Text : Randy Kapashesit, Photos : Paul Lantz
After many years of critical reflection on the impact of tourism and the future prospects of the tourism industry in this sub-Arctic region, tourism from an Indigenous perspective resulted in the emergence of the Cree Village Ecolodge. Our approach has been to reflect positively in design and experience, the cultural values and ethic of the Eeyou (our word for "Cree" meaning person) Nation. Our culture is alive in the present and is recognizable in the modern era.
Based on Moose Factory island, our twenty-room lodge and sixty-six seat restaurant is a blend of ecological principles within a Cree cultural filter. With wood as the dominant material, pine, cedar and hickory are utilized throughout. The wall paints are environmentally-rated. The carpet throughout is a natural wool carpet. The beds, sheets and pillows are organic cotton and blankets are natural wool. The toilets are all low flush or composting toilets.
In operation since July 2000, the MoCreebec people are seeking to provide a cultural hospitality and ecological experience that helps to establish ecotourism as a viable example of sustainable development. Our community owns and operates the lodge and we seek to provide employment opportunities to those that embrace our goals and want to contribute to the ability of the Cree Village Ecolodge to be a world class facility, experience, and reflection of cultural and biological diversity of the natural world.
It is critical to realize that most expressions of development impacting Indigenous people are usually the result of natural resource extraction economies. Our initiative of the Ecolodge is based on having a limited impact on the land and an example of responsible tourism accountable to Indigenous people and the natural world. We believe it is possible to engage ourselves and our visitors in a modern dialogue that challenges us all to see our relationship with each other and the natural world in a different light. The Ecolodge facilitates and encourages this way of thinking.
Activities :
Working with independent Cree operators to help customize tours for our visitors, activities include summer and winter camping, bird-watching, whale watching, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, star gazing, nature and river tours, kayaking, canoeing and cultural tours.
Weather and tide permitting, two of our river tours are :
Sunset Boat Tour is a tour of the inland waterways of the Moose River overlooking the crimson sunset of the James Bay sky.
James Bay River Tour is a three-hour excursion beginning on the tidal Moose River and out to the saltwaters of the bay. Our guides reveal the history and scenery of this watershed, its land and its people.
Addresses :
Greg Williams, Manager, Cree Village Ecolodge
P.O. 730
Moose Factory, Ontario, P0L 1W0, CANADA
Telephone : 705-658-6400, Fax : 705-658-6401
Randy Kapashesit, Chief, MoCreebec Council of the Cree Nation
P.O. Box 4
Moose Factory, Ontario, P0L 1W0, CANADA
Telephone : 705-658-4769, Fax : 705-658-4487
Email Contacts :
randyk@mocreebec.com for mocreebec and ecolodge general information or enquiries.
greg.williams@creevillage.com or updates@creevillage.com for ecolodge general information.
frontdesk@creevillage.com for reservations at the cree village ecolodge.
Website Addresses :
http://www.creevillage.com
http://www.mocreebec.com