Our names are David and Anna Bosum.  We are the owners and operators of Nuuchimi Wiinuu Cultural tours.  We welcome your interest in the Cree community of Oujé-Bougoumou, and invite you to join us on a fascinating adventure and cultural experience.  We offer snowshoe and dog-sledding adventures in the winter, and river and lake canoe trips in the summer.  We offer specific five (5) and eight (8) day winter packages and five (5) and seven (7) day summer experiences.  We would also be pleased to design customized trips of varying lengths to suit your specific touring interests.

All our excursions begin and end at the Cree community of Oujé-Bougoumou where you will be given a tour of both the modern and traditional villages.  In Oujé-Bougoumou (the name means "Place where the people gather"), you will see a unique heating plant which reflects the Cree tradition of conservation, fed by waste sawdust: it sends out heat to every building in the village via underground pipes.  You will see buildings that combine a traditional astchiiugamikw (tepee) style with modern architecture.  You will hear of our struggle to build the community and learn why we won a United Nations award for excellence.

While in the village, you will be staying in a traditional dwelling in our cultural village where you will be warmed by a crackling fire and lulled to sleep by the fragrance of spruce boughs.  Or, if you prefer, for a little extra, you have the option of staying at the Community's comfortable, fully equipped Capissisit Lodge.  In the bush, you'll be staying in a heated canvas tent with a spruce bough floor that will give you all the warmth and comfort of a small cabin.

During your journey, you will learn about our special relationship with the land.  Living close to this land, we tend to think of it as a living entity - something that can be hurt if we don't treat it well.  So we take what we need from it and leave the rest to grow and flourish for our grandchildren.  A visit to one of our camps offers an intimate window to our way of life where you will be introduced to traditional skills, practices, past times, medicines and stories.

So please join us for an experience of a lifetime.  A trip that includes education, adventure, and a sense of history…a trip you will not soon forget.  Cree hospitality is legendary.  Visit us in Oujé-Bougoumou and experience it.  Let our way of life become your way of life for a few days, a week or even longer.  Have a look at the accompanying trip descriptions and reserve your place by contacting us directly.

Those who notified us they will be arriving by plane will be met at the Chibougamau Airport and driven to the cultural village.  Those driving here can drive right to Oujé-Bougoumou.  Your first evening will be spent in the cultural village in Oujé-Bougoumou.  Here you will formally meet the other members of your trip and be treated to a meal of traditional food.  While in the village, you will be staying in an eenougamuk (traditional dwelling) where you will be warmed by a crackling fire and lulled to sleep by the fragrance of spruce boughs.  Or, if you prefer, for a slight surcharge, you have the option of staying at the Community's comfortable and fully equipped Capissisit Lodge.

The next morning, after breakfast at Capissisit Lodge, you will be taken onto the land and, in winter, onto the frozen lake.  We will be using snowshoes to travel the way our ancestors did.  But we will be accompanied by dogsleds and snowmobiles, so you can take a break along the way.  In the bush, you'll be staying in a heated canvas with a spruce bough floor that will give you all the warmth and comfort of a small cabin.  You will spend two nights here so there will be plenty of time to learn new skills and try snowshoeing, dog sledding, traditional cooking, sewing, craft making and much more.

On the third full day of the trip, you will move to an island in Opemiska Lake, set up camp where you will check fish nets, continue being shown various traditional skills and practices, and take part in more winter time fun activities.

Day Four takes you back to Oujé-Bougoumou.  As with all of the days, the journey is a major part of the experience.  Along the way, you experience how we traveled; you get an intimate introduction to the land and a deeper understanding of how we live in harmony with our surroundings.  In the evening, it's back to the village and your eenougamuk, or to your room at the Lodge.

Day Five - Departure: After a breakfast at the Lodge, you will have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the award-winning community of Oujé-Bougoumou and visit the local handicraft shop and then, for those traveling by plane, be driven to the Chibougamau Airport and your flight home.

