| Chisasibi "Situated at Kilometer 6 of the James Bay Highway, since 1980-81 when it was relocated from the island of Fort George, Chisasibi is a vibrant, young and growing community—population approximately 3,300. Cree is the language of the community and English and French are the additional languages of work..." Chisasibi means "great river," and is named after the river on which the community is built, known by its official name, the La Grande River. The original settlement of Fort George, has been the site of Hudson's Bay Company trading posts since 1803, initially located on the north side of the river, and then after 1837, on the present location of Governor's or Fort George Island. Throughout much of the 19th century, Fort George was one of the largest trading posts in Iiyiyuuschii, along with Rupert House, located at the present community of Waskaganish. "Chisasibi is one of the Cree communities most directly affected by the Hydro-Quebec projects, for example flooding of the hunting and trapping territories and the uprooting of the community to a new location, resulting in tremendous social, educational and economic changes. Consequently, the community has been and is actively searching for an initiating a range of viable local educational, social and economic development programs to meet the needs of its rapidly expanding population and work force. "James Bay Eeyou School provides educational programs from pre-kindergarten to secondary five for over 1000 students...Cree being the language of instruction to grade three and English or French as a second language following this." Services are provided by many public institutions and facilities within the community, including the Wellness centre, the Anjabowa Day Care, Job's Memorial Gardens, Chisasibi Telecommunications, and a modern 28-bed hospital administered by the Cree Board of Health and Social Services. The community is host to numerous regional offices, including the Educational Services of the Cree School Board and the Cree Board of Health and Social Services. There a many community owned and private business including restaurants, hardware and grocery stores, arts and craft store, two gas stations, a canoe repair shop, to name but a few. "Mamoweedow, a celebration of the past with an awareness of the future, is held on Fort George Island annually. A traditional Pow-wow is held with special dancers and guests to celebrate our traditional way of life. The Chisasibi Dance Competition is held at Job's Memorial Gardens with enthusiastic participation in this competition. We are proud of the accomplishments of our athletes, musicians, artists, poets and authors."1 The community is in the process of gathering historical documents, pictures and artifacts to establish and build a museum, a heritage and cultural center in community of Chisasibi. For information, visit the the web site of the Fort George Heritage and Cultural Centre project: www.chisasibiweeyouch.com. For information on cultural programs and activities, contact: Edward Tapiatic, Cultural coordinator. or Margaret Fireman Cree Nation of Chisasibi Chisasibi, QC Email: Fort George Heritage and Cultural Centre Project 1 Chief Violet Pachanos, GCC / CRA Annual Report, 1999-2000, p. 18. 
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