Nitchequon (pronounced NITCH-e-kun) was an inland trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company in the remote geographic centre of Quebec, Canada. It is believed to have operated during 1816-22, 1825 and 1834-1943.
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Historically, there was a community of Cree inhabiting Nitchequon as well as some Naskapi residents.[1]
The Hudson Bay Company used Nitchequon as a stop or trading post along the fur-trader routes.[2] French-Canadian canoe voyageurs (brigades) would stop at Nitchequon to exchange furs for supplies. However, due to its remote location and the fact it was the Hudson's Bay Company's farthest trading post, it was not cost-effective for the Hudson's Bay Company to continue running it. As a result, it closed in 1943.[3]
The Hudson's Bay Company re-opened the Nitchequon trade post around 1950, using air transport instead of canoe brigades. However, it was closed again around the 1960s it is believed, and most Cree residents moved to Mistissini.[4]
Nitchequon is located on Lac Nichicun in a remote area of Quebec. The elevation is 536m.[5] Historically, this area was part of Labrador. [6]
In 1986, the Canadian government closed the weather station. Today Nitchequon is a ghost town.[7]