, and economic development. It also operates commercial businesses (grocery store, pharmacy, motel, campground, outfitter, building supplies) under FRED Corp. and generates renewable energy from a 1MW solar farm sold to Manitoba Hydro under a 30-year agreement.

Product overview

Fisher River Cree Nation offers a comprehensive portfolio of community services, programs, and commercial businesses. The community operates radio broadcasting (Cree Nation Radio 103.5 FM), healthcare facilities (Fisher River Health Centre, Rainbow House Wellness Centre), educational institutions (Charles Sinclair School, Fisher River High School, Verna J. Kirkness Institute of Higher Learning, Fisher River Wee Care Centre), recreational facilities (Fitness Centre, Sports & Recreation), hospitality services (Bay River Inn & Suites, Beach Cove Campground & RV Park), retail operations (Valu Lots grocery, Fisher River Pharmacy, Building Supplies), and tourism offerings (Fisher River Outfitters, Pow Wow events, Treaty Days). These services are delivered through various government departments and the Fisher River Economic Development Corporation (FRED Corp.). The portfolio includes both essential community services and commercial enterprises aimed at economic development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cree Nation Radio 103.5 FM: Community radio station providing music, news, updates, weather, community events and announcements for Fisher River Cree Nation.
• Fisher River Cree Nation Community Trust
• Fisher River 1MW Solar Farm (Pisim Wastinohk Kistikewin)

Products and services

• Cree Nation Radio 103.5 FM Community radio station providing music, news, weather updates, community events, and announcements to Fisher River Cree Nation members, broadcasting regular programming 24/7.
• Fisher River Health Centre Community health center providing public health programs, home and community care, medical transport, Aboriginal Head Start, and TeleHealth services for community members.
• Ochekwi-Sipi Personal Care Home 32-bed long-term personal nursing care facility providing accommodation, meals, medical treatment, and recreational activities for residents of Fisher River and surrounding communities.
• Charles Sinclair School K-6 school with 310 students providing education integrated with cultural programming for Fisher River Cree Nation children.
• Fisher River High School Grades 7-12 high school with 218 students offering secondary education programs for Fisher River Cree Nation youth.
• Fisher River Wee Care Centre Daycare and preschool program operating since 1994, sharing facilities with the Head Start Program, providing early childhood education and care.
• Verna J. Kirkness Institute of Higher Learning Higher learning facility hosting University College of the North's Bachelor of Education, MFNERC's Educational Assistant program, and Adult Education programs for community members.
• Fisher River Fitness Centre Fitness facility with commercial-grade equipment and geothermal heating/cooling, targeting youth, elders, and family-centered sports teams.
• Bay River Inn & Suites 12-room motel with 6 Standard rooms, 4 Suites, and 2 handicap-friendly rooms plus a meeting/conference room and VLT Lounge, operated by FRED Corp.
• Fisher River Outfitters Hunting outfitter offering black bear ($3,000/six-day), white-tailed deer ($3,000/six-day), and waterfowl (from $350/one-day) hunting packages in the boreal wilderness of Fisher River.
• Valu Lots - Fisher River Grocery store providing dry and perishable goods, frozen items, gasoline, confectionary, household items, post office services, and ATM.
• Fisher River Pharmacy Full-service pharmacy located at Fisher River Business Centre providing pharmaceutical services and consultations.
• Fisher River Building Supplies Building materials supplier offering hand/power tools, home renovation materials, paint, electrical and plumbing supplies.
• Beach Cove Campground & RV Park New campground and RV park on Lake Winnipeg announced for 2026 opening, representing a tourism and hospitality venture for visitors.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMFNPS officially became Fisher River Cree Nation's police service provider. MFNPS is the oldest First Nations police service in Canada, originally established in 1974 as Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Police Department, renamed on June 1, 2018. Provides emergency response (911, 204.481.8021), detachment administration, and criminal record checks.
• Grand MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical services partnership providing pharmacy care to Fisher River Health Centre, ensuring access to medications and consultation services for community members.
• Interlake-Eastern Regional Health AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional health authority in the catchment area of Fisher River Health Services, providing networks with Diabetes Mobile Team, Crisis Responsible Mobile Team, Dialysis Unit treatment and education, and physician services.
• Northern Medical UnitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhysician services provided to Fisher River Health Centre through this partnership, ensuring access to medical care for community members.
• HTFC Planning and DesignminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPlanning and design firm contracted to assist with the three-year land use planning project started in 2016. Continuation of existing relationship (formerly Hilderman Thomas Frank Cram) with Fisher River Cree Nation.
• Dakota Tipi First NationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDakota Tipi First Nation receives service delivery from Intertribal Child & Family Services under a service delivery agreement signed June 8, 2015.
• Kinonjeoshtegon First NationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKinonjeoshtegon First Nation (Jackhead) also served by Intertribal Child & Family Services under the province-wide mandate granted November 2003.
• North West CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorth West Company operates the Valu Lots grocery store at Fisher River (transitioned from Fisher River Grocery in 2024), providing retail grocery, gasoline, and household goods to community members.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Squamish Nation: Squamish Nation in British Columbia operates an extensive portfolio of development, hospitality, and energy businesses via its economic development arm. Comparable as a First Nation with sophisticated corporate structures, though at significantly larger scale than Fisher River.
• Six Nations of the Grand River: Six Nations of the Grand River is the most populous First Nation in Canada with significant economic development, land governance, and self-determination authority. Comparable in governance model, though at much larger scale and in Ontario.

Direct peers

• Lac La Ronge Indian Band: Lac La Ronge Indian Band is a large Saskatchewan Cree First Nation operating multiple businesses, forestry operations, and community services. Comparable Cree Nation structure with diversified economic development on reserve land.
• Opaskwayak Cree Nation: Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) is a Manitoba Cree First Nation with a diversified economic development corporation operating in forestry, tourism, retail, and energy. Comparable as a Cree community operating a similar band government structure with FRED-style economic development vehicles.
• Membertou First Nation: Membertou First Nation in Nova Scotia is widely regarded as a leader in Indigenous economic development, operating a hotel, trade centre, and multiple businesses. Comparable as a First Nations band government with diversified commercial operations and tourism assets.
• Peguis First Nation: Peguis First Nation is one of the largest First Nations in Manitoba with a mature economic development corporation (PEDC) operating retail, hospitality, gaming, and real estate assets under self-governance. Highly comparable given scale and Manitoba context.
• Cowessess First Nation: Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan has been an Indigenous leader in renewable energy and economic development, including green energy projects. Comparable for renewable energy leadership and Cree/Indigenous governance structure on the Prairies.
• Whitecap Dakota First Nation: Whitecap Dakota First Nation in Saskatchewan operates Dakota Dunes Resort and other commercial businesses under self-governance. Comparable as a Prairie First Nation with resort/tourism and diversified economic development.
• Long Plain First Nation: Long Plain First Nation operates under Treaty 1 with an active Land Code and economic development corporation in Manitoba. Comparable governance structure (Land Code adoption, elected Chief/Council, FRED-style development entity).
• Norway House Cree Nation: Norway House Cree Nation is the ancestral Norway House Band from which Fisher River Cree Nation descends (Treaty 5, 1875). Operates extensive community services, economic development (NHCN Development Corporation), and forestry/fisheries enterprises in northern Manitoba.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/FisherRiver1875
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvj28Tzhwn7Spn-h1qjlCTQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/fisherrivercreenation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fisher-river-cree-nation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fisher River Cree Nation