Papaschase First Nation
Reclaiming Our Heritage
The band is regrouping after being scattered for so many years since the illegal surrender of their reserve and forced transfer to other bands. This work has begun in earnest with the first election in 1999 of Chief and council to provide representation on behalf of all descendants. Since then the Chief and council have filed a civil lawsuit against the Federal Government of Canada on behalf of all descendants over the alleged illegal surrender of reserve land that was located in the present boundaries of south Edmonton.
Welcome to the History of the Papaschase First Nation
The Papaschase Band, led by Chief Papaschase and his brothers, settled near Edmonton in the late 1850s after migrating from Lesser Slave Lake. In 1877, they signed an adhesion to Treaty 6, which promised land and support. However, government delays and settler opposition, led by Frank Oliver, resulted in only 40 square miles of reserve land being surveyed instead of the promised 49.9. Starvation and broken promises forced many members to accept Métis scrip, losing their treaty rights and reserve. By 1887, most were pressured to join the Enoch Band, while others dispersed to places like Elinor Lake and Lac La Biche. The government's unauthorized sale of lands and failure to uphold treaty obligations inflicted lasting cultural and social harm on Papaschase descendants, whose resilience continues to honor their heritage.
Meet our Official Chief and Council
Chief Calvin Bruneau
Shiela Desjarlais - Councillor
Shiela Desjarlais - Councillor
Chief Bruneau BIO
Shiela Desjarlais - Councillor
Shiela Desjarlais - Councillor
Shiela Desjarlais - Councillor
Shiela Desjarlais BIO
Councilor Shiela Desjarlais was born in Edmonton, but grew up in various communities in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. Her heart has always belonged to Edmonton, and now she knows why.
Papaschase First Nation is where she is from and her ties have always been to this land. Shiela has a large family wit
Shiela Desjarlais BIO
Councilor Shiela Desjarlais was born in Edmonton, but grew up in various communities in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. Her heart has always belonged to Edmonton, and now she knows why.
Papaschase First Nation is where she is from and her ties have always been to this land. Shiela has a large family with a loving fiancée and a blended family with 6 beautiful children. Shiela was elected into council on October 28, 2017 and is now serving her 3rd term, but has attended Papaschase Meetings all her life since the 1990s. She has a diploma in Business Administration Management and prior financial management experience. Currently she hold portfolios in Membership, Governance, Employment and Training, Social Development, Budget and Finance, Youth, and Administration. Shiela is a Direct Lineal Descendant through her maternal line; and it is her ancestral ties that are a driving force to reconciling the members of Papaschase First Nation to their inherent rights.
Daniel Deschamps - Councillor
Daniel Deschamps - Councillor
Daniel Deschamps - Councillor
Daniel Deschamps BIO
Shawn Aulotte- Councillor
Daniel Deschamps - Councillor
Daniel Deschamps - Councillor
Shawn Aulotte-Gladue BIO
Papaschase First Nation Investments
Our successful investments include Ote Nikan Papaschase Petro-Canada gas station, and Papaschase Security Services.