This is David's traditional territory and the area for which he holds the position of Tallyman.  Travel with us to our cabin in the woods and experience the ways of a different culture.  The trip will last eight (8) days.  It will take us three (3) days to get there and three (3) days to come back.  You will experience the back country, how we traveled in the past, our practices and customs, and learn about our legends and our traditional tools and medicines.

Those who notified us they will be arriving by plane will be met at the Chibougamau Airport and driven to the cultural village.  Those driving here can drive right to Oujé-Bougoumou.  Your first evening will be spent in the cultural village in Oujé-Bougoumou.  Here you will formally meet the other members of your trip and be treated to a meal of traditional food.  While in the village, you will be staying in an eenougamuk (traditional dwelling) where you will be warmed by a crackling fire and lulled to sleep by the fragrance of spruce boughs.  Or, if you prefer, for a slight surcharge, you have the option of staying at the Community's comfortable and fully equipped Capissisit Lodge.

The next morning after breakfast at Capissisit Lodge, you will begin your seven (7) day trip by snowshoe.  The journey will take us to Waposite Lake where you will spend two nights, so we will have more time to rest and learn various skills that require a little more time to demonstrate.  Once rested, it's back on the trail and back to our old travel routes, and on to Oujé-Bougoumou.  Along the way, we will show you traditional skills, travel routes and procedures, and point out interesting sights and legends.  Travel will be by snowshoe; however, there will also be dogsleds along for you to take advantage of and rest.  Each day's travel is designed to give you the bush experience, but kept to a minimum so as not to make it too difficult.  In the bush, you'll help set up and stay in a heated canvas tent with a spruce bough floor that will give you all the warmth and comfort of a small cabin.  The journey itself is the experience and will be filled with information about the surrounds and our way of life.  Along the way, you will learn to differentiate between animal tracks, learn how to set snares, do some ice fishing and hear about the natural wonders you are passing through.  In the evening you will fill your body with traditional foods, your soul with the warmth of friendly companionship and your mind with new experiences including our traditional games, stories and legends, craft making demonstrations and information about our traditional medicine.

The evening of the seventh day is spent back in Oujé-Bougoumou where you will have the opportunity to rest and shower, etc. and then bed down for your last night in your eenougamuk or at your room at the Lodge.

Departure: After a breakfast at the Lodge, you will have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the award-winning community of Oujé-Bougoumou and visit the local handicraft shop and then, for those traveling by plane, be driven to the Chibougamau Airport and your flight home.

The first two nights and days are spent in the village attending and participating in Oujé-Bougoumou's winter festival where you will stay in a traditional dwelling in the cultural village, take part in traditional games and take in the entertainment and traditional events such as a Walking Out Ceremony and a community feast.  From there, you will go out on the five (5) day Cultural Experience Package previously described.  This is a wonderful experience previously described.  This is a wonderful opportunity to experience Cree life in the community and on the land.  Take part in the fun and games and mingle with the community as we celebrate our heritage.

WINTER SCHEDULE

PRICES

All prices are in Canadian dollars.  Five (5) day winter trips cost $1,200 per person.  Eight (8) day journeys and the Bibbon Festival Package cost $1,700 per person.  Minimum group is four (4) participants per trip.

Price Includes:

·                  Pick up and return to Chibougamau Airport, if required

·                  All meals and accommodation (traditional dwelling) beginning and ending in Oujé-Bougoumou

·                  Those preferring to stay at the Lodge while in Oujé-Bougoumou should add $55 per night per room

·                  Guide services

·                  Camping equipment

·                  Complimentary pair of traditional snowshoe mocassins

Price Does Not Include:

·                  The cost of transportation to/from Oujé-Bougoumou

·                  Visits or meals not on scheduled itinerary

·                  Personal items required for the trip such as cosmetics, clothing, boots, film, etc.

Please remember this is a winter experience and participants should bring along appropriate clothing and footwear for the cold.  Also, as the sun is low in the sky at this time of year, it is a good idea to bring along a pair of sunglasses.

Terms:

·                  Deposit of 10% upon booking

·                  Balance due thirty (30) days prior to trip departure

Cancellation and Refunds:

Deposits provided will be returned, less a $50 administration fee, if the cancellation is received in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to departure date.

