Atikamekw of Manawan facts for kids
The Atikamekw of Manawan are a group of Atikamekw people. They are a First Nation in Quebec, Canada. They mostly live in the Manawan community. This community is an Indian reserve in Lanaudière. In 2016, about 2,892 people were part of this First Nation. They are led by the Manawan Atikamekw Council. This council works with the Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw, which is the main Atikamekw tribal council.
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Who Are the Atikamekw of Manawan?
The people of the Manawan First Nation are Atikamekw. In October 2016, their group had 2,892 members. About 409 of these members lived outside the reserve. A study from 2011 showed that the average age of the people was 19 years old.
Where Do the Atikamekw of Manawan Live?
The Atikamekw of Manawan mainly live on their Indian reserve called Manawan. This reserve is in Lanaudière, Quebec. It is about 113 kilometers northeast of Mont-Laurier. The closest town with services is Saint-Michel-des-Saints. The biggest city nearby is Montreal.
Atikamekw Culture and Seasons
The culture and way of life for the people of Manawan follow six seasons. These seasons guide their activities and travels across their land. Each season has a main activity. The place where they set up camp also changes. Their connection with nature changes with each season.
| Atikamekw Season | English Name | Months | Main Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nipin | Summer | July, August | Picking blueberries, fishing with nets, hunting small animals, making baskets from tree bark |
| Takwakin | Autumn | September, October | Moose mating season, hunting moose |
| Pitcipipon | Pre-Winter | November, December | Trapping animals, setting traps for hares, catching beavers by hand |
| Pipon | Winter | January, February | Fishing on ice |
| Sikon | Pre-Spring | March, April | Making maple sugar |
| Miroskamin | Spring | May, June | Hunting ducks and partridges |
Languages Spoken in Manawan
The Atikamekw of Manawan speak the Atikamekw language. This language is part of the Algonquian languages family. Everyone in the community knows the Atikamekw language. It is their main language for talking every day. It is also the language used for teaching in pre-school and the first three years of primary school. After that, teaching is done in French. French is the second language spoken by everyone in the community.
How the Manawan First Nation is Governed
The Manawan First Nation is led by a group called the Conseil Atikamekw de Manawan. This means "Atikamekw Council of Manawan" in French. The council members are chosen through their own special election system. This system follows rules from Section 11 of the Indian Act. From 2014 to 2018, the council had a chief named Jean-Roch Ottawa and six other council members.
