Community Profile
Geography
Location
Moose Factory is located near the mouth of the mighty Moose River on an island approximately 13 miles south from the southern tip of James Bay. The coordinates are as follows: 51 degrees North and 80 degrees West. It is 186 miles north of Cochrane Ontario. The closest urban centre is Timmins, Ontario. The neighbouring community is the town on Moosonee which is located on the mainland approximately three miles from Moose Factory.
Island Size
Moose Factory is three miles in length and two miles wide. The Island is approximately 1300 acres.
Accessibility
Via Moosonee the community is accessible by plane and train. AirCreebec provides the air services and Ontario Northland Transportation Commission offers the rail services. During the summer months, freighter canoes and Geemans (fibreglass boats) are the main modes of transportation between the mainland and the island; in the winter months, cars, trucks, and snow machines travel over the ice road. During freeze-up and break-up periods, the only means of transportation is by helicopter. Two to three private helicopter companies offer this service.
Ecology
Natural Environment
The James Bay Lowlands are flat and are underlain by sedimentary rocks, such as, limestone, dolomite, and shale. The extreme flatness of the terrain, the moisture holding quality of marine clay, and the presence of permafrost has resulted in poor drainage; thus, the lowlands are very waterlogged. The high banks of the river present a better drainage and the shelter provided by the banks permits the growth of trees such as black spruce and balsam popular.
Climate
The climate around Moose Factory is fairly warm during summer and cold dry winters. In the summer the temperatures range from 10°C (Degrees Celsius) to about 35°C (Degrees Celsius). At times the temperature can reach as high as 38 to 40 degrees. In the winter the temperature range is from -10 to about -40.
Aquatic Life
The aquatic life in the river system are mainly sturgeon, pike, pickerel, trout, whitefish, suckers, carp, seals and beluga whales, which are commonly seen during the fall season.
Wildlife
The most common types of wildlife in the surrounding area of Moose Factory are black bears, wolves, muskrat, fox, martin, moose, rabbits, and the occasional caribou. Waterfowl in this area commonly consist of Canada geese, blue geese, ducks, ospreys, eagles and various types of small birds.
Vegetation
The vegetation of Moose Factory consists of abundant grass, moss and shrubs, an open cover of black spruce-lichen woodland, and all characteristics of sub arctic forest.
Local Government
Moose Factory is presently under three separate jurisdictions. The largest area, the north end of the island, is the Indian Reserve and it is governed by the Moose Cree First Nation Council. Provincially-owned land is under the jurisdiction of the Moose Factory Local Services Board. National Health and Welfare Canada oversees the federal crowns land.
Mushkegowuk Council
The Mushkegowuk Council is a Tribal Council and a regional body which represents the following: Fort Albany First Nation, Kashechewan First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, Taykwa Tagamou First Nation, Chapleau Cree First Nation, Missinabi Cree First Nation and Moose Cree First Nation. For more information on Mushkegowuk Council, please visit: http://www.mushkegowuk.ca.
Population
The overall population of Moose Factory Island is approximately 2,700. The total Moose Cree membership as of December 31, 2005 is 3,798. The on-reserve population is 1,606 and the off-reserve population is 2,192.
Economy
The economy of Moose Factory as a whole is made up of five (5) main sectors and they are as follows:
- Public Service: i.e. Moose Cree First Nation, Federal & Provincial government
- Tourism/Hospitality – Transportation & guiding
- Construction - Houses, infrastructure
- Bush economy i.e. hunting, harvesting, trapping, gathering.
- Private Sector - Micro Businesses/Cottage Industry
Moose Cree First Nation Workforce
As of September 1, 2006, there are 195 on-reserve members who are of working age that are unemployed and on social assistance. However, employment is much higher during the summer months due to seasonal jobs such as tree planting, the construction of houses, and the guiding and transporting of tourists.
Financial
The MCFN operates two (2) Automated Teller Machines (ATM’s) for instant cash withdrawals. One ATM is located in the Moose Cree Community Complex and the second ATM is located at the Weeneebayko General Hospital. The ATM’s are managed through the Economic Development Department.
