by Marvin Bjornstad
The history of the Heinsburg - Frog Lake is much longer than other areas of Alberta. Many native people had used the lakes of the Frog Lake area as part of their food supply year round for many years. The Hudson Bay Company had established both Fort George in 1799 and Paint Creek House in hopes of trading with these original people and being able to use the Saskatchewan River system as their main supply line. This river system slowly started replacing the earlier Churchhill River system that moved into the north.
Onion Lake was developing before the Riel Rebellion started. The survey had not yet started and discussions on Treaties were taking place across the west, often to the ongoing confusion of the original inhabitants.
