Eastmain (Quebec French pronunciation: [iːstmẽɪ̯̃]; Cree: ᐄᔅᒣᐃᓐ/Îsmein) is a Cree community located on east coast of James Bay at the mouth of the Eastmain River, Quebec, Canada. It is a small coastal Cree village with a population of 924 people in the 2021 Canadian Census up from 866 people at the 2016 Canadian Census.[1] Its alternate Cree name is ᐙᐸᓅᑖᐤ/Wâpanûtâw, meaning Lands east of James Bay.
Eastmain is accessible by air (Eastmain River Airport) and by car over a gravel road linking it to the James Bay Road.
The Eastmain community was greatly affected by the James Bay Project, which in 1980 diverted 90% of the Eastmain River to the La Grande River.
Like the other coastal villages on Hudson and James Bay, Eastmain was settled around a Hudson's Bay Company trading post, which was originally called East Main House. Some Cree settled there for ease in trading.
As of May 2022, the nation counted 943 members, of which 830 persons lived in the Community.[5] there were 223 private dwellings that are occupied by usual residents, out of a total of 280.[6] The mother tongue of the residents is:[7]
Eastmain has a subarctic climate (Dfc), typical of communities along the eastern shore of the James Bay. Summers are mild and rainy, with mild days and cool nights. Winters are cold with extremely heavy annual snowfall, averaging 261.3 cm (102.9 in).