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BEARSPAW FIRST NATION

Signatory to Treaty 7, 1877

Bearspaw First Nation proud, independent, progressive Nation of the Îyârhe Nakoda nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Western Canada.​

OUR COMMUNITY

4 Bearspaw Nation Tipis Bearspaw has placed on Fee simple lands that we have acquired along the Trans Canada Highway next to Calaway Park, and south of the Springbank Airport.
4 Bearspaw Nation Tipis Bearspaw has placed on Fee simple lands that we have acquired along the Trans Canada Highway next to Calaway Park, and south of the Springbank Airport.
2 Bearspaw Nation Tipis Bearspaw has placed on Fee simple lands that we have acquired along the Trans Canada Highway next to Calaway Park, and south of the Springbank Airport.
2 Bearspaw Nation Tipis Bearspaw has placed on Fee simple lands that we have acquired along the Trans Canada Highway next to Calaway Park, and south of the Springbank Airport.
2 Bearspaw Nation Tipis Bearspaw has placed on Fee simple lands that we have acquired along the Trans Canada Highway next to Calaway Park, and south of the Springbank Airport.
2 Bearspaw Nation Tipis Bearspaw has placed on Fee simple lands that we have acquired along the Trans Canada Highway next to Calaway Park, and south of the Springbank Airport.
2 Bearspaw Nation Tipis Bearspaw has placed on Fee simple lands that we have acquired along the Trans Canada Highway next to Calaway Park, and south of the Springbank Airport.
2 Bearspaw Nation Tipis Bearspaw has placed on Fee simple lands that we have acquired along the Trans Canada Highway next to Calaway Park, and south of the Springbank Airport.
Bearspaw First Nation Chief Dixon and Councillor Hunter posing for poster in our Traditional lands of Kananaskis after doing a Pipe ceremony blessing for all the attendees of the G7 Summit. Also pictured are representatives of the other 2 Stoney Nakoda Nations and other First Nations.
Bearspaw First Nation Chief Dixon and Councillor Hunter posing for poster in our Traditional lands of Kananaskis after doing a Pipe ceremony blessing for all the attendees of the G7 Summit. Also pictured are representatives of the other 2 Stoney Nakoda Nations and other First Nations.
Legal counsel from Cochrane Sinclair speak to Eden Valley members about the Treaty 7 Class Action Lawsuit re annuity payments
Legal counsel from Cochrane Sinclair speak to Eden Valley members about the Treaty 7 Class Action Lawsuit re annuity payments
BFN partners with Indigena Drilling
BFN partners with Indigena Drilling
CANDO Conference Calgary 2024 - Bearspaw FN Winner of the 2024 National CANDO Award for Indigenous Community Developer of the Year. Councillor Dacster Amos and CEO Rob Shotclose featured receiving the award.
CANDO Conference Calgary 2024 - Bearspaw FN Winner of the 2024 National CANDO Award for Indigenous Community Developer of the Year. Councillor Dacster Amos and CEO Rob Shotclose featured receiving the award.
CANDO Conference Calgary 2024
CANDO Conference Calgary 2024
CANDO Conference Calgary 2024
CANDO Conference Calgary 2024
Travis Jimmy John speaks to visiting students before a powwow starts at Chief Jacob Bearspaw School in Eden Valley on June 6. | credit to Western Wheel
Travis Jimmy John speaks to visiting students before a powwow starts at Chief Jacob Bearspaw School in Eden Valley on June 6. | credit to Western Wheel
Eva Lefthand Bearspaw dances a jingle dance during a powwow at Chief Jacob Bearspaw School in Eden Valley on June 6. | credit to Western Wheel
Eva Lefthand Bearspaw dances a jingle dance during a powwow at Chief Jacob Bearspaw School in Eden Valley on June 6. | credit to Western Wheel
Massiah Rider, from Eden Valley, dances at a powwow at Chief Jacob Bearspaw School in Eden Valley on June 6. | credit to Western Wheel
Massiah Rider, from Eden Valley, dances at a powwow at Chief Jacob Bearspaw School in Eden Valley on June 6. | credit to Western Wheel
Sokova Simeon, from Mini Thni (Morley), dances a fancy shawl dance during a powwow at Chief Jacob Bearspaw School in Eden Valley on June 6. | credit to Western Wheel
Sokova Simeon, from Mini Thni (Morley), dances a fancy shawl dance during a powwow at Chief Jacob Bearspaw School in Eden Valley on June 6. | credit to Western Wheel
Lane Bearspaw does a grass dance during a powwow at Chief Jacob Bearspaw School in Eden Valley on June 6. | credit to Western Wheel
Lane Bearspaw does a grass dance during a powwow at Chief Jacob Bearspaw School in Eden Valley on June 6. | credit to Western Wheel
Zack Bearspaw does a grass dance during a powwow at Chief Jacob Bearspaw School in Eden Valley on June 6. | credit to Western Wheel
Zack Bearspaw does a grass dance during a powwow at Chief Jacob Bearspaw School in Eden Valley on June 6. | credit to Western Wheel
Chief Darcy Dixon
Chief Darcy Dixon
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Austin Kneller (TC Energy), Councillor Rod Hunter, Councillor Dacster Amos, Councillor Pierre Lefthand, Chief Darcy Dixon, Ted Bauer (TC Energy) and Bearspaw CEO Rob Shotclose. TC Energy and BFN signed a relationship agreement May 2023 which will benefit members in both Morley and Eden Valley
Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources (“BEAHR”) Program in Mînî Thnî (Morley)
Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources (“BEAHR”) Program in Mînî Thnî (Morley)
Interior Heavy Equipment (“IHE”) program in Mînî Thnî (Morley)
Interior Heavy Equipment (“IHE”) program in Mînî Thnî (Morley)
Interior Heavy Equipment (“IHE”) program in Mînî Thnî (Morley)
Interior Heavy Equipment (“IHE”) program in Mînî Thnî (Morley)

