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Indigenous-owned · Saskatoon, Treaty 6 · Shipping across Canada
An introduction to Thompson: its history, the Nations whose lands it sits on, and Indigenous community life today, with sources.
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, based at Nelson House about 80 km to the west, completed the conversion of its Mystery Lake lands inside city limits into an urban reserve in 2016. The Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre offers programs and advocacy for Indigenous residents. Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, whose urban reserve lies inside Thompson, counts Treaty Five among its key agreements. Treaty commissioners met Cree, Swampy Cree, Ojibwe and Oji-Cree leaders around Lake Winnipeg in 1875 and 1876. The treaty area covered roughly 258,999 square kilometres. Treaty 5 set aside 160 acres per family and promised annual payments. Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation traces its presence at the meeting of the Burntwood, Footprint and Rat rivers back thousands of years, across a traditional territory of roughly 23,000 square kilometres. The Nation signed its adhesion to Treaty 5 on July 30, 1908, under Chief Pierre Moose, creating Indian Reserve 170 at Nelson House. Manitoba Hydro built the Kelsey Generating Station between 1957 and 1960 without consulting the Nation, and the Churchill River Diversion flooded Nisichawayasihk land between 1970 and 1976. The Northern Flood Agreement followed in December 1977, and an implementation agreement was reached in March 1996. Road access to Nelson House arrived only in 1974.
Thompson is on Treaty 5 territory, the traditional lands of the Cree, and the homeland of the Métis. It is a hub for many northern Manitoba First Nations.
Nearby: Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (Nelson House) · Norway House Cree Nation · Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake) · Thicket Portage · Wabowden
Regional First Nations organizations keep a presence in Thompson. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, incorporated in 1981, represents 26 First Nations in Northern Manitoba. Its member Nations signed Treaties 4, 5, 6 and 10. MKO’s head office is at Nelson House, and it also keeps an office on Selkirk Avenue in Thompson. Its mission is to defend the rights and interests of First Nations people in its jurisdiction. It also works to secure a quality of life its member Nations find acceptable. Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation describes itself as the first Manitoba First Nation to adopt its own constitution, called Othasowewin. It runs the Wuskwatim Generating Station as an economic development project with community benefits. Its Nîhithowîtan program invites people to learn Cree online, anywhere and anytime. The Nisichawayasi Nehetho Culture and Education Authority oversees schooling. The Nation has scheduled an Orange Shirt Day Walk for Truth and Reconciliation on September 29, 2026. In town, the Heritage North Museum introduces visitors to the Indigenous peoples of Northern Manitoba. Its boreal forest diorama includes a caribou hide tipi.
More on the region: Indigenous Manitoba · 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 Thompson and across Treaty 5 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 Thompson and across Treaty 5 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 Thompson 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 Thompson. 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 Thompson.
The minimum is 10 garments. Designs can use up to 4 colours, help with the artwork is included, and every order is quoted before printing.
Orders go out within 1–3 business days. Shipping is calculated at checkout, and orders of $90 or more ship free within Canada.
Last reviewed . Facts on this page come from the sources listed below.
Alongside its own line, XUSI screen prints custom apparel for schools, teams, businesses, Nations and events in Thompson. Ten garments minimum, up to four colours, design help included, and a full quote before anything runs.
The clothing side is Indigenous-designed and Indigenous-owned, out of Saskatoon on Treaty 6. See custom screen printing, or shop the XUSI line.
