Travel
FAQ's ...
Being a curious Canadian,
I have seen
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans from both
Canadian shores, but
never have I seen Canada's northern seacoast.
In 1999, while on a day trip into Quebec, I discovered that one can drive on a paved highway all the way to James Bay. The road goes north of Ottawa or Montreal and ends right on the shore of James Bay at Chisasibi.
In the summer year 2000, I decided to drive up
there -
Why? Just because ...
How We Got There
Joe's Trip Diary
Jeff Martin and Charlie Dowdell Visit to Chisasibi (2003)
David and Jay's Excellent Adventure - or, 62 hours in MINI, and loving it!
Driving to Chisasibi in the Winter
Build an Authentic Cree Teepee CD
Tips When Crossing the Canadian Border
Picture Slide Shows
Some Useful Links:
Learn more about the Crees of Chisasibi
Weather Radar for Quebec and James Bay Region
Road Conditions in Northern Quebec
The James Bay Northern Quebec Agreement
The James Bay Cree and Whitemen in the 20th Century
Air Lines
Air Creebec
Waasheshkun
Airways
Car Rental Agencies
International Airports
Ottawa International
Montreal Dorval
For Cultural Tourism Information
Chisasibi Mandow Agency
P.O. Box 720
Chisasibi, Quebec
Canada J0M 1E0
Telephone: (819) 855-3373
Fax: (819) 855-3374
Inquires:
Mandow Agency
Mandow Agency Web Site Update
tdc Web Site Design
Some Travel Questions and Answers (Updated June 24, 2005)
Where is the Mandow Agency in Chisasibi?
When you drive into Chisasibi, you will pass
a sign telling you that you are there. Keep driving until you come
to the road that has two churches. Turn right as the road passes between
the two churches. Drive up this road until you see the big teepee.
It will be on your right and can be seen from nearly anyplace in the
village. To the left of the big teepee there is a greenish looking
door. Go into this door and you will enter a hallway. To your
right there is another door and this leads you to the Mandow Agency
offices.
The office is open usually at 9.30 am until 5.00 pm weekdays. Stop in and
check with any of the staff on what there is to see and do in and around
Chisasibi. If the staff is not there, they are usually in the restaurant
having a coffee break.
How far is it to Chisasibi?
Driving distances
Montr�al to Matagami = 770 km (462 miles)
(via Provincial Highways # 15, 117, 111, 109)
Hull-Ottawa to Matagami = 673 km (403 miles)
(via Provincial Highways # 5, 105, 117, 111, 109)
Matagami to Radisson = 620 km (372 miles)
(via James Bay highway)
Radisson to Chisasibi = 90 km (54 miles)
Is the road paved all the way to Chisasibi?
Yes, the 696 km from Matagami to Chisasibi is a two lane
paved highway that one can safely set their cruise control to about 105 km/hour, sit
back and enjoy the changing
scenery. James Bay Road Details. The
road is paved right to the western outskirts of Chisasibi, then it is
gravel until you reach km 0. Km 0 is just about 100 metres from the
banks of the Grande River which empties into James Bay. Stand on the banks
of the river at this place which is very close to the Chisasbi airport and
look west - You can see James Bay!
To reach where the
natives launch their canoes on James Bay, you have to drive about 15
kilometers on a gravel road.
Is there a lot of traffic on the James Bay Road?
No, it is almost barren. In June 2002, on the
barren sections one would see a car about every 15 minutes. On our trip(2002)
in one day, we saw
perhaps 20 vehicles coming or going during the 700 km trip on the James Bay Road. As
one gets closer to Chisisabi, there is a little increase in traffic.
Once in Chisasibi, there is a lot of cars, trucks and people on the
roads. Please be careful driving there as there are a lot of
youngsters who are out just playing. Note that there are 900 children
who are attending school here.
According to the James Bay Municipality, in 1999 there were 9,748 vehicles and 27, 899
people attributed to tourism traffic. That is an average of only about 30 cars
per day.
What is the cost of gasoline at various municipalities
on the way to
Chisasibi?
In 2002, the following were the
prices for non natives.
At Matagami the price was 70.9 cents/litre, km 381 - .805 per litre, Radisson
-.85
cents/litre and in Chisasibi 75.6 cents per litre. To check out the current
price of gasoline at the Gas Is Essential
Site. This site tells you the current price of gas from Montreal or
Ottawa right up to Radisson Quebec.
Did you see the Northern
Lights?
Not really. When we were there the sun sets around
10.15 p.m. The sunset is brilliant with wisps of clouds and there is a
brilliant orange band on the horizon. After the sun sets there is enough light still
in the sky until a little past midnight to block even the viewing of stars. There is light
even at 4.00 a.m. I tried to stay awake after midnight to see if I could see the
lights, but I was too tired and fell asleep in my quest. We were told that they
had been seen the night before. If you want to see them in May, June or July be
prepared to stay up very late. Our guide told us that when they are brilliant, he can hear
them crackling in the clear cold artic air. If you want to see the
Northern Lights during the summer, you better be prepared to stay up to 1.00
- 2.00 am.
How much does it cost for accommodations?
