Moose Cree First Nation
Encyclopedia
The Moose Cree First Nation (formerly known as Moose Factory Band of Indians) is a Cree
First Nation
in northern Ontario, Canada. Since time immemorial, their traditional territory is on the west side of James Bay
. The nation has two reserves: Factory Island 1 (the northern two-thirds of Moose Factory Island
); and Moose Factory 68, a tract of land about 15 km upstream on the Moose River
covering 168.82 square kilometres (65.2 sq mi).
were a peaceful nation who, for most of the year, would travel to and from harvesting areas, living off the land. During the summer months they traveled on the waterways by canoe: harvesting and preserving fish, berries and other food staples. Bountiful waterfowl was harvested during the fall months along the shores of the James Bay
. Prior to the arrival of harsh winter months the families made their way to their wintering grounds where they will harvest big game and fur bearing animals. Just prior to the spring thaw, the Cree families hunted waterfowl as they migrated north. Thus was the annual cycle of the swampy Cree.
The early exposure to the European society had drastically influenced the lifestyle of the local inhabitants of the area. A fur trading post was "established" in Moose Factory area in 1673 by the Hudson's Bay Company
. As a result, the Cree began to congregate in and around the fur trade post and became deeply exposed to European lifestyle. Today, Moose Factory
holds the "distinction" of being Ontario
's oldest English speaking settlement.
In 1905, on behalf of the King of England, Treaty Commissioners, "negotiated" a treaty with Moose Cree First Nation. Treaty #9 was signed on the ninth day of August 1905. To view the contents of Treaty No 9 go to: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/trts/trty9_e.html Two tracts of land were subsequently set aside for use and "benefit" of Moose Cree First Nation members. Moose Factory Indian reserve #1 is located on the Moose Factory Island. It occupied approximately two thirds of the island. The second tract of land, namely, Moose Factory Indian reserve #68 is located approximately 10 miles south from Moose Factory at the mouth of the French River
.
The name "Moose Factory" is derived from its location on the Moose River
as well as from the fur trade era of the Hudson's Bay Company
. The officer in charge of the fur trading post was referred to as the "factor". Another account is that the name originates from the name of the river and a furniture factory that was once located within the community.
Cree
The Cree are one of the largest groups of First Nations / Native Americans in North America, with 200,000 members living in Canada. In Canada, the major proportion of Cree live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, although...
First Nation
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
in northern Ontario, Canada. Since time immemorial, their traditional territory is on the west side of James Bay
James Bay
James Bay is a large body of water on the southern end of Hudson Bay in Canada. Both bodies of water extend from the Arctic Ocean. James Bay borders the provinces of Quebec and Ontario; islands within the bay are part of Nunavut...
. The nation has two reserves: Factory Island 1 (the northern two-thirds of Moose Factory Island
Moose Factory Island
Moose Factory Island is an island in the Moose River, Ontario, Canada, about from its mouth at James Bay. It is adjacent to the community of Moosonee across the Moose River, from which it is accessible by water taxi....
); and Moose Factory 68, a tract of land about 15 km upstream on the Moose River
Moose River (Ontario)
The Moose River is a Canadian river in the Hudson Plains ecozone of northern Ontario which flows 100 km northeast from the junction of the Mattagami and Missinaibi Rivers into James Bay. Its drainage basin is 108,500 km² and it has a mean discharge rate of 1370 m³/s. Its full length...
covering 168.82 square kilometres (65.2 sq mi).
History
The CreeCree
The Cree are one of the largest groups of First Nations / Native Americans in North America, with 200,000 members living in Canada. In Canada, the major proportion of Cree live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, although...
were a peaceful nation who, for most of the year, would travel to and from harvesting areas, living off the land. During the summer months they traveled on the waterways by canoe: harvesting and preserving fish, berries and other food staples. Bountiful waterfowl was harvested during the fall months along the shores of the James Bay
James Bay
James Bay is a large body of water on the southern end of Hudson Bay in Canada. Both bodies of water extend from the Arctic Ocean. James Bay borders the provinces of Quebec and Ontario; islands within the bay are part of Nunavut...
. Prior to the arrival of harsh winter months the families made their way to their wintering grounds where they will harvest big game and fur bearing animals. Just prior to the spring thaw, the Cree families hunted waterfowl as they migrated north. Thus was the annual cycle of the swampy Cree.
The early exposure to the European society had drastically influenced the lifestyle of the local inhabitants of the area. A fur trading post was "established" in Moose Factory area in 1673 by the Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
. As a result, the Cree began to congregate in and around the fur trade post and became deeply exposed to European lifestyle. Today, Moose Factory
Moose Factory, Ontario
Moose Factory is a community in the Cochrane District, Ontario, Canada. It is on Moose Factory Island, near the mouth of the Moose River, which is at the southern end of James Bay. It was the first English-speaking settlement in Ontario and the second Hudson's Bay Company post to be set up in North...
holds the "distinction" of being Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
's oldest English speaking settlement.
In 1905, on behalf of the King of England, Treaty Commissioners, "negotiated" a treaty with Moose Cree First Nation. Treaty #9 was signed on the ninth day of August 1905. To view the contents of Treaty No 9 go to: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/trts/trty9_e.html Two tracts of land were subsequently set aside for use and "benefit" of Moose Cree First Nation members. Moose Factory Indian reserve #1 is located on the Moose Factory Island. It occupied approximately two thirds of the island. The second tract of land, namely, Moose Factory Indian reserve #68 is located approximately 10 miles south from Moose Factory at the mouth of the French River
French River
French River may refer to:*Any river within the country of France -Rivers named "French":*In Canada:**French River, Colchester, Nova Scotia**French River, Pictou, Nova Scotia**French River *In the United States:...
.
The name "Moose Factory" is derived from its location on the Moose River
Moose River
Moose River may refer to:Rivers:*Moose River *Moose River *Moose River *Moose River *Moose River *Moose River *Moose River Places:*Moose River, Maine...
as well as from the fur trade era of the Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
. The officer in charge of the fur trading post was referred to as the "factor". Another account is that the name originates from the name of the river and a furniture factory that was once located within the community.