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Indigenous-owned · Saskatoon, Treaty 6 · Shipping across Canada
An introduction to Hay River: its history, the Nations whose lands it sits on, and Indigenous community life today, with sources.
Its South Slavey name is Xátł’odehchee. In 2021, just under half of residents identified as Indigenous. South Slavey, Chipewyan, Michif and English are all spoken here. Kátł’odeeche First Nation’s reserve lies on the opposite bank of the river. The Hay River area has been used by First Nations for thousands of years. Kátł’odeeche First Nation says its people have occupied the lands around Hay River and Buffalo Lake for at least 1,800 years. In 1892, Chief Shatla of the Slavey Dene founded a permanent settlement on the northeast bank of the river. Treaty 8, first signed in 1899, covers this part of the Northwest Territories. It is the largest treaty by area in Canadian history. Winter cat trains once followed traditional Dene routes through the region. In 1963, a major flood hit Vale Island and the Dene Village. In 1974, Chief Daniel Sonfrere negotiated the first reserve in the Northwest Territories.
Hay River sits in Treaty 8 territory, first signed in 1899, on the homeland of the South Slavey Dene. Kátł’odeeche First Nation, West Point First Nation and Métis citizens of the Northwest Territory Métis Nation all call the area home.
Nearby: Kátł'odeeche First Nation (Hay River Reserve) · Enterprise · Fort Providence · Fort Resolution · Alexandra Falls · Great Slave Lake
Kátł'odeeche First Nation is a South Slavey Dene community on the east bank of the Hay River. Its reserve covers about 134 square kilometres. The Nation runs departments for education, health and wellness, housing, lands, daycare and recreation. It is developing its own land code under the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management. Visitors can find interpretive displays, an artisan centre, storytelling and drum dances there. Each March, the Nation hosts the K'amba Carnival on the river and the reserve. It features talent shows, Dene games and cultural competitions. The reserve also hosts an annual fiddling and jigging talent show, billed as the biggest North of 60. West Point First Nation is headquartered in town and belongs to the Dehcho First Nations. The Northwest Territory Métis Nation represents Métis citizens in Hay River, Fort Smith and Fort Resolution. Its programs include education, housing, language and hide tanning workshops. Hay River marks National Indigenous Peoples Day each June 21 with a fish fry, live music and cultural events. The Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre hosts a free community Christmas dinner.
More on the region: Indigenous Northwest Territories · all of Canada.
XUSI is an Indigenous-owned business from Saskatoon, started in 2020 by two brothers from northern Saskatchewan. Along with our clothing, we bring Indigenous youth workshops and custom screen printing to Hay River and across Treaty 8 territory.
Strong Roots Strong Future is our interactive workshop for Indigenous youth, led by the two brothers who founded XUSI. We travel to schools, First Nations and Indigenous communities, youth organizations and funding programs in Hay River and across Treaty 8 territory. Youth ages 10 and up work through identity and culture, financial literacy, fitness, entrepreneurship and business skills, career readiness and hands-on screen printing.
Custom t-shirts, hoodies and crewnecks for Hay River schools, sports teams, businesses, events and First Nations and Indigenous organizations. Send us an idea, get free design help and a full quote before anything is printed. We print in Saskatoon and ship to Hay River. 10-garment minimum, up to 4 colours per design.
Heavyweight cotton tees, hoodies, crewnecks and A-frame hats with Cree words and the stories behind them. Fitness is part of how XUSI started, so our pieces are built for the gym and the street, and we ship them to Hay River.
Orders of $90 or more ship free to Hay River and anywhere in Canada. Orders under $90 show the shipping cost at checkout. Every order leaves our Saskatoon shop within 1 to 3 business days.
Yes. Custom screen printing starts at 10 garments, with up to 4 colours per design. Every order gets a full quote before anything is printed, and design help is included. We print in Saskatoon and ship the finished order to Hay River.
Yes, as long as the order is 10 garments or more. Teams heading to the Polar Pond Hockey tournament or groups at the K'amba Carnival could choose tees or hoodies with up to 4 colours. We help with the design, print in Saskatoon, and ship to Hay River.
No. We do not have a booth, stockist or store in Hay River or anywhere in the Northwest Territories. Our only retail presence outside our online shop is at Wanuskewin near Saskatoon. Hay River customers order online, and every package ships from Saskatoon.
Last reviewed . Facts on this page come from the sources listed below.
Every XUSI design carries a word and a reason. sôhkahpinêw, on the Wolf tee, is about holding on. sâskwatôn is the Cree name the city of Saskatoon was named after. Both ship to Hay River like everything else in the line.
The brand is Indigenous-owned, built by two brothers who write the meanings themselves. Read them on the Meanings page, or browse Cree language clothing.
