Big River, Saskatchewan
Big River is a town located on the southern end of Cowan Lake in north central Saskatchewan, Canada. It is just north of Saskatchewan's extensive grain belt on Highway 55 (part of the inter-provincial Northern Woods and Water Route) and about west of Prince Albert National Park. Delaronde Lake is accessed east of the town. Big River is approximately from Prince Albert. Except for some land cleared for farming and a few natural meadows, the town is surrounded by the northern boreal forest. History. Big River began as a company town created as a base  for the lumber industry at the turn of the 20th century. Commercial fishing also played a major role in the town in the early years. In 1910 a post office was opened in Big River. It incorporated in 1921. Demographics. In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Big River had a population of living in of its total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of . With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2021. Notable people. Métis film producer and director Wil Campbell was born here. He helped establish the  first video program for Aboriginal people with Alberta Native Communications in 1968 and founded the Dreamspeakers Festival Society and the National Film Board's Native Studio. Former 18th overall draft pick of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, forward Barry Pederson was born here, as well as former NHL defenseman Jim Neilson. Leon McGilvery. Big River Resident that taught millions of people how to dance in a viral video. Education. There are two schools in the community. Big River Public High School (Grade 7 to 12) & TD Michel Public School (Pre-K to Grade 6). They are part of the Saskatchewan  Rivers School Division #119 out of Prince Albert.