Wemindji, from the Cree word “wiimin uchii” meaning “ochre hills”, gets its name from the red pigment found in the geography surrounding it. This fairly new community comprises Cree families that originally lived at the trading post known in Cree as “Paakumshumwashtikw”, in French as “Vieux-Comptoir”, and in English as “Old Factory.” This trading post was founded in the 17th century and was alternately under British and French control. Old Factory Band, as it was called at first, was established in 1951 on an Island of Paakumshumwashtikw, 45 km north of the current location. In 1959, it was relocated at its present position.

Historians say that the great explorer Henry Hudson and some loyal crew members were cast adrift, following a mutiny, in a small boat in 1611 on James Bay, near the Old Factory/Wemindji area. They were never seen again, but rumours say that they reached our community!

The Cree people who live here, who also call themselves Iyiyuuch, meaning “the people,” have a deep attachment to their past. They keep our traditions alive. Our elders are the bedrock of our Iyiyuu/Cree society, keeping traditions alive through stories and legends. It is what makes our nation unique and our people strong. Most lakes, rivers and mountains have a name and a story, sometimes many, associated with them. This knowledge has been, and continues to be, passed down through generations.

The Iyiyuuch continue to practise the ancient hunting, fishing and trapping way of life that sustained our ancestors since time immemorial. Traditional activities and events, such as the spring and fall goose hunt and the walking-out ceremonies, continue to be a vital part of our community life. Today a third of our population still lives year-round in the bush, and others return to their family traplines on weekends or when they have free time. It has been said that Wemindji is like a ghost town when the geese hunt is at its prime.

The Cree Nation of Wemindji has adopted a management system for the provision of its public services, integrating seven quality management principles into all of its processes:

1. Customer focus — meet community members’ requirements and strive to exceed their expectations.
2. Leadership — establish clear alignment within the leadership team to achieve the organization’s objectives.
3. Engagement of people — have competent, empowered and engaged people at all levels of the organization to steadily deliver results.
4. Process approach — master all processes and their interrelations to deliver consistent and predictable results.
5. Improvement — continuously focus on wisely improving what exists and how things are done.
6. Evidence-based decision-making — collect and analyze data and information to make the wisest decisions possible, based on facts.
7. Relationship management — internal and external relationships are key to our success and we need to nurture them.

The Cree Nation of Wemindji Administration serves to satisfy all our customers: the members of Wemindji, the employees of the Cree Nation of Wemindji, and our related business entities and external providers.

The Cree Nation of Wemindji makes all efforts to ensure that members and employees are treated with dignity and respect at all times.

The Mission of the Cree Nation of Wemindji Administration, as approved in our Principles of Good Government, is:

1. To deliver the best possible services and programs for the members, consistent with the policies, workplans and budgets approved by the Chief and Council.
2. To manage the funds entrusted to the Administration in a fully responsible, accountable, and efficient manner.
3. To provide quality services to support the work of the Chief and Council.
4. To conduct themselves as role models and represent the best interests of the Cree Nation of Wemindji in all internal and external dealings.

Management will assess the effectiveness of the quality management system and objectives on a regular basis to ensure continual improvement. Each department will have set objectives within their workplans as approved in their respective budgets, and will abide by our approved financial policies.

The Cree Nation of Wemindji will ensure that this policy is communicated, understood, implemented, and maintained at all levels. The Administration will also ensure that the Management Review is conducted and reviewed at set times annually.

Approved by Katerine Moses, Director General, and Shalane Tomatuk, Treasurer, on October 11, 2023.

• 📄 Amendment Of Law Respecting Measures To Manage The Spread Of Covid-19 Through Mandatory Testing
• 📄 Annual User Charge Rate – 2022-2023
• 📄Annual User Charge Rate – 2023-2024
• 📄 Domestic Animals Law
• 📄 Election Law
• 📄 Emergency Management Law
• 📄 Executive Committee Law
• 📄 Fundraising Committee Law
• 📄 Law Respecting Measures To Contain The Spread Of Covid-19 Through Mandatory Self-isolation
• 📄 Law Respecting Measures To Manage The Spread Of Covid-19 Through Mandatory Testing
• 📄 Quality Policy Signed
• 📄 Respecting The Elders Council
• 📄 Respecting The Human Resources Committee