Customers will receive a full refund of deposit or payment if the trip is cancelled by the operator.

Five Day River Paddling Experience:

This trip lets you experience life as it is and was in the village and along the rivers, the Cree highways.  It features a variety of scenery and takes you to the location of several legends, lets you learn and experience traditional Cree ways and practices.  The trip involves several hours of paddling and some portaging.  It is not a very difficult trip, but does require some physical exertion.

Arriving afternoon/evening at the village of Oujé-Bougoumou.  Those driving here can drive directly to the village.  Those arriving by airplane from Montreal will be met at the Chibougamau Airport and driven to Oujé-Bougoumou.  The tour officially starts in the evening.  The first night's activities take place in our cultural village where you will be introduced to your hosts and your other tour companions.  After some conversation and a light traditional meal, you can settle in for the night in an eenougamuk (traditional dwelling) complete with the aroma of the spruce boughs covering the floor.

After breakfast at Capissisit Lodge, you will be driven to the Blaiklock River where you will put in and paddle to GUYDOMANMUSHICH where you will set up camp for the evening.  Along the way, you will be shown and told of various practices.  In the evening, you will be given traditional foods and shown various Cree craft making skills.  Your evening lodging will consist of a canvas tent with a spruce bough floor that will give you all the warmth and comfort of a small cabin.

The next day starts with a short paddle to the Brock River where you will set up camp for the night.  Along the way and in the camp, you will have the opportunity to fish for sturgeon, learn how to smoke fish and hear about our various traditional skills.

Your next evening, will be downstream at GAMATDABEHDODANNUCH and will include story telling, legends and traditional food.  Every day and night offers something new to learn and experience.

This last full day of the trip will take you down river and back to Oujé-Bougoumou.  You will continue to experience the beauty and tranquility of the region and learn more fascinating details about our way of life and practices.  In the evening, you can once again settle down in your eenougamuk or if you wish for a small surcharge, you have the option of staying at the Community's comfortable and fully equipped Capissisit Lodge.

Departure: After a breakfast at the Lodge, you will have the opportunity to tour the award-winning community of Oujé-Bougoumou and visit the local handicraft shop, and then, for those of you traveling by plane, you will be driven to the Chibougamau Airport and your flight home.

Lake Waposite Canoe Adventure:

The seven (7) day trip takes place on and around Lake Waposite. This is David's traditional territory and the area for which he holds the position of Tallyman.  This trip, we will take you throughout the area and teach you traditional skills, folklore and give you an intimate introduction to our history, practices and legends.

Arriving afternoon/evening at the village of Oujé-Bougoumou.  Those driving here can drive directly to the village.  Those arriving by airplane from Montreal will be met at the Chibougamau Airport and driven to Oujé-Bougoumou.  The tour officially starts in the evening.  The first night's activities take place in our cultural village where you will be introduced to your hosts and your other tour companions.  After some conversation and a light traditional meal, you can settle in for the night in an eenougamuk (traditional dwelling) complete with the aroma of the spruce boughs covering the floor.

After breakfast at Capissisit Lodge, you will be driven to the Lake Waposite where you will put in and take a short paddle to our evening's camp for the evening. There we will share stories and legends with you and introduce you to traditional Cree craft making skills.

The next day, we will paddle to Birch Island.  We will have lunch at a special campsite en route.  We will be spending two (2) nights at this site in order to give us more time to introduce you to traditional practices such as paddle making, how to prepare smoked fish and much more.

The next day's journey takes us to "Creature's Mark" at Comancho Lake where we will set up camp, learn about the legends, listen to stories, and learn moose hide sewing.

On the fifth day of our journey, we paddle to "Listening Island" where we set up camp.  In the afternoon, we will paddle across to Mount Dapuum and then hike to a spot called "Dad's Throne" where David's father sat to watch for game.

The next day, we continue to explore new sights and take in new experiences.  Today's camp will be at Birch Point.

