Oujé-Bougoumou : The Cultural Village

Oujé-Bougoumou is Cree for "the place where people gather," which is also an accurate description of our Cultural Village. We built the Cultural Village to serve as a hub of social, educational, and ceremonial activities, such as the walking-out ceremony, a traditional coming-of-age celebration for Cree children. It's a place where you can learn the art of our handicrafts, and perhaps even fashion your own moccasins or snowshoes. You can sample a variety of traditional dishes, as well as watch as they're being prepared. You can sit around the campfire to listen to the teachings of the village medicine woman and the timeless tales of the elders. And then, you can take the legends and lessons into the dream-world with a restful night in an authentic astchiiugamikw, a tepee-like structure, heated by a stone pit fire, and insulated with moss, which keeps it remarkably warm even in the depths of winter.

Housing is another unique feature of the Cultural Village. In fact, as you enter, you will pass by a series of structures that show the evolution of Cree housing, from the most ancient style to modern influences.