Waswanipi, Quebec facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waswanipi
ᐙᔅᐙᓂᐲ (Cree)
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Cree community
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| Etymology: Light over the water | |
 Waswanipi
Location in Quebec
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Region | Northern Quebec |
| TE | Eeyou Istchee |
| Government | |
| • Type | Cree reserved land |
| Area | |
| • Land | 385.83 km2 (148.97 sq mi) |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 459 |
| • Density | 1.2/km2 (3/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Postal Code |
J0Y 3C0
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| Area code(s) | 819 |
Waswanipi (Cree: ᐙᔅᐙᓂᐲ or Wâswânipî) is a Cree community in central Quebec, Canada. It is part of the Eeyou Istchee territory. The community is located along Route 113. It is also near where the Chibougamau and Waswanipi Rivers meet.
As of the Canada 2021 Census, 459 people live in Waswanipi. The name Waswanipi comes from two Cree words. Wâswân means "a place to fish at night using a torch." -pî means "lake." So, the name means "torch-fishing lake." People often translate it as "light over the water." This refers to the old way of fishing at night by using torches to attract fish.
The first village was on an island in Lake Waswanipi (49°39′N 76°29′W / 49.650°N 76.483°W). A Hudson's Bay Company trading post was there until 1965. After the post closed, people moved away. In 1978, a new village of Waswanipi was built. It is about 47 kilometers (29 miles) upstream from the old spot.
Languages Spoken in Waswanipi
Waswanipi is a community where people speak three languages. Most residents speak the Southern East Cree dialect of the Cree language. This is their main language.
Many people also speak English or French. Some even speak both. Older people in the community often speak only Cree.
Education in Waswanipi
The Cree School Board manages the schools in Waswanipi. There are three schools for students in the community.
- Willie J. Happyjack Memorial School (ᐧᐃᓖ ᒉᐄ ᐦᐋᐲᒑᒃ ᒋᔅᑯᑕᒫᒉᐅᑲᒥᒄ)
- Rainbow Elementary School (ᐲᓯᒧᔮᐲ ᒋᔅᑯᑕᒫᒉᐅᑲᒥᒄ)
- Jolina Gull-Blacksmith Memorial School
As of 2017, Willie J. Happyjack Memorial School had 536 students. These schools help children learn and grow in their community.
