Mistissini and its people

The Crees of Mistissini have resided in the Mistassini Lake area since time immemorial. In the early 1800's, the community of Mistissini's actual location was just a summer encampment due to the establishment of the Hudson Bay Company fur trading post on sight. The North West Company and other fur traders were also in the vicinity and can be considered contenders in the fur trade with the Hudson Bay Company in those days.

Apart from Mistissini Crees they were neighbouring Cree hunting groups such as the Nitchequon, Neoskweskaau, and even some Nemaska people whom eventually came together to make up the Mistissini population in the 1930's. The government assistance began in the early 1940's providing food rations and eventually clothing allowance. It wasn't until the early 1960's that the government assistance was fully in place for the Mistissini Crees.

The James Bay Agreement was signed on November 11, 1975 giving the Crees of the region opportunity of further development in their respective communities. Progressing over the years in many ways the community of Mistissini has developed to what it is today.