The Cree translation of "Waswanipi" (pronounced WA-SWA-NEE-PEE) means "Light on the water". It refers to a traditional way of catching fish at the Old Post by holding a fire or lantern over the water at night and luring the fish towards the light on the water.

We are part of the great Cree Nation that extends from the eastern James Bay to northern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Our ancestors have occupied and lived on our lands since time immemorial. We established trading relations with the Algonquins, Ojibways, Montagnais, Ottawas and Iroquois. We traveled extensively on light and maneuverable birch bark canoes during the summer and on snowshoes and toboggans in the winter. We practiced our traditional way of life by devising hunting techniques and weapons such as the bow and arrow, snares, deadfalls and bird bolas. Fishnets were made from roots and "babiche" to capture the fish. Birch bark containers were made to keep the food fresh, for example, dried fish was pounded as a kind of flour that was sometimes mixed with berries. We honored all wildlife through our chants and songs in our dome-shaped lodges, to celebrate a successful hunting expedition or to give thanks to the creator.

In the early 17th century, our ancestors witnessed the arrival of the English explorers and fur traders by the Hudson and James Bay waters. The French "coureurs de bois" and missionaries arrived through the inland routes by Montreal and Quebec. The most important event that benefited our people was the founding of the Hudson Bay Company on May 2, 1670. During that time, our people were closely related with the Hudson Bay Company which eventually established a trading post on Waswanipi Lake. From our post, we instituted canoe brigades in our trading activities with the coastal HBC posts. The long time leadership of our Chief Diom Blacksmith assisted our people to face the growing presence and activities of non-natives on our lands.

At the end of the 1960's and early 1970's, our rivers and ecology were threatened by the development of hydro-electric projects. Our opposition to the unchecked hydro-development led to the creation of the Grand Council of the Crees in 1974, which represented nine Cree communities of Northern Quebec. The signing of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement in 1975 was the first of the "modern treaties" that partly described our rights to our lands.

Our people occupied the traditional lands of Waswanipi traplines in the 60's and 70's. It was under the leadership of Chief Peter Gull (elected in 1968) and our people that decided to build our present day community which is located on Highway 113 between Lebel-sur-Quevillion and Chibougamau. The land acquired in 1973 and Our mother tongue is Cree and we are fluent in French and English. Many of our people still live a traditional way of life centered on the traplines located around our modern community. Our surrounding rivers are a part of the James Bay drainage system that served as trading routes for our ancestors before and after the establishment of the Hudson's Bay Company in the 17th Century.

Every year, we honor our past by going home to our roots at the old post or as we called it GEEWETAU. This is a community gathering where we celebrate and acknowledge our roots and history since time immemorial. Imagine a place where all kinds of fish such as Sturgeons, walleyes and white-fish swim in hundreds in the crystal clear waters of our lakes and rivers. Where the moose and black bears roam in the dense forests of black spruces, where the partridge and countless rabbits seek shelter in the stands of waving aspens and tamaracks. Flying overhead are V flights of the Canada Geese, ducks and loons the gracefully land on the calm waters. You would, undoubtedly, exclaim to yourself "this is a hunter's and fisherman's paradise!"

Come and visit our community and you will experience the unique occasion of meeting our people and learning our singular and enduring way of life. This is a place where the natural wonders of the north are accessible and our people are very generous and hospitable.

Thank you - Meequetch - Merci - Kwei.