Joe is a senior and we paid 10 % off the quoted price at
some places. Current accommodation prices will vary with the seasons and it is best
to check the current literature Baie-James Tourism Region or Tourism Quebec
for their current listings. Then call the accommodation to get a quote and
reservation.
What language do they speak in Chisasibi?
French, English and Cree ... most can speak all three languages
and can communicate really well.
Some people say that driving north is boring. Could you comment?
Prior to driving, I borrowed some fundamental geology books from
the local library to prepare me in a little way on what I was to see. I discovered
in my research that I was going to drive through an area where the rocks that were on the
surface of the ground were some of the oldest on earth (4.2 billion years).
I was going to see was the last traces of the retreat of the Wisconsin Ice age. Boring .... no way!..The scenery especially south of the 52nd parallel is at times spectacular especially where there are lakes, rivers and hills. As you drive farther north, the vegetation thins and the trees seem to get shorter. It is here that one can begin to see preArctic geographical conditions.
The Municipality of James Bay has a new travel brochure for people who are going to drive the James Bay Highway. It is a freebie when you drive into the stop station at km 6 in 2001. It provides interesting reading as well as a great background on what one will see on the highway.
On the road in June 2002, I saw a bear with one of her cubs, a moose, a
caribou and a fox holding one of its cubs in her mouth.
If you get bored, be aware that cars have been destroyed by moose. Watch out for them!
What was the weather like when you visited during the second
week of July?
The temperature was in the low 20 - 22 degrees C during the day
and at night it was down to about 16 degrees. The air was extremely dry and the sky
clear with wisps of some clouds in the stratosphere. Environment Canada
supplies a long term weather forecast
for James-Bay-and-la-Grande-Rivi�re.
Present Conditions and short term forecast for James-Bay-and-la-Grande-Rivi�re:
Chisasibi AccuWeather.com - 15 Day Weather Forecast
What does the word Chisasibi mean in
Cree?
Chisasibi is the Cree word that means
"Big River".
What is the best time of year to travel
by road to visit the Crees of
Chisasibi?
Mid June until mid September are the months that
the weather is much the same as southern Quebec; but a little cooler.
What emergency supplies and
equipment did you put in your car?
Two 20
litre gas cans full of gasoline, flashlights, matches, lighter, rope, string, tool
box, bug spray, 3 litres of 10W30 oil, Emergency HELP Car Window Sign, First
Aid Kit, Road Flares, Cell phone, GPS equipment, bug spray, bottled water, diet
Pepsi, diet ice tea..... Perhaps a little bit of overkill, but better be safe than sorry,
You mentioned in your diary that you were taken out on James Bay in a
motorized canoe, what type of clothing would be appropriate?
Prior to going
we were advised to bring hiking boots and rubber boots. The rubber boots were
so we could get out of the canoe without getting wet. It is cold on the Bay and
it is advisable to bring and wear a winter jacket. Also baseball caps, gloves or mittens,
sunglasses and blue jeans.
Will my cell
phone work in the James Bay Tourist Area?
No, prior
to going we checked with Bell Canada and was told that this service was only
available where there were populated areas. The last populated area where
cell phones worked was in and around Amos but not between Amos and Val Dor.
If my car breaks
down between Matagami and Radisson, how can
someone get help?
There are a
number of S.O.S. telephones along the route. These are spaced about 90 kilometers from
each other. If a person breaks down it is best that you flag down a car
and ask them to drive to the S.O.S. and ask for assistance. At kilometer 6 there is
office that handles all emergencies and is open 24 hours a day.
Telephones S.O.S. are public telephones. It is possible to use them for all
purposes. But it's not possible to use them without cash (0.25 $). The users
can also use them with a telephone card.
In case of emergency, peoples always can call the office of James Bay Municipality
in the (819) 739-4473. This office is open twenty four hours a day. They
accept expenses call only in cases of emergency.
Other Questions about the James Bay Highway
e-Mail Stephane McKenzie
Economic and Tourism Development Officer for Municipality of James Bay
What banks
are in Chisisabi?
Yes
there is a bank in Chisisabi it is a First Nations Bank and there is a C.I.B.C. Both banks
have ATM's. There is also a new TD Canada Trust ATM in the old
building arena.
Is there a place where you can buy groceries?
There are
three stores in the village. Prices on most items were the surprisingly much the same as
in the south. Most common grocery items are available, but don't look for exotic
vegetables such as shitaki mushrooms.
Can you fly to Chisasibi?
Yes, Air
Creebec flies up to this area on a regular basis. For detailed schedule information.
Air Creebec
Can you charter planes to fly you to the various camps?
Yes Waasheshkun
Airways operates in Mistissini and Air Wemindji in the James Bay
Region. Both provide float and ski plane services.
Can you fish while we are in the James Bay Tourist Region?
Non-residents
wishing to fish north of the 52nd parallel must use the services of an outfitter as stated
in the Quebec fishing regulations.
Other questions - please 
Background Native Music -
"Through Eagle Eyes"
from Wind Walker Music
Please
take a few minutes to participate
in our Tourism Survey
For Cultural Tourism Information
Chisasibi Mandow Agency
P.O. Box 720
Chisasibi, Quebec
Canada J0M 1E0
Telephone: (819) 855-3373
Fax: (819) 855-3374
Inquires: Mandow Agency
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