The Attikamek people: 

The Attikamek are of the Algonquin tribe. There are more than 6200 members living in the northern regions of de Lanaudiere and the Haute Mauricie.  There are three Attikamek communities, Obedjiwan, who live north of the Gouin reservoir, the Wemotaci which borders the St-Mauricie River and Manouane just north of Saint Michel des Saints.  

The name Attikamek means, the white fish people. When we speak of white fish, we speak of coregone which is a scaly fish, similar to the salmon or trout species, which swim in numerous lakes in this region. It was once the base of nutrition of the Attikamek. This fish which is very difficult to catch with a fishing line, were long ago caught in fishing nets. The pink and succulent flesh is compared to that of the trout. The Attikamek smoke or dry the fish in order to make provisions for the long winter months. They also feed upon beaver, moose and small game as well as the porcupine. In good seasons, the hunt was part of their way of life.  

The complete population speaks Attikamek and use French as a second language. These pacific people disappeared in the 17 century following an epidemic and hostile tribal attacks, battling for the furs. In the 20 century the Attikamek were affected by abusive territorial exploitation with the beginning of the wood mills, steam trains and construction of the dams that flooded their lands. Their existence centered on hunting, fishing, trapping and small fruit picking.  

The Attikamek were known as nomads and their territory covered the whole of the Haute Mauricie region. Regional dwellings were based on the existence of family territory. The Attikamek once lived a good part of the year on their hunting grounds. They would have hunted on their respective family territories however, fishing and fruit picking could be done on all territories. They respected the environment. According to their tradition, the preservation of resources was very important in view of long term existence on the territory. It was common practice to withdraw from a territory for a while in order to avoid the disappearance of vegetation and animal species. 

In 1837 missionaries arrived at the Haute Mauricie and the Saint-Mauricie mission welcomed the Manouane families. In 1850 forestry companies became interested in the Manouane area and in 1865 many work yards appeared along the Manouane River. In 1871 a treatment post was established in Manouane and 2 years later the steamboat towed logs to forestry companies in Lake Kempt. It was on August 26, 1906 that the Manouane community was created. 

From 1908 to 1941 the construction of dams by the Shawinigan Water and Power Corporation, transformed the territory that the Attikamek depended upon. In 1973 a road was built between Manouane and Saint-Michel-des-Saints allowing the community access to the outside world.  

Before, it was not unusual to see families canoeing up the water to gain their hunting grounds. Today these territories are occasionally used and the Attikamek have settled. Between modernization and satellite communications as well as internet access, many amongst them study in universities or are professionals.  

These days they claim land with the government. In general, there is a good understanding and feelings between the Attikamek and the white population in the Lanaudiere and Haute-Mauricie regions.

Today a large part of their territory is dirty and ransacked. Many animals and vegetations will probably disappear in the next decade if the local natives, as well as the whites and governments, continue to put a blind eye to the numerous environmental problems that these regions are affected by.  

The numerous causes are: the cutting of the forests, poaching, the abusive exploitations of different animal species and vegetation created through hunting and fishing, the uncontrolled number of chalets and the increasing number of mega outfitters as well as tourist recreational centers and outdoor dumps, all are presently threatening the Attikamek territory.  

A general wake up call is needed to stop the degradation of the land. Believe me; we are far from this awareness. I would go so far as saying that some do not even want to hear about this issue because they risk annihilating regional economy and famous development project, created and sought after by our governments in order for them to exploit and make money with the resources.  

By all cost, the environment and the land have to keep the coffers of the Treasury full. It has become a flourishing business to abusively exploit the land and our governments clearly recognize and exploit it.