Our Organization
Youth
Adultᐧᐄᒥᓂᒌ
Youth Education in Wemindji
Indigenous Peoples Day 2025
On June 21, 2025, the Cree School Board enthusiastically celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day. This day recognizes our ability to gather, learn, and flourish through the guidance of our Elders, as we celebrate our language, culture, traditions, and communities.
Grade 1: iiyiyiu/iinuu ayimitaau - We want to hear from you!
Studies show that knowing your own language and culture helps to build a strong identity and wellbeing. We know that student success, both academic and personal, is built on a strong sense of identity, which is linked to language and culture.
Cree Games 2025
The Cree School Board is honoured to announce the iinuu metawewinh Games 2025, taking place in Mistissini, iinuu aschii from March 25 to 27, 2025.
Upcoming Events
About Wemindji
Wemindji is a Cree community about 1,400 people at the mouth of the Maquatua River on the eastern shore of James Bay. The community is nestled on an inlet among the picturesque Painted Hills Islands. The name Wemindji comes from the Cree for "ochre hills" or wiimin uchii. The people of Wemindji relocated to the current site of the community in 1959 from their original home on Old Factory Island.
Community Links
- Wemindji Clinic
- Wemindji Public Safety: 819-978-7724
- Wemindji Tourism
- Power Outages near Wemindji
- Wemindji Weather
- Cree Nation of Wemindji Sports & Recreation
Emergency Contacts
- Medical Emergency: 819-978-0225 then dial 0
- Police: 819-978-0320
- Fire: 819-978-3911
History of Education in Wemindji
Maquatua School first opened its doors to students in 1973 under the name Wemindji Day School. In the late 1980’s a large addition was added to the original building. A local contest was held to rename the building. MaquatuaEeyou School was the winning entry and references the location of the school on the Maquatua River.
In 2016 Wemindi celebrated the opening of an elementary school to serve the student population from Pre-K to Grade 6 and so MaquatuaEeyou School now serves only secondary students.
Joy Ottereyes Rainbow Memorial School opened in August 2016, with an official inauguration in April of the following year.
The school was named after a Grade 6 student, Joy Ottereyes, who passed away suddenly in 2010 as the result of an allergic reaction. Joy would have graduated the year the school named for her opened. The "Rainbow" was added to the school's name because Joy loved rainbows and would often sign her name with a rainbow at the end of it.