History

Attawapiskat is home to the Mushkego, Omushkego James Bay Cree also known as Mushkegowuk Cree Omushkegowuk Cree, western James Bay, west-coast, Swampy, Omushkego, and Hudson Bay Lowland Cree. The location of the town has been a gathering place for local Native people for centuries but their land use and occupation covered a vast area. Originally it was a seasonal camp that was visited only in the spring and summer to take advantage of the prime fishing on one of the main drainage rivers of James Bay. Historically, in the wintertime, families left the location to live in other trapping, hunting and gathering sites along the coast, inland or on Akimiski Island also known as "Agamiski and Atimiski Island, and less commonly as Agumiski, Akamiski, Kamanski, Viner's Island, and Oubaskou."

 

Attawapiskat was entered into treaty with Canada relatively late, in 1930 (Treaty 9 adhesion), and the majority of the First Nation members moved to the community as late as the mid-1960s. Traditional structures, thinking and interpretation of life were maintained in a deeper fashion than for many less isolated First Nations communities. Some elders lead a traditional life on the land, moving into the community only over Christmas season. Some families, although having their home base in the community, use the land extensively as their economic and social basis. The vast majority of community members are involved in the yearly goose hunts in fall and spring. Therefore, there is an awareness of traditional way of life among most of the Attawapiskat First Nation members.

 

Attawapiskat has grown from a settlement of temporary dwellings, such as tents and teepees, in the 1950s to a community with permanent buildings, which were constructed in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Traditional harvesters from Attawapiskat First Nation continue to regularly hunt caribou, goose, and fish along the Attawapiskat River, while tending trap lines throughout the region. This goes beyond subsistence hunting and fishing. It comprises an important part of local culture and identity.

 

The Hudson's Bay Company introduced the commercial fur trapping economy first by establishing a post in Fort Albany in the late 17th century. The post in Attawapiskat was established toward the end of the 19th century.