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Indigenous-owned · Saskatoon, Treaty 6 · Shipping across Canada
An introduction to Île-à-la-Crosse: its history, the Nations whose lands it sits on, and Indigenous community life today, with sources.
Its Cree name, Sakitawak, is translated as the place where the rivers meet, and the Dene name Kwoen signifies a place where people stay. A Métis community grew around the Hudson’s Bay Company post and the Roman Catholic mission founded in 1846, and most residents today identify as Métis. The local speech is rooted in Northern Plains Cree with borrowings from mission and Métis French, and Michif is also spoken. Sara Riel, sister of Louis Riel, worked at the convent and is buried in the community cemetery. Louis Riel’s paternal grandparents were married here. A Catholic boarding school operated in the community from 1860 into the mid-1970s. Mostly Métis children attended, along with First Nations children. Its students were later left out of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement because the school did not fit the federal definition.
Île-à-la-Crosse is on Treaty 10 territory, the lands of the Cree and Dene, and is a historic Métis community in northwest Saskatchewan.
Nearby: Beauval · Buffalo Narrows · Patuanak · English River First Nation · Canoe Lake Cree First Nation
In July 2026, Île-à-la-Crosse marked 250 years as a community. The Northern Village and the ILEX250 committee hosted a festival from July 3 to 8. It featured canoe races, Métis and Cree storytelling, a Michif marketplace, workshops and historical exhibits. A square dancing and jigging contest carried a $25,000 prize. Programming also helped reconnect families who had moved away with places tied to their history. Mayor Myra Malboeuf called it a celebration of the people, not only their history. Sponsors included Métis Nation–Saskatchewan and the Sakitawak Development Corporation. The community has also pressed for justice for boarding school survivors. Métis Nation–Saskatchewan signed a memorandum of understanding with Canada and a survivor steering committee in 2019. Premier Scott Moe apologized to survivors and families in September 2025. Proposed settlements include $27 million for experience payments and a legacy fund, plus $40.2 million for abuse claims and related costs. Federal funding of $10 million is set aside for healing, language and commemoration. An approval hearing was scheduled in Saskatoon for March 30 and 31, 2026. The Sisters of Charity still play a prominent role in community life.
More on the region: Indigenous Saskatchewan · 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 Île-à-la-Crosse and across Treaty 10 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 Île-à-la-Crosse and across Treaty 10 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 Île-à-la-Crosse 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 Île-à-la-Crosse. 10-garment minimum, up to 4 colours per design.
Screen printing for Île-à-la-CrosseCustom clothing and designs
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 Île-à-la-Crosse.
Yes. Orders ship from Saskatoon and leave within 1–3 business days. The shipping cost is shown at checkout, and orders of $90 or more ship free within Canada.
Custom screen printing is available with a 10-garment minimum, up to 4 colours per design, and every order is quoted before printing. XUSI includes design help, prints in Saskatoon and ships the garments north to the group.
Yes. Our custom screen printing starts at 10 garments, with up to 4 colours per design, and every order is quoted before printing. Design help is included, so a committee can build a design around a canoe race, a jigging contest or a local anniversary. We print in Saskatoon and ship north.
Last reviewed . Facts on this page come from the sources listed below.
XUSI began with a gap: gym clothes that carried Indigenous identity instead of leaving it at the door. That is still the centre of the line, and it ships from Saskatoon to Île-à-la-Crosse.
The tees, hoodies and hats are designed by two Indigenous brothers on Treaty 6. Start with Indigenous gym wear, or see what every word means on the Meanings page.
