Our People

The Moose Cree First Nation

Nobody puts on a show here, everyone likes to laugh, everyone will give you their real self.

Who are we?

We are the Moose Cree First Nation, descendants of ancient people who travelled with the seasons in family groups, living, hunting, and trapping in the land we call KIT ASKI NAHNUUN.

Our Moose Cree community is comprised of about 3,800 citizens and our Homeland spreads across thousands of square kilometres of subarctic forest, river and wetland just south of Hudson Bay, in the James Bay lowlands. Many of our people live in the community of Moose Factory Island, a remote island in the middle of the Moose River mouth.

Our traditions are alive and well

Our culture has grown over many generations, guided and shaped by our relationship to our Homeland. The land and water sustains us socially, culturally and economically. Hunting, fishing and trapping still form the core of our traditions, as do boating, snowshoeing and seasonal harvesting activities.

Our language

We are an Algonquin-speaking group known in our local tongue as ILL-LOO-WUK (People of the Land).

We are part of a broader network of ancestors known as MUSHKEGOWUK (People of the Muskeg or Land). In this wider regional language we are called OMUSHKEGO Cree.

Our ancient heritage

The OMUSHKEGO Cree relationship with the sub-arctic environment is based upon a long history of intimacy with the land. Our heritage is as unique and precious as the land itself.

Scholars confirm we were the first peoples to inhabit northeastern Ontario.

In our stories and legends, we pay respect to those who came thousands of years ago: the animals who existed long before humans and who spoke in languages as humans do.

Close-knit communities

We've understood how to work together since long before European fur traders first came to our land. Our Elders and Leaders value this vital part of our heritage.

Even today, many of us travel to our traditional camps in the region for harvesting activities in the autumn and spring months.

We share the community of Moose Factory with people of the MoCreebec Cree Nation and other aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples. Together with the community of nearby Moosonee, we share common values and interests, and live and work together to achieve common goals.

Our goals

We're looking forward to the future. We strive to understand the interests of all who are involved in developing and managing the resources of our beautiful land.

We value the ties of family and friendship and look forward to welcoming guests to spend time with our community in the spirit of sharing and learning.

Read our mission statement.

Adapting our traditional culture to modern realities

Pursuits such as trapping and hunting still make up at least 25% of the local Cree economy, while many of our community members are working as successful entrepreneurs, teachers and managers.

Through our commitment to sustainability and ecotourism practices, we hope to introduce the world to Moose Cree First Nations culture in a way that respects both the heritage of the past and our hopes for the future.