Bearspaw First Nation members continue to practice their traditional ceremonies, culture, values, language and lifestyle.

The Iyarhe Nakoda (“People of the Mountains”) are comprised of the independent Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney Nations.  Iyarhe Nakoda are part of the Sioux-Assiniboine (Stoney) language continuum and speak the Nakoda dialect.  The Three Nations come together from time to time as a Tribal Council on matters of mutual interest and concern.

Current news & Events

‘I’m truly grateful:’ Bearspaw First Nation education trust fuelling students’ post-secondary pursuits

December 29, 2025 No Comments

“I don’t have anyone to support me, but the fact that my band supports me with scholarships, that is just so amazing and I’m truly grateful.” Writes Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for Rocky Mountain Outlook. Click the following link to read the full article on their website: https://www.rmoutlook.com/stoney-nakoda/im-truly-grateful-bearspaw-first-nation-education-trust-fuelling-students-post-secondary-pursuits-11574680

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“New episode in Elders’ Wisdom Series features Elder Rod Hunter on the UCalgary Honour Song”

November 19, 2025 No Comments

The Elders’ Wisdom Series, presented by the Office of Indigenous Engagement at the University of Calgary, is a series of oral stories from Elders who share valuable cultural wisdom.  The most recent edition to the collection has Elder Rod Hunter from Stoney Nakoda Bearspaw First Nation tell the origins of UCalgary’s Honour Song, which he gifted the university in 2018. writes Samantha Lafleur for the University of Calgary. Click the following link to read the full post on their website: https://ucalgary.ca/news/new-episode-elders-wisdom-series-features-elder-rod-hunter-ucalgary-honour-song

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Job Opportunities

VIEW ALL JOB OPPORTUNITIES
EDEN VALLEY JOB OPPORTUNITIES
MINI THNI JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Programs & services

The Iyarhe Nakoda (“People of the Mountains” are comprised of the independent Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney Nations.  Iyarhe Nakoda are part of the Sioux-Assiniboine (Stoney) language continuum and speak the Nakoda dialect.  The Three Nations come together from time to time as a Tribal Council on matters of mutual interest and concern.

Housing

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Health

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Education

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GOVERNANCE

Bearspaw First Nation is an independent, sovereign First Nation.

Membership

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Self Determination/ Sovereignty

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Election Law

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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Bearspaw First Nation’s economic development strategy provides for a clear directive to achieve our objectives and create a strong economy for our members present and future.

 

In establishing a number of successful businesses, we have created pathways forward for transformational opportunities for the Bearspaw First Nation and its members.  We are confident we can break a 150-year cycle of multi-generational poverty.  We will continue on our economic success to date and at the same time celebrate our cultural values as the Iyarhe Nakoda.

2013 Development of Bearspaw Service Center
Bearspaw Kananaskis Travel Centre Inception 2019
Stoney Nakoda Resort
Clearwave Broadband Networks
Stoney Nakoda Telecom
Projects Under Development

TRUSTS

The Ozîja Thiha Legacy Trust was established for our present & future generations and the financial security of the Bearspaw First Nation and its membership. The Ozîja Thiha Education Trust was established to assist and encourage in the educational development of Bearspaw members with a view for them to complete their education at the trades, college and university levels and obtain a profession, trade or skill that will benefit themselves and in turn the Bearspaw Nation as a whole.   

Ozija Thiha Education Trust
Ozija Thiha Legacy Trust

A message from
Chief Darcy Dixon

Aba Wathtech.

Welcome to the Bearspaw First Nation, we are an independent, self-governing, sovereign First Nation that is a direct signatory to Treaty no. 7 of 1877 and a proud member of the Iyarhe Nakoda.

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