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Our history
Over 3,000 years ago
The Pekuakamiulnuatsh, of the Ilnu (or Innu) nation, already lived in the territory. There they practiced hunting, fishing, and gathering, moving with the rhythm of the seasons.
17th century
The arrival of French settlers led to the creation of trading posts for the fur trade destined for Europe.
1850s
Agriculture attracted even more people to Lac-Saint-Jean. Access was facilitated by the railroad a few decades later. Quickly, the territory was called the “Granary of the Province,” as the agri-food sector expanded rapidly.
19th century
Another turning point in the area’s history was the rise of the forestry industry. It was also at the end of this century that the region became a popular tourist destination for wealthy Canadians and Americans who came to enjoy ouananiche fishing.
1926
As industrialization continued, the hydroelectric resources of several rivers in the territory played a key role in the regional economy. The construction of the Isle-Maligne hydroelectric plant, the most powerful in the world at the time, was completed.
Between 1920 and 1970
The aluminum industry, as well as the pulp and paper industry, experienced rapid growth, shaping the geographic and socioeconomic landscape of the region.
The beginning of blueberry cultivation in Lac-Saint-Jean
Did you know that the origin of blueberries dates back to 1870, when a large fire devastated nearly 3,800 km² of land in the region? Yes, indeed! This sad event still managed to contribute to the colonization of our lands by attracting numerous farmers. The greatest impact of this fire remains, without a doubt, the appearance of our blue gold and our emblem: the blueberry. Thus, it is thanks to a devastating fire that today we can enjoy, with our families, the pleasure of growing small fruits in the summer.