Duck Lake is a charming town nestled in the boreal forest of central Saskatchewan, Canada. Located 88 km north of Saskatoon and 44 km south of Prince Albert on highway 11, Duck Lake is part of the rural municipality of Duck Lake. The town is situated immediately south of the Nisbet Provincial Forest, offering a serene and picturesque setting.
The town is home to the Cree First Nations people, with the band government of the Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation located here. Duck Lake also holds a significant place in the history of the Canadian Indian residential school system.
Duck Lake, or Lac-aux-Canards in French, was one of the five Southbranch Settlements established by French-speaking Métis from Manitoba in the 1860s and 1870s. A Roman Catholic Mission was founded in Duck Lake in 1874 by Father André O.M.I. By 1888, the village had a school, a post office (known as Stobart), a flour mill (gristmill), and a trading post.
From 1882 to 1905, Duck Lake was part of the District of Saskatchewan, one of several districts of the Northwest Territories. In 1885, Duck Lake was the site of the Battle of Duck Lake, a conflict between Métis warriors and the Government of Canada, marking the start of the North-West Rebellion.
The town is also home to the historic Carpenter Gothic style All Saints Anglican Church, built in 1896. This municipal heritage site's cemetery contains the graves of some of those who fought in the Battle of Duck Lake, as well as other community pioneers. The 1973 western Alien Thunder was partially filmed in Duck Lake, adding to its historical significance.
Duck Lake was home to one of the last operating schools in the Canadian Indian residential school system, the St. Michael's Indian Residential School (Duck Lake Indian Residential School), which closed in 1996. The school's closure marked the end of a painful era, with the disruption in the transmission of Cree language, culture, family systems, and policy causing immense trauma and suffering. Today, the generations of children and youth continue to seek justice by reclaiming their identity, culture, and language while supporting the survivors.
According to the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Duck Lake had a population of 579 living in 202 of its 232 total private dwellings. This represented a change of 1.8 per cent from its 2016 population of 569. With a land area of 2.38 km2, Duck Lake had a population density of 243.3/km2 in 2021.
Duck Lake, Saskatchewan, is a town rich in history and natural beauty. Whether you're a history enthusiast, nature lover, or someone seeking a peaceful retreat, Duck Lake offers a unique blend of historical significance and natural charm.
