Chisasibi
The Largest Cree Community On James Bay, On The La Grande River Near Its Mouth, With The Cree Cultural Centre, A Cree Style Church, River Fishing, A Coast With Geese And The Nearby Radisson Hydro Region. A Very Long Road Trip North On The James Bay Road With A Strong Cree Culture · Chisasibi, Quebec
Chisasibi is the largest Cree community on James Bay, home to about 4,800 people on the south shore of the La Grande River near its mouth, roughly 1,400 km north of Montreal. The village was moved here around 1980 from Fort George island, which lies a short boat ride away, when the great hydroelectric project changed the river. Today it is a modern Cree town with a school, stores, a hospital clinic and a lively community life, where Cree is spoken at home and signs often appear in syllabics. A cultural centre, a church, the river and the nearby bay give a visitor a good look at northern Cree life, while the tidal coast brings geese in spring and autumn. The journey is part of the story: the James Bay Road runs for hundreds of kilometres through boreal forest, rivers and hydro country before the side road to town. Services are modest, with a hotel, restaurants and shops, and everything is priced for distance. Plan fuel, food and lodging well ahead, and ask before taking pictures or walking onto community land.
Chisasibi, a Cree community of about 4,800 people on the south shore of the La Grande River at its mouth on James Bay, reached by the James Bay Road about 1,400 km north of Montreal; coordinates approximate, Chisasibi, Quebec, Canada
Chisasibi keeps no formal visiting hours because it is a living community. The cultural centre, craft shops, the hotel desk and stores are generally open about 9 to 5 on weekdays, with shorter weekend hours and closures for community events - confirm by phone before the long drive. Boat trips to the old Fort George island depend on tide, wind and the guide. Goose season in late April and May brings school breaks and many families out on the land, so offices may be quieter then. The James Bay Road is open year-round, though winter conditions and short daylight shape the day.