Cree Nation of Chisasibi

Formerly the island community of Fort George, Chisasibi is one of the largest Cree coastal communities situated on the eastern coast of James Bay. The community and about 2,000 residents were relocated to the mainland between the years of 1978 to 1980. During relocation, over 200 houses were physically moved and renovated on the new site. Today, Chisasibi has a registered population of 4,465 members with 94% of the members living on reserve and 884 housing units including over 400 rental units and 100 individual homeowners.

Chisasibi has had an established loan program available to Cree beneficiaries of the JBNQA since 2007 for the purposes of financing or refinancing the purchase, construction or improvement of housing. Homeowner mortgages are combined with a Band Grant Program as an incentive to homeownership. Chisasibi issues a right of superficies for members to obtain the right to occupy First Nation lands which is good for 25 years and can be renewed as well as transferred.

In the past 3 years, Chisasibi has constructed 35 units destined for home ownership. Seven (7) of these units have been sold to the Cree Nation Government with the remaining units to be sold to members of the First Nation.

Chisasibi plans to utilize the Fund for future homeownership, rentals, homeowner renovations and multiplex units and apartments targeted at singles who have the ability to pay.

Members of Chisasibi are primarily employed by the Cree Nation of Chisasibi, Cree School Board and Cree Health Board. Chisasibi is also home to the Cree Regional Hospital and Cree Health Board Head Office which serves James Bay Cree communities. Economic and employment prospects for Chisasibi look favourable as the Chisasibi Business Development Group is actively involved in economic and employment projects and partnerships which will result in increased economic, employment and training opportunities over the next 5 years.

“Cree Nation of Chisasibi is proud to partner with the First Nations Market Housing Fund. A partnership that will foster and promote private homeownership, we believe is the way to go to alleviate the housing conditions we face as First Nations all over the country.” 
— Chief Davey Bobbish (December 2014)

Contact Information:

Robert Shem, Director of Housing
Cree Nation of Chisasibi
P.O. Box 150
Chisasibi, Québec
J0M 1E0
Phone: 819-855-2878 Ext. 320
Cell: 819-855-5827
Fax: 819-855-2875
Email: robertshem@chisasibi.ca
Website: http://www.chisasibi.org/