Washow James Bay Wilderness Lodge
Introduction
The Wa-sh-ow James Bay Wilderness Centre will be a world-class, Aboriginal tourism wilderness destination. Wa-sh-ow's brand of Aboriginal tourism is predicted upon the hospitality and guidance of the highly skilled and knowledgeable traditional caretakers of the area. These are the Omushkegowuk, the Cree dwellers of the James and Hudson Bay Lowlands.
The Centre is being developed by Moose Cree First Nation and, in particular, by the Moose Cree families who have traditional ties of intimacy with, and stewardship for, the Hannah Bay watershed region.
Please visit http://www.washow.ca for additional information.
Location
The Wa-sh-ow site is located at Hannah Bay, 10 km upstream from where the Harricanaw River flows into the James Bay in Northern Ontario. Visitors will be able to reach the Centre by a variety of travel modes, each one providing an adventure in itself.
During summer months, guests may travel to Wa-sh-ow by paddling down the Harricanaw, Kesagami or Katawagami Rivers, or by freighter canoe from Moose Factory located 75 km to the west, a 2.5 - 3 hour trip across James Bay. In winter, the Centre can be reached by skis, snowmobile, float plane or dogsled. During the fall freeze-up and spring break-up access is by helicopter only.
The Centre may also be accessed from Washkaganish, Quebec, which is 85 km Northeast of Hannah Bay.
The Lodge
Wa-sh-ow Lodge will be constructed using a traditional Cree vertical log building technique, and will use logs harvested locally by community members. The lodge will provide year-round accommodations, meals and a gathering space.
The 4200 sq.ft. Main Lodge is uniquely designed to depict a bird with outstretched wings. The wings of the bird will offer six (6) quest rooms, accommodating up to twenty-two (22) quests. Five of the six rooms will have two queen size beds and the sixth will be the suite with the single king size bed. The adjacent 1/2 circular shaped West Lodge will accommodate an additional twelve (12) guests in (6) guest rooms for a total capacity of thirty-four (34) at the base camp.
The main building will have various ecolodge features designed with the objective of making the facility self-sufficient in terms of design, and use of renewable energy usage and waste management. This will be achieved through an energy efficient design, and use of renewable energy sources such as wood, solar and wind. In addition, the architectural design of the Main Lodge and the West Lodge will aim to reflect the unique culture and environment of the area.
Traditional Villages
In addition to the Main Lodge site, three traditional Villages will be constructed in three different areas up the Harricanaw River. The villages will be located according to traditional criteria. Each site will be designed to demonstrate to guests, and engage them in, the traditional ways of life as they were (and are) practiced by the Cree people of this area during pre-European contact, post-European contact and present times. A trip back in time is the theme for the tour of the villages.
Programs and Services
In harmony with nature and the lifestyle of the James Bay Crees, culturally-oriented activities will vary from season to season. Guests will partake in activities which will consist of, but not limited to, tours of traplines, as the law permits, observation and/or participation in traditional harvesting practices, preparation of customary foods in a traditional manner from raw stage to table ready, participation in all forms of day to day camp life.
The Lodge will also cater to the existing demand among local organizations and businesses for retreat and conference services, as well as pursue similar markets outside the region.
Youth programs are in development for the purpose of instilling and preserving the heritage, culture and traditional skills many of our young people will lose in today's ever-changing world of technologies. The youth are more apt to watch television, play video games and listen to music rather than learn about their own traditional lifestyles.
Underprivileged youth is another concern amongst our members. Children who come from a single parent environment may not have the chance to go out on the land to learn the traditional skills.
The developers have a special interest in pursuing a role for Wa-sh-ow as a centre for cultural recovery and strengthening, by offering its services to community social organizations, and hosting such activities as cultural retreats for elders and youth, as well as other education and training initiatives.