On the last full day of the trip, there will be a short paddle back to our vehicle and then back to Oujé-Bougoumou where you will have the chance to wash up, and have dinner at Capissisit Lodge.  Your last evening in the village will be spent back in your eenougamuk or, if you wish, for a small surcharge, you can stay in a fully equipped room at our Lodge.

Departure: After a breakfast at the Lodge, you will have the opportunity to tour the award-winning community of Oujé-Bougoumou and visit the local handicraft shop, and then, for those of you traveling by plane, you will be driven to the Chibougamau Airport and your flight home.

The first two nights and days are spent in the village attending and participating in Oujé-Bougoumou's summer festival where you will stay in a traditional dwelling in the cultural village, take part in traditional games and take in the entertainment and traditional events such as a Walking out ceremony and a community feast.  From there, you will go out on the five (5) day Cultural Brock River exploration itinerary previously described.  This is a wonderful opportunity to experience Cree life in the community and on the land.  Take part in the fun and games and mingle with the community as we celebrate our heritage.

SUMMER AND FALL SCHEDULE

Five Day Cultural Experience                         -           June and September

Seven Day Cultural Experience                      -           July, August and September

Nebin Festival Package                                   -           July

(For exact dates, please call us at 1-888-745-3905 or consult the enclosed insert)

PRICES

All prices are in Canadian dollars.  Five (5) day summer trips cost $850 per person.  Seven (7) day trip cost $1,200 per person.  Minimum group is four (4) participants per trip.

Price Includes:

·                 All meals and accommodation (traditional dwelling) beginning and ending in Oujé-Bougoumou

·                 Those preferring to stay at the Lodge while in Oujé-Bougoumou should add $55 per night per room

·                 Guide services

·                 Camping equipment

·                 Gift from your hosts

Price Does Not Include:

·                 The cost of transportation to/from Oujé-Bougoumou (except airport pick up and return)

·                 Visits or meals not on scheduled itinerary

·                 Personal items required for the trip such as cosmetics, clothing, boots, film, etc.

Terms:

·                 Deposit of 10% upon booking

·                 Balance due thirty (30) days prior to trip departure

Cancellation and Refunds:

Deposits provided will be returned, less a $50 administration fee, if the cancellation is received in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to departure date.

Customers will receive a full refund of deposit or payment if the trip is cancelled by the operator.

CUSTOMIZED PACKAGES

We are pleased to offer those of you interested in taking a tour with us but whose itinerary does not match any of our scheduled trips, the opportunity to design their own packages.  All we need is a minimum group of four (4) people and advanced reservations.

Typically shorter trips begin in Oujé-Bougoumou and then tour the general area.  All trips introduce you to the Cree way of life and to the area.  Depending on the length of the trip you have the option of snow shoeing and/or dog sledding in the winter and either river or lake canoeing in the summer and fall.

PRICES

All prices are in Canadian dollars.  One (1) day tours (no camping and one meal) cost $120 per person in the summer and $190 per person in winter.

All-inclusive overnight package cost $180 per person per day in the summer and $250 per day in winter.

Price Includes:

·                 All meals and accommodation (traditional dwelling) beginning and ending in Oujé-Bougoumou

·                 Those preferring to stay at the Lodge while in Oujé-Bougoumou should add $55 per night per room

·                 Guide services

·                 Camping equipment

Price Does Not Include:

·                 The cost of transportation to/from Oujé-Bougoumou (except airport pick up and return)

·                 Visits or meals not on scheduled itinerary

·                 Personal items required for the trip such as cosmetics, clothing, boots, film, etc.

Terms:

·                 Deposit of 10% upon booking

·                 Balance due thirty (30) days prior to trip departure

Cancellation and Refunds:

Deposits provided will be returned, less a $50 administration fee, if the cancellation is received in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to departure date.

Customers will receive a full refund of deposit or payment if the trip is cancelled by the operator.

For those visiting Oujé-Bougoumou for the day, NUUHCHIMI WIINUU is pleased to offer hour or half day dog sledding and rental of snowshoes in the winter and rental of canoes in the summer.  We also cater groups interested in eating a traditional bush food.