The Crees of the Waskaganish First Nation facts for kids
| People | Cree |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Waskaganish |
| Province | Quebec |
| Land | |
| Main reserve | Waskaganish |
| Land area | 502.26 km2 |
| Population (2019) | |
| On reserve | 2308 |
| On other land | 139 |
| Off reserve | 459 |
| Total population | 2906 |
| Government | |
| Chief | Clark Shecapio |
| Council |
|
| Tribal Council | |
| Grand Council of the Crees | |
| Website | |
| Waskaganish.ca | |
The Crees of the Waskaganish First Nation is a group of Cree people in Canada. They are also known as the Cree Nation of Waskaganish. The name Waskaganish (Cree: ᐙᔅᑳᐦᐄᑲᓂᔥ/Wâskâhîkaniš) means Little House.
This First Nation has its main office, or headquarters, in the Cree village of Waskaganish. This village is in a special area called Eeyou Istchee in Northern Quebec, Canada. The land set aside for the Nation is called Waskaganish terre réservée crie, which means Cree reserved land. The village is located at the northern part of this reserve. It sits on the southern shore where the Rupert River flows into the southeast side of James Bay.
Contents
Understanding the Waskaganish Cree Nation
The Crees of the Waskaganish First Nation are part of the larger Cree family. They have lived in this area for a very long time. A "First Nation" is one of the many Indigenous groups in Canada. They have their own governments and cultures.
Where is Waskaganish Located?
Waskaganish is in the northern part of Quebec, a large province in Canada. It's a remote area, meaning it's far from big cities. The community is right by the water, where the Rupert River meets James Bay. This location has always been important for hunting, fishing, and travel.
How the Waskaganish Nation is Governed
Like many First Nations, the Waskaganish Cree Nation has its own leaders. They work to make decisions for their community.
The Chief and Council
The leader of the Nation is called the Chief. The current Chief is Clark Shecapio. The Chief works with a group of people called the Council. These council members help make important choices for the community. They are elected by the people of the Nation.
The Council members include:
- Jimmy (Tim) Whiskeychan (Vice Chief)
- Gordon J. Blackned
- Gordon Blueboy
- Brenda Hester
- Samson Wischee
- Conrad Blueboy
- Redfern Blueboy
- Greta Cheecho
- Kaitlynn Hester-Moses
- Ethel Katapatuk-Taylor
Working with Other Cree Nations
The Waskaganish First Nation is also part of a bigger group called the Grand Council of the Crees. This council helps many Cree Nations work together on important issues.
Population and Community Life
As of 2019, there were 2,308 people living on the Waskaganish reserve. Another 139 people lived on other lands, and 459 lived off the reserve. The total population shows a strong community, with many people living on their traditional lands. The reserve itself covers an area of about 502 square kilometers.