Transportation
In the summer, the main modes of transportation on the island’s gravel roads are cars, trucks, vans, all-terrain vehicles and bicycles. During the winter, snow machines, cars, and trucks are the main mode of transportation. A large barge/ferry operated by Moose Band Development Corporation is available during the summer, spring and fall to transport various bulk freight, machinery, heavy equipment and vehicles to Moose Factory Island.
Communications
Television
A cable system is available on the island, it is jointly operated by Moose Band Development Corporation and MoCreeBec. Currently there are 36 channels on the air. There is also one local community channel, which is aired by Wawatay Native Communications Society. The satellite ANIK transmits all channels.
Radio
The community receives three stations on air, they are CBC, CHMO, and WAWATAY. CHMO radio station (headquarters) is located in Moosonee with a sub-studio in Moose Factory. It is operated by the James Bay Broadcasting Corporation. It is on the air from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., each day. Wawatay is a community radio station operating on a part-time basis. In addition, other FM channels can be heard via satellite.
Telephone
Approximately 95% of the residents of Moose Factory have telephones in their homes. The service provider is Ontario Northland Telecommunications.
Mail Service
The Post Office, Canada Post Corporation, is located on-Reserve within the Moose Cree Complex. The mail is delivered to the Post Office 6 days a week by a local contractor following its arrival by train and air plane to Moosonee. Currently, a majority of the local population utilizes the mailbox service and approximately 49 individuals/households utilize general delivery service. At present there are five (5) staff employed; 2 full-time, 1 part-time and 2 term employees.
Public Utilities
Electricity
Hydro One Networks is the service provider. There are three employees servicing the community.
Water System
In 2001, MCFN took over the operation of the water plant from National Health and Welfare. The water is obtained from the river and transferred to a clarifier to which alum and silica are added, then passed through sand and anthracite filters to clean well for chlorination. The water plant is located off-reserve beside the hospital and an expansion of this facility was completed in late fall of 1994. Each jurisdiction, Moose Cree First Nation, Moose Factory Local Services Board and National Health and Welfare Canada maintain their respective water mains.
Sewage and Sanitation
This program mainly consists of the sewage and the sanitation system. The Moose Cree First Nation has completed a sewage system in 1987. It consists of a sewer collection and a lagoon aeration system which serves all three jurisdictions. The Moose Cree First Nation also operates the Sanitation system. Garbage is collected once a week and is disposed in a landfill site. Moose Cree First Nation Sanitation maintains the landfill site, located north of the reserve residential area. All organizations and community members are charged a service fee by Moose Cree First Nation. Plans are in review to look at other options of garbage disposal. At present, the Public Works department employs five (5) permanent employees and six (6) casual workers.
Fire Protection
The fire hall is located off-Reserve on the federal compound. There are 26 volunteer fire fighters. There are 33 fire hydrants located in various areas on the reserve along with 55 fire hydrants located on the federal compound and the local services board jurisdiction. The equipment consists of 2 fire trucks which are fully equipped and protected suits are available to all fire fighters. The Fire Protection component of Moose Cree First Nation conducts on-going programs with businesses and organizations to promote fire safety.
Health & Social Services
Weeneebayko General Hospital
Visit the Weeneebayko General Hospital website for more information, at http://www.wha.on.ca.
Moose Factory Public Health
Located within the Moose Cree Complex the Moose Factory Public Health Centre provides programs, services and clinics to aide the community to achieve and maintain an optimum level of health. Some services provided by the health centre are immunizations, well baby clinics, and the Elderly Health Program. Also closely involved with the health centre are two Community Health Representatives. Presently, 6 employees staff the centre.
Awashishuk Centre
The Awashishuk Centre, was at one time a "Group Home", it is now owned and operated by Payukotayno: James and Hudson Bay Family Services. The facility is a correctional centre for youth offenders or for children subject to child abuse. The Awashishuk Centre can accommodate up to 7 children between the ages of 12-15. The Awashishuk Centre also serves as the Corporate Head Office for Payukotayno, a regional agency that services all the coastal communities along the James Bay coast.
Health Services Counseling
The Moose Cree First Nation operates this program with funding by Health and Welfare Canada - Medical Services Branch. The Health Services Counseling Program works closely with other various social services agencies within the community. Presently, there are twenty-four (24) people employed with Health Services and it is growing rapidly.
