ᒫᒨᐊᐸᑎᓯᑖᐤ
Maamuuapatisitaau
ᒫᒧᐦᑭᐦᑖᐤ
Maamukkihtaau
Communities
Our aim is to evolve in harmony with the world around us, and particularly with the world that welcomes us. Together, we create projects that combine ancestral and contemporary knowledges, so that they are not only better and more sustainable, but also beneficial to all parties involved. This synergy, integrating ancestral knowledge with new practices, paves the way for a promising future. Together, we are working towards a future where mining development and community well-being coexist in perfect harmony.
Eeyou Istchee : Land of the Cree people
Located between the 49th and 55th parallels, Eeyou Istchee Baie-James is a vast region of boreal forest and taiga that represents nearly ⅕ of the province of Quebec. The region, over which the Regional Government of Eeyou Istchee Baie-James exercises authority, is made up of the Jamésie and the Cree traditional territory of Eeyou Istchee, whose name means “Land of the people, our territory” in the Cree language.
More than 20% of the territory is designated or reserved for protected areas by the Government of Quebec and the Cree Nation Government, in order to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem functions, including the maintenance of the Cree Nation’s traditional way of life.
The territory of Eeyou Istchee is made up of different categories of land, some public and others restricted to the exclusive usage of the Crees under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.
Although English or French are used by a majority of the Cree population, the Cree language, iiyiyuu ayimuun, is very much alive and spoken by the majority of the Cree population. The activities of the Cree Nation Government are conducted in the Cree language.
Projects and infrastructures belonging to Winsome are located on public land in the traditional territories of three Cree communities: :
Mistissini : Adina, Tilly et Sirmac-Clapier
Wemindji : Cancet
Chisasibi : Cancet and the Winsome Camp are located on the Transtaïga road
10
Communities shares the territory
5000
years perpetuating their way of life
20 000
members of the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee
Chibougamau : Jamésie's Hub
Located in the extreme southeast of the region, Chibougamau is the largest city in James Bay. Chibougamois (inhabitants of Chibougamau), who’s population is close to 8,000, mainly speak French. Once a mining camp, Chibougamau, whose original aboriginal name means “meeting place”, has since become the hub of the Jamésie region, combining nature and urbanity. Equipped with a regional airport and connected by a commercial rail network, Chibougamau is home to most of the region’s major service centers (schools, health and social services).
To learn more about the region, visit the following websites:
Cree Nation Government/Grand Council of the Crees
Our commitments
Winsome Resources is committed to producing minerals in harmony with, and with respect for, the land and the people who live there. We pledge to pursue the development of our relationship with the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee in a harmonious and sustainable manner, in a spirit of forward-looking collaboration with a constant search for mutual benefits. We are committed to work in partnership and responsibly, in accordance with the expectations and values of the communities that welcome us to the James Bay Eeyou Istchee territory where we operate.
Winsome is a company that takes charge of all its projects, from the first shovelful to mine closure and land reclamation. Because we work with communities over many years, we take responsibility for our commitments. That’s why we place transparency at the heart of every stage of our process.
This approach aims to build mutual trust between all parties involved, so that the legacy of our company is positive for both the environment and the communities.