The region of James Bay covers 350,000 km2 (217,480 mi2) of boreal forests and taiga spotted with countless rivers and lakes. This is where Jamesians (non-natives) and the Cree of Eeyou Istchee (who have lived there for nearly 5,000 years) cohabit. Eeyou Istchee, which means “Land of the People” in Cree, was created as a new region in 2008 so as to regroup Cree nations and their tourism supply resources. The region is known for many out-of-the-ordinary activities, such as hunting and fishing (offered by numerous outfitters), caribou observation, snowmobiling and dogsledding in the wintertime, ecotourism and unique guided tours, not to mention the unforgettable displays of northern lights! Commensurate with the vastness of its territory, James Bay has the largest natural lake in Quebec, Mistassini Lake, measuring 2,115 km2 (1,314 mi2), the biggest wildlife reserve in the province, near Chibougamau, and the world’s largest underground generating station, the Robert-Bourassa Generating Facility. The Oujé-Bougoumou village, recently founded, uniting tradition and modernism, invites you to come discover the cuisine, handicrafts and culture of the Cree. For its part, the Centre d’intérêt minier de Chibougamau (Chibougamau Mining Discovery Centre) provides visitors with background information on the history of mines; the guided tour of the mine’s headings isn’t to be missed!
Major citites and towns
Activities to do
in the region
of James Bay
Lodging
in the region
of James Bay