Moose Cree Healing Centre (Formerly Keeywatinook Alcohol Abuse Program)
The program was established in the early seventies under the auspices of a volunteer Board of Directors. The office is centrally located on-Reserve. The Moose Cree Healing Centre employs a staff of 6, permanent and casual. This program provides counseling services to the whole community and works in conjunction with the Shagastawow Healing Lodge in Moosonee, Ontario.
Law Enforcement Agencies
Nishnabwe Aski Police Services
The transfer of trained Native Constables made it possible to form a local on-reserve police service, under the auspices of the Moose Cree First Nation. The service presently has two vehicles which are fully equipped.
There are eight (8) constables which service the whole community of Moose Factory. The office in Moose Factory serves as a detachment office. Its Head Office is located in the town of Cochrane, Ontario.
Provincial Court
Provincial court is held once a month in Moosonee. His Honour J.H. Caldbick is the presiding judge who is flown into Moosonee once a month for three and a half day stay every second Tuesday of each month. Normally Wednesdays is the "Youth Court" when all cases dealing with young offenders are dealt with. Tuesday afternoons and Thursdays are "Adult Court" days when all adult cases are dealt with. Friday is "Family Court" when all family cases are dealt with.
Probation Officers
There is a designated probation officer for the community of Moose Factory, stationed in Moosonee. He/she visits the community once a month on Wednesdays at the Moose Factory Cable Office.
Keewaytinook Legal Services
A designated lawyer is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week at the Moose Cree Complex. All organizations, community members or business may set appointments to inquire on legal matters.
Education & Child Care
Elementary
The Moose Factory Ministik School is located off-Reserve. The provincial government operates the school in conjunction with the Moose Factory Island District Area School Board.
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The Ministik School's funding comes from the federal government, through tuition agreements with the Moose Cree First Nation, which represents two-thirds (2/3) of the yearly funding and the provincial government, through the Ministry of Education, which represents the other one-third (1/3) of the yearly funding. The construction of the school was completed in 1984 and was opened in September 1984. Since then, two additional buildings were constructed to accommodate the increase in enrollment. The school has 15 regular classes and 3 language classes, a library, and a gymnasium. The enrolment of students as of September 1, 2006 is 371, from Junior Kindergarten to grade 8. The average students per classroom are 20 students per class. There are 42 employees on staff at the school.
The Moose Factory Academy of Christian Education is located off-Reserve. It accommodates students from Junior Kindergarten to grade six.
Secondary
Moose Cree First Nation secondary students now attend high school on-Reserve. Delores D. Echum Composite School accommodates students from Grade 7 to Grade 12.
Off-reserve secondary students attend high school in Moosonee at Northern Lights Secondary School, or they may attend high school in other southern towns/cities.
Post-Secondary/University
Students from Moose Factory can attend school at the James Bay Education Centre (JBEC) Campus of Northern College in Moosonee or choose to seek a post-secondary/university education in other towns/cities. They can also attend the Chief Munroe Linklater Education Centre. This facility offers various post-secondary courses.
Small Steps Child Care Services
The Day Care is located in the Moose Cree Complex. It can accommodate 55 children 18 months to 5 years. The day care is open 5 days per week from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The daycare program is operated and administered by the Moose Cree Education Authority.
Adult Learning Centre
In 1995, the Moose Cree Education Authority constructed and began operating an adult education facility, the Chief Munroe Linklater Education Centre, on-Reserve. This facility became fully operational by June 1995. Occasionally, Northern College delivers programs relating to community development, apprenticeship and basic skills training.
Religion
Denominations
There are four (4) churches on the island of Moose Factory, which are the St. Thomas Anglican Church, the Moose Factory Pentecostal Church, New Life Assembly, and the Cree Gospel Chapel.
Church St. Thomas Anglican Church
The Sweet Grass Road@, traditional spiritual teachings of our ancestors, is also become more prominent in the community.
Facilities
The Anglican Church Women (ACW) operates the St. Thomas Parish Hall. There are various activities held at the Parish Hall such as Sunday School, ACW meetings, Bible Study, Confirmation Classes, Family meals day. During the summer months, tourist season, the Parish Hall serves meals and houses local vendors of native crafts. The Parish Hall is available for rent to anyone.
