Wemindji · Eeyou Istchee
ᐐᒥᓂᒌ
Our Community
Wemindji is a Cree community on the east coast of James Bay, at the mouth of the Maquatua River in Quebec. It is the seat of the Cree Nation of Wemindji, and the home of many of the businesses Tawich operates.
Red ochre mountain
Wemindji is Cree for "red ochre mountain" — the name comes from the red pigment found in the hills surrounding the community. It has also been known in French as Nouveau-Comptoir.
The community is a fairly new one, formed by Cree families who originally lived at the trading post known in Cree as Paakumshumwashtikw, and in English as Old Factory. The post was founded in the 17th century and was alternately under British and French control. In 1959 the community was relocated about 45 kilometres north to its present site at the mouth of the Maquatua River.
Wemindji is reached by air through Wemindji Airport and, since 1995, by a gravel road linking it to the Billy Diamond Highway.
Iiyiyuuch — the people
The Cree have always identified themselves as Iiyiyuuch, meaning "the people". Traditional ways of hunting, trapping and fishing continue, and part of Wemindji's population still lives off the land year round.
Wemindji is one of the Cree First Nations communities of Eeyou Istchee — the people's land. Across the territory there are more than 300 traditional family hunting and trapping grounds, known as traplines. Each community has its own history and is administered independently through its local government, while Cree Nation matters are taken up by the elected chiefs of the Grand Council of the Crees and the Cree Nation Government.
Cree and English are the two main languages spoken in Wemindji. The Cree School Board operates Maquatua Eeyou School and Joy Ottereyes Rainbow Memorial School, both of which place an emphasis on teaching the Cree language, with English as the second language.
A small community, well served
Wemindji covers about 3,266 hectares and supports a full range of community services. The Cree Board of Health operates the local clinic, with programs for children, youth and Elders alongside physiotherapy, nutrition, dental and psycho-education services.
- Elementary & high school
- Health clinic
- Wellness department
- Two daycares
- After-school program (C.O.O.L.)
- Mini mall & community store
- Motels & bed and breakfast
- Sports facilities
- Traditional centres
- Police & fire stations
Gallery
The land through the seasons
