Today is the final day of June, which is the final day of Indigenous History Month.
Wrapping it up with more Ermineskin History.
Chief Maurice Wolfe – Leader
Chief Maurice Wolfe of the Ermineskin Cree Nation is widely respected for his deep and lasting contributions to his Nation, spanning culture, education, politics, and the arts.
Here are some truly honourable highlights:
🌾 Community & Cultural Leadership
Long-time Chief & Councillor: He served multiple decades in leadership roles, guiding his Nation with dedication and integrity.
🌟Chief Maurice Wolfe was the Last Hereditary Chief and the First Elected Chief of the Ermineskin Cree Nation.
Cultural Advocate: Wolfe has actively promoted First Nations culture, traditional song, and dance in pow-wow circles — even performing as a lead singer with the Pigeon Lake Singers, a pow-wow recording group.
🎓 Education & Institution Building
In the early 1970s, he was instrumental in founding Maskwacis Cultural College, recognized by both Alberta and the federal government, which provides post-secondary education rooted in Indigenous culture.
Wolfe also backed the introduction of Indigenous-focused courses at Camrose Lutheran College (now part of the University of Alberta), paving the way for Indigenous studies in mainstream academia.
🤝 Treaty Advocacy & Political Work
He played a key role in regional Treaty celebrations during the 1970s, forging relationships of mutual respect between First Nations and settler communities — relationships that still benefit both communities today.
His political advocacy extended into his later years, mentoring Maskwacis youth and championing Indigenous cultural and educational initiatives.
🎥 Arts & Media
In 1983, Wolfe served as both an actor and associate producer on “Running Brave,” a film about Olympic athlete Billy Mills — a unique intersection of Indigenous storytelling and cinema.
🌟 Chief Maurice Wolfe and his son, Carmen Wolfe, proudly became the first motion picture film actors from Ermineskin Cree Nation through their involvement in the film.
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Why this matters:
Wolfe’s multi-generational leadership has created lasting legacies:
Educational infrastructure that empowers Indigenous youth.
Cultural preservation, ensuring that pow-wow traditions are honored and shared.
Political alliance-building, fostering dialogue between Indigenous Nations and wider Canadian society.
Each of these accomplishments demonstrates both honor and service — reflecting the highest ideals of leadership in Indigenous governance.