Housing
Moose Cree First Nation
Presently there is a housing shortage on-reserve. There are currently 316 houses which consist of 226 status quo (no basements) units and 90 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) units. Construction of houses for the 1994/95 season added 10 more homes to the numbers indicated. Chief and Council have shown a keen interest in upgrading the housing on-Reserve, provisions for new housing, and the elimination of substandard homes. Renovations are done to approximately 10 existing units each year to bring them up to a minimum standard of living. There is an average of 4 rooms per house with an average of 5 people per house. The most common type of heating in the residential homes are electric heat, oil, and wood.
Mocreebec Non-Profit Housing
Currently, there are 34 Provincial units, under the Non-profit housing program. MoCreebec maintains ten (10) duplexes and twenty (20) single units. Most of the units off-Reserve are privately owned or under a program of C.M.H.C.
Moose Factory Island District School Board
Presently, the M.F.I.D.S.B provides housing for the Ministik School teachers. It presently owns and maintains several single housing units, a triplex and a two-storey apartment building.
Weenebayko General Hospital - National Health & Welfare Canada
Accommodations are made available to all out-of-town medical staff employed by the hospital, including the administration staff. The remaining units are made available for rent to any employee associated with the delivery of medical services. The hospital owns close to 50 single units off-Reserve, plus two (2) large apartment buildings.
Retail Outlets
Northern
Northern, located in the Moose Cree complex, mainly sells groceries, clothing, hardware and souvenirs. It also serves as a local bank by providing cheque-cashing services, no-interest bearing savings accounts, and debit-card automated teller withdrawals. Produce, meat, and dry goods are brought in by train, via Moosonee, once a week. The Northern store employs approximately 32 people.
In addition to Northern, Northern Convenience was established off-Reserve at the former location of the Northern Stores. Northern Convenience normally sells frozen and dry foods, gas and oil, magazines, sundries, furniture, appliances and video rentals. In early March 1995, Northern Convenience was renamed to Quick-Stop. It presently facilitates both a Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken Express food service. It's 80-seat capacity fast food restaurant and take-out service was opened in March 1995.
G.G.'s Corner and Gift Shop
G.G.'s is privately owned by Donald Faries. This store, located at the very south end of the reserve, sells grocery items, confections, hunting gear, hardware, clothing, toys, household and decorations. It also provides a wide selection of video movie rentals.
Repairs
Bob's Gun & Repair Shop
This shop located in the owner's lot, off-Reserve, is privately owned by Robert T. Chilton. Robert makes repairs to all types of firearms and also sells new and used firearms, ammunition, etc. Bob's Gun & Repair Shop was opened in March 1989.
Xerox Repairs
A Contract Representative, John Tomatuk, serves as a Xerox Technician who services all types of Xerox photocopiers, memory writers, and fax machines in the Moose Factory and Moosonee area.
Accommodations
Cree Village Eco-lodge
Located off-Reserve this modern facility includes twenty guest rooms as well as the landmark Shabatwon Great Hall which is modeled on traditional Cree winter dwellings. The Shabatwon provides dining for sixty people and overlooks the beautiful Moose River. The design and development of the Ecolodge was guided by community members in accordance with traditional values and with a focus on Cree culture and ecological sustainability. http://www.creevillage.com.
Other Points of Interests
Moose Factory Centennial Museum
The Moose Factory Centennial Museum was opened in 1967. It is usually closed during the winter months and opened during the summer months as a tourist attraction. Types of displays in the museum are old maps, furs, and other local Indian artifacts. Another part of the museum is the old Hudson Bay Staff House, which was built in the early 1700s. This house was a residence for staff employed by the Hudson's Bay Company (H.B.C.) who came from places other than Moose Factory.
Cree Culture Interpretive Centre
The Moose Cree First Nation has established a culturally relevant tourist attraction on-Reserve. The Interpretive Center consists of indoor and outdoor exhibits. The indoor exhibits include of bone tools, traditional toys, furs etc. The outdoor exhibits comprise of traditional dwellings from the pre-European early contacts and contemporary nomadic dwellings. Each era is represented in three separate sections. The outdoor exhibits are located within a palisade.