Cowessess First Nation is participating in the Rebuilding First Nations Governance project.
Cowessess First Nation is located in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Their name comes from Chief Cowessess (Ka-wezauce, “Little Boy”), leader of a mixed band of Plains Cree, Saulteaux and Metis. They were known as plains bison hunters ranging from Leech Lake (Saskatchewan) as far southwest as the Cypress Hills and the Milk River basin in Montana. Chief Cowessess adhered to Treaty 4 on September 15, 1874. His followers remained nomadic until 1878–79, when they began farming near Maple Creek in the Cypress Hills. In 1880 a reserve was surveyed for them at Crooked Lake. Cowessess First Nation people are Saulteaux, with a population of 4300 on and off reserve.