Wemindji

Wemindji is a fairly new community comprising Cree families originally living at the trading post in cree named "Paakumshumwashtikw", in French Vieux-Comptoir River, known as Vieux-Comptoir or its English equivalent "Old Factory". This trading post was founded in the 17th century and was alternately under British or French control. In 1959 the community was relocated about 45 km north to its present location (where Wemindji is now).

Wemindji (Cree for "red ochre mountain") gets its name from the red pigment found in the hills surrounding it. It has also been known in French as "Nouveau-Comptoir".

The Cree Nation of Wemindji is one of the nine communities under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement signed on 1975 by the Cree, Inuit, Quebec government and federal government. The Cree went on an injunction to make an agreement on the project of Hydro development because the Quebec government and hydro development failed to recognize the Cree's rights to their land.

In 1975, the [James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement] between the Crown and the indigenous people in Canada was the first leading agreement since the numbered treaties of the 19th and early 20th centuries. From 1973 to 1975, this agreement was negotiated and on November 11, 1975, it was signed. As specified in the agreement, the Aboriginal people traded their rights and territorial interests for different rights and benefits. Special membership was insisted by the Aboriginal people to allow them to take charge in their local and regional government, The creation of their own health and school boards, measures for economic and community development, special regimes for police and justice and environmental protection.

The agreement allowed them to gain a technical definition of the La Grande Project which included limitations on water levels and a remedial works corporation for social, environmental damages, and relocation of the first dam. In the agreement, the land was divided into three categories. The first category of land is controlled mainly by the residents in and around the aboriginal communities. The second category known as crown land is used as hunting, fishing, and trapping territories shared between the Cree and Inuit. Lastly, the third category of land is used for traditional hunting and harvesting which was designated exclusively for Aboriginal people to use.[2]

Cree have always identified themselves as iIyiyuuch which means "the people". The Cree have continued practising their traditions way of hunting, trapping and fishing. Parts of Wemindji's populations still lives off the land year round.[3]

There are mainly two languages in Wemindji, which are Cree and English.[4]

The Cree School Board is a regional entity that presents all 9 cree communities. In Wemindji, Cree School Board operates the Maquatua Eeyou School (ᐧᒫᑯᐧᑖᐤ ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᑑᑭᒥᒄ)/ Joy Ottereyes Rainbow Memorial School. The Maquatua Eeyou School is a high school, and Joy Ottereyes Rainbow Memorial School is an elementary school. the high school and elementary school have an importance of Cree language. English is the second language within both of these institutions.[5]

The Cree Board of Health operates the clinic within the Cree Nation of Wemindji. The clinic provides services a variety of programs such as the awash (child) program, the uschinisuu (youth) program, chishayiuu (elder) program, Multi Service Day Centre (MSDC), Physiotherapy, Psycho-education, Nutritionist, Youth protection, Dental Services, Administration.[6]

Wemindji is one of the nine Cree First Nations Communities from The Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee. The Cree Nation live on the land of Eeyou Istchee, which means people's land. The people call themselves “Eeyou”. Along with their eleven Cree Communities, there are over three hundred traditional family hunting and trapping grounds which they call “Traplines”. Each of the Cree First Nations Communities has their own different and individual history. Every community through their local government is administered independently, while Cree Nation issues are discussed by the elected chiefs on the board of directors of the Grand Council of Cree and the Council of the Cree Nation Government. [7]

• James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement Wiki
• Cree School Board
• Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay
• Cree Nation of Wemindji Cree Nation of Wemindji website
• Indigenous Northern Affairs Canada

• Hudson's Bay Company
• Grand Council of the Crees