Manawan, Quebec

Manawan ( Engl.: Where gull eggs collected; Manouane to 1991 ) is a Atikamekw reserve in Quebec, Canada. It is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Metapeckeka. Four and a half hours away from the big cities of Montreal and Quebec, performs a 86 km long forest road from Saint -Michel- des Saints in the community of the First Nation. With 2,400 inhabitants (as of 2013) it is the second largest reserve of the nation's Atikamekw. Native language of most residents is Atikamekw. The second language of the community is French.

Geography

Manawan is located west of La Tuque and north of Saint- Michel-des -Saints. Located on the southwestern shore of the lake Metapeckeka, it belongs to the region of the Canadian province of Quebec Lanaudière. Administratively, the reserve of the Atikamekw First Nation is surrounded by four non- indigenous regions: Lanaudière, Mauricie, Haute- Mauricie and Hautes- Laurentides.

History

The squaws reserve was established on 29 August 1906. Prior to the establishment of the reserve, the site of today Manawans Metapeckeka called ( Engl.: Where the Moor arrives ). Due to the proximity to the hunting area, it was an important meeting place for the Atikamekw before 1884. For decades, rejected the squaws of Manawan to move to provided for them by the Canadian government reserves. After numerous negotiations by correspondence with the Government and travel to Ottawa ( in a birch bark canoe ) reached the Atikamekw of Metapeckeka that they could claim their territory for themselves. At the beginning of the 20th century the village Metapeckeka, which was lower than the present Manawan was flooded. The reason was the construction of dams on Lake Kempt.

Flora and Fauna

The construction of the dams in 1908, the river was dammed Manawan and many animals that lived on this river (eg beavers and muskrats ) died. There forests were cut down and the wood could now be transported on waterways. These dams, deforestation, construction of railway lines, the noise of saws and the floating of timber led to the natural environment of the reserve changed: The plant diversity decreased, the waters were polluted, the usual hunting grounds were disturbed and recreational hunters and - angler came in large numbers in the territory of the Atikamekw. Today, flora and fauna have recovered despite the changed environment. Manawan is surrounded by mixed forests. The most common tree species are maple, birch, spruce and fir. It grow different kinds of berries, including wild strawberries, blueberries, cranberries and raspberries. In the forests and lakes around Manawan there are different mammal, bird and fish species. The first group includes, for example, Moose, beaver, muskrat, fox, hare, otter and other marten species, marmots and porcupines. Frequently occurring fish species are Canadian walleye, walleye, lake trout American, whitefish and other species of salmon and pike.

Culture

See Culture of the Atikamekw

Manawan is home to the famous powwow drum group the " Black Bear Singers".