La Grande Rivière

History

The river district has long been inhabited by Cree, such as the Cree Nation of Chisasibi, whose traditional territory stretches along its banks and tributaries. In 1803, the establishment of a fur-trade post at the river mouth marked the origins of the modern Indigenous settlement of Fort George. For many years, the river too was called Fort George.

Hydroelectricity

During the 1970s, La Grande Rivière was transformed by the James Bay Project, a scheme to divert major rivers flowing into eastern James Bay for hydroelectric development. Phase one involved building huge dams on the La Grande and flooding low-lying areas to create reservoirs. This project allows for the pollution-free production of a significant portion of Quebec’s electricity. However, the project also profoundly disrupted the environment and the Indigenous communities living in the region, the effects of which are still being felt today.