Abitibi-Témiscamingue
The ultimate great outdoors
In Québec’s northern hinterlands, wide open spaces rule supreme! Barely 30,000 people live in this vast, near-virgin territory that extends for some 350,000 km² (135,000 sq. mi.) and constitutes nearly one fifth of Québec’s total area. The Cree, some 14,000 of whom live in nine communities scattered along James Bay and further inland, have lived here for millennia, and call the land Istchee (Land of the People). The region is also home to a number of municipalities whose economies are based largely on natural resource exploitation. Travellers can obtain information on the region from two different tourist associations: Tourisme Baie-James and Eeyou Istchee, a Cree-run outfitting and tourism agency.
The call of the north
Interspersed with innumerable rivers and waterways, the region is one of the earth’s last untouched realms. Here you’ll find Québec’s largest natural lake, Lac Mistassini (2,335 km² / 900 sq. mi.). The lake is located in the Lacs-Albanel-Mistassini-et-Waconichi wildlife reserve, which covers a territory as vast as Sicily! Part of the reserve and its adjacent lands are now included in the projected Albanel-Témiscamie-Otish biosphere reserve, a Québec national park currently in the planning stages. From the 49th to the 52nd parallel, the land is dominated by the black spruce of the boreal forest, before giving way to the taiga, which takes over gradually up to the 55th parallel. A major caribou herd winters in the territory’s northern reaches. Renowned for its majestic rivers and abundance of fish and game, the region boasts many outfitters and promises hunters and fishers a fine catch.Winter like you’ve never seen it
Any destination that’s as far north obviously enjoys superb snow conditions. Snowmobile trails criss-cross the region’s southern reaches, linking many communities from Val Cantons in the extreme west to Chibougamau by way of Matagami, Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Waswanipi, Oujé-Bougoumou, Mistissini and Chapais. Ice fishing is also a treat, while dogsled excursions take on their full meaning in this part of the world.
Authentic culture
Though fully in sync with today’s world, the Cree have succeeded in preserving their language and culture—and are more than delighted to share them with visitors. Accompanied by native guides, get a glimpse of their traditional way of life, which is based on hunting, fishing and trapping. It’s also a chance to hear ancestral tales, taste authentic cuisine and appreciate the unique arts and crafts of nine Cree communities. One of them, Oujé-Bougoumou, has been identified by the UN as one of the 50 communities worldwide that best harmonize Aboriginal traditions with modern life, and ecological values with technology.Modernity and tourism
In recent decades, the rivers of Baie-James have witnessed the erection of colossal hydroelectric facilities, including the Robert-Bourassa Generating Facility, home to the world’s largest underground power station, and the La Grande-1 Generating Station. From the 1950s onward, tens of thousands of workers swarmed the region to build the impressive complex. Radisson, the final stop north on the Route de la Baie-James, accommodated the workers who built the giant dams. Discover what their day-to-day lives were like at Parc Robert-A.-Boyd, an interpretation site that has faithfully recreated an exploration camp.Nature’s riches
The territory also holds immense forest and mineral wealth that includes gold, silver, copper and zinc. At Chibougamau’s Centre d'intérêt minier (mining centre), you can trace the evolution of mining through the ages. To learn more about the various northern ecosystems—the tundra, taiga and boreal forest—wander along the pathways of the Zone récréative du Lac Matagami and set foot on one of North America’s oldest volcanoes!
Baie-James and Eeyou Istchee, where nature’s perfection merges with modern life and thousands of years of tradition.
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