The Cree First Nation of Waswanipi app is now available

Wâswânipî (ᐙᔅᐙᓂᐲ), or "Light on the Water," takes its name from the old practice of fishing at night by the light of torches fuelled by pine tar to spear and catch sturgeon. The Cree First Nation of Waswanipi is a self-governing Cree band under the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and is part of the Grand Council of the Crees. The community's mission is to "light the way by empowering our people and our land."

For more than a century, the community's life centred on the fur-trading post on Waswanipi Island. After the post closed in June 1965, members were spread across several towns. Following the 1975 Agreement, the late former chief Peter Gull led the effort to bring the community back together. Work on the new site started in 1976, and families moved into the first houses in 1977.

Preserving Cree culture and language is a community priority. Families come together each summer for chiiwetau ("going home") at the Old Post, and the walking-out ceremony marks the moment toddlers take their first steps outside. Today, community life also includes:

• A Cultural Village and summer festivals, including the Fishing Derby
• Forestry partnerships
• A marten-monitoring program for youth that combines western science and traditional knowledge

Matthew A. Happyjack serves as Chief for the 2026–2030 term. Learn more on the official website.