About Eastmain
Eastmain is located on the east coast of James Bay, on the south shore of the Eastmain River. The territory of Eastmain, designated as Category 1 land, is comprised of 489.53 square kilometres. The town itself has about 8 kilometres of, now paved, roads and is accessible year round by a gravel access road and via Air Creebec.
Eastmain is one of the nine communities that make up the Cree Nation; one of four Cree communities that are located on the eastern shore of James Bay. The Cree Nation is the largest group in the Algonkian language family in Canada. The Cree Nation is almost equally divided between the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Approximately 13,000 Crees live in Northern Ontario and nearly 16,000 Crees live in Northern Quebec. All occupy the vast area around James Bay.
The
first contact with the Crees, though some reports show the first contact
may have been even earlier, occurred in 1610 during the explorations of
Henry Hudson. As a result, the trading outposts were established in the
region and the fur trade boomed. This led to the creation of the Hudson
Bay Company.Eastmain got its name in 1730 by the local Hudson Bay
trading post that had become the company's trading headquarters for the
east coast of James Bay and Hudson Bay. The town was originally located
on the north shore of the Eastmain River, but in 1762, Eastmain was
re-located to the south shore because it provided easier access to the
town from the James Bay.
The Hudson Bay Company trading post brought
commercial trading to the community and the company maintain a presence
in the area, until recently, because the area was rich in natural
resources and was famous for its trout, whitefish, and pike. As trading
became more of a custom, Cree people began to settle in the area and the
community of Eastmain was established in the early 18th century,
however, the territory was reserved for the use of the Crees under the
lands and forests Act, only in 1962.To this day, with a population reaching near 700, the main economic activities of the community are its services sectors. This would include a restaurant within a hotel, private businesses, and a construction company with a gas station and garage. Eastmain is also the headquarters for the Cree Regional Trappers, whose role is to support all local Cree Trappers by maintaining the practices of their traditional activities. Other services include its emergency service departments, local radio station, post office, local schools, government service sectors, sports and recreation complex, local development corporation, a Wellness Centre, and local medical services.
