Location and Description of the Cree Communities of Northern Quebec
Chisasibi
In Cree: ᒋᓵᓰᐲ Chisaasiipii
Meaning: the big river
Population: 3731
Our Local Office and Staff, in Chisasibi:
P.O. Box 300
Chisasibi (Québec) J0M 1E0
T. 819-855-2067 F. 819-855-2403
Staff of the Board
This Cree community is situated on the south bank of the La Grande River. Its name means “the big river.” Chisasibi is west of the main structures of the La Grande hydroelectric complex and is the last Cree community accessible by road. Formerly, the community of Chisabi was located on Fort George Island, the site of a major old fur trading post. Today, Fort George Island is an important centre for gatherings and cultural celebrations.
53.773609,-78.893467
Eastmain
In Cree: 
Population: 618
Our Local Office and Staff, in Eastmain:
158, Opinaca Road, P.O. Box 250
Eastmain (Québec) J0M 1W0
T. 819-977-2165 #241 F. 819-977-2168
Staff of the Board
Eastmain began its existence as “East Main House,” the only permanent fur trading post on the east coast of James Bay for most of the 18th century. The Cree name of the village, Wapanoutauw, designates the lands east of James Bay. The community is on the south bank of the Eastmain River.
52.213868,-78.281499
Location and Description of the Cree Communities of Northern Quebec
Mistissini
In Cree: 
Meaning: big rock
Population: 3373
Website of this community: www.mistissini.ca
Our Local Office and Staff, in Mistissini:
187 Main Street, P.O. Box 1223
Mistissini (Québec) G0W 1C0
T. 418-923-3334 F. 418-923-3330
Staff of the Board
A well-known gathering place and the site of several trading posts over the years, Mistissini is today one of the largest Cree villages in the area, located on the southwest shores Québec’s largest natural lake, Lake Mistissini. The name “big rock” comes from an enormous boulder that serves as a landmark near the mouth of the Rupert River.
50.446339,-73.807591
Nemaska
In Cree: 
nemiskaa
Meaning: where fish are abundant
Population: 669
Web site of this community: www.nemaska.com
Our Local Office and Staff, in Nemaska:
12 Lakeshore Road, P.O. Box 59
Nemaska (Québec) J0Y 3B0
T. 819-673-2030 #22 F. 819-819-673-2033
Staff of the Board
On the western shores of magnificent Lake Champion, you’ll find one of the smallest Cree communities in the area. Nemaska is right in the middle of Eeyou Istchee territory and as such it is often considered the heart of the Cree Nation. Formerly known as Nemiscau, a very old name referring to Lake Nemiscau, Nemaska means “where fish are abundant.” Directories of municipalities have, however, still use the name Nemiscau to designate this village.
51.671867,-76.335225
Oujé-Bougoumou
In Cree: 
Meaning: where the people gather
Population: 691
Web site of this community: www.ouje.ca
Our Local Office and Staff, in Oujé-Bougoumou:
207 Opemiska Meskino, P.O. Box 1246
Oujé-Bougoumou (Québec) G0W 3C0
T. 418-745-3911 #246 F. 418-745-3426
Staff of the Board
Dispersed throughout the forest, towns, and villages in the surrounding area, the community came together again in 1992 to form the youngest Cree village in Québec, Ouje-Bougoumou, meaning “where the people gather.” On the shores of Lake Opemiska (or Opémisca) Ouje-Bougoumou was designed and built according to a vision of harmony between the environment and Cree culture. The village is north of Chapais and west of Chibougamau.
49.925556,-74.817778
Waskaganish
In Cree: 
waaskaahiikanish
Meaning: little house
Population: 2368
Our Local Office and Staff, in Waskaganish:
57 Waskaganish Street, P O Box 329
Waskaganish (Québec) J0M 1R0
T. 819-895-2247 F. 819-895-2141
Staff of the Board
Waskaganish is a Cree community on the shores of Rupert Bay, at the confluence of the Nottaway, Broadback, Rupert, and Pontax rivers. Waskaganish is connected to the James Bay Road.
Formerly known as Rupert House in English, and Fort Rupert in French, Waskaganish is the oldest Cree village in Québec. Its name means “little house.” In 1668, the first trading post in the region was established here under the name of Fort Charles, by Médart Chouart Des Groseilliers.
51.206306,-78.763189
Waswanipi
In Cree: 
Waaswaanipii
Meaning: light over the water
Population: 1872
Website of this community: www.waswanipi.com
Our Local Office and Staff, in Waswanipi:
16 Poplar Street, Box 268
Waswanipi (Québec) J0Y 3C0
T. 819-753-2322 Ext. 225 F. 829-753-2082
Staff of the Board
Waswanipi is the southernmost Cree community in the James Bay area. It stands at the point where the Chibougamau-Senneterre Road crosses the Waswanipi River, along Route 113.
Its name, “light over the water,” refers to the practice of night fishing on the river using the light from pine resin torches.
49.694175,-75.969759
Wemindji
In Cree: 
wiiminichii
Meaning: the ochre mountains
Population: 1282
Our Local Office and Staff, in Wemindji:
16 Beaver Road, P.O. Box 219
Wemindji (Québec) J0M 1L0
T. 819-978-3145 F. 819-978-3834
Staff of the Board
Wemindji is a village on the mouth of the Maquatua River on the east coast of James Bay, connected to the James Bay Road. Its name comes from the Cree word meaning “the ochre mountains,” in reference to the red ochre (hematite) in the surrounding hills, which provide a stunning backdrop to the community. Wemindji was founded half a century ago when the town of Old Factory (Vieux-Comptoir) was relocated from its site a little further south.
52.901089,-78.785333
Whapmagoostui
In Cree: 
waapamekushtui
Meaning: white whale
Population: 829
Web site of this community: www.whapmagoostuifn.ca
Our Local Office and Staff, in Whapmagoostui:
P.O. Box 459
Whapmagoostui (Québec) J0M 1G0
T. 819-929-3615 #234 F. 819-929-3969
Staff of the Board
Whapmagoostui is the only Cree village in Nunavik and the only one without a road connection. It is also the northernmost village on Eeyou Istchee territory. Whapmagoostui is located on the border between taiga and tundra at the mouth of the Great Whale River, where James Bay ends and Hudson’s Bay begins.
Whapmagoostui means “white whale.” The name comes from the local tradition of hunting belugas for meat and oil at the mouths of the Great and Little Whale rivers in summer. A trading post was established there in the 18th century, and the village became known as Great Whale, a name it retained until a mere 20 years ago.
55.198159,-77.357181
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