Chisasibi, Quebec

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Coordinates: 53°47′N, 78°53′W Chisasibi (great river in Cree) is a village on the eastern shore of James Bay, one of nine Cree villages in the James Bay region of Northern Québec, Canada, that are members of the Grand Council of the Crees of Québec. It is situated on the south shore of the La Grande River, less than 10 km (6 miles) from the river's mouth. The territory surrounding Chisasibi is part of the Municipality of Baie-James, of which parts are jointly managed with the Cree Regional Authority.

The inhabitants of Chisasibi lived until 1981 in Fort George, located on an island in the mouth of the La Grande River. Founded by the Hudson's Bay Company as a trading post in the early nineteenth century, Fort George became a permanent village as the local Cree population abandoned their nomadic way of life in the early 20th century and settled nearby. In the mid 1970s, the construction of the James Bay hydro-electric project began, diverting upstream rivers into the La Grande watershed, increasing its flow significantly, resulting in erosion of Fort George Island and disruption to the formation of a solid ice cover in winter. In response the community was relocated in 1981 to a new site on the mainland and renamed Chisasibi (source: Ottertooth.com [1]).

Chisasibi community centre

Chisasibi has a population of about 3,300, including about 100 Inuit, and is the most northern Cree village accessible by road. A 90 km paved road, running parallel to the La Grande River, connects Chisasibi to the Route de la Baie James (James Bay Road). The James Bay Road, formerly part of Route 109, was built from 1971 to 1974 as part of the James Bay hydroelectric project and connects Matagami to Radisson. Radisson, a community about 100 km to the east of Chisasibi, has a population of about 500 who are mostly employed directly or indirectly by Hydro-Québec. Chisasibi Airport is located just west of the village and Air Creebec operates scheduled service from this airport.

Many Cree in Chisasibi engage in hunting, trapping, and fishing activities but all catch is meant for local consumption. Other economic activity includes local services (health care and education), employment by Hydro-Québec and some hospitality services.

Other Cree villages near Chisasibi are Whapmagoostui, 200 km (125 miles) to the north in Nunavik, on the eastern shore of Hudson Bay near the Northern village of Kuujjuarapik, and Wemindji, about 100 km (60 miles) to the south.