Our Organization
Youth
Adultᐧᐄᒥᓂᒌ
Youth Education in Wemindji
Stronger Together Symposium Supports Families of Children with Special Needs
The Cree School Board, together with parents and guardians of children and adults with special needs, came together once again on December 3-4, 2025 to host the Stronger Together Symposium. Guided by the vision of becoming ᒫᒨ ᒪᔥᑰᑳᐴᐦᑖᐤ, Stronger Together, the event created a safe and welcoming space for families to learn, connect, and build lasting support networks.
50th Anniversary of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement
Celebrating our iiyiyiu chiskutimaachaawin
On November 11, 2025, the Cree School Board honors and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA)!
Cree School Board Highlights 2024-2025
This year was marked by milestones that celebrate Cree language, culture, and educational success across iiyiyiu aschii. From the 3rd Language and Culture Symposium and the return of Cree language to Grade 1 classrooms, to vibrant events like the iinuu metawewinh Games and the Quebec Indigenous Science Fair, the Cree School Board continued to strengthen identity and learning. We also saw progress in teacher recruitment, adult education, and higher learning programs, alongside inspiring youth leadership initiatives. These highlights reflect our commitment to culturally grounded education and the empowerment of every learner.
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.