At the mouth of the Maquatua River lies Wemindji - painted mountains -. The name originates from the ochre found in the hills. This ochre was mixed with grease to make paint. This small community, once located on an island on Vieux-Comptoir River, was also called Paint Hills, Old Factory and Vieux-Comptoir. Around 1686, the Compagnie du Nord and French Knight Pierre de Troyes deployed soldiers in the area and managed to dislodge the English from the HBC and take control of the bay for a short time. In 1935, the HBC opened a new trading post. In 1959, the village was moved toward the coast where overall conditions were more favourable.

For more information, please visit the Grand Council of the Crees.


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