The members of the Manawan First Nation are Atikamekw. In October 2016, the band had a total registered population of 2,892 members, 409 of them were living off reserve.[3] According to Statistics Canada's 2011 census, the median age of the population is 19 years old.[4]
Culture, traditions and way of life of people of Manawan are governed by the six seasons that determine the activities and the travels on the territory. During each season there is a main activity and the camp site is different. The relationship with nature changes according to the season.
Blueberry season, net fishing, small game hunting, manufacture of bark basket
Takwakin
Autumn
September, October
Moose rut period, moose hunting
Pitcipipon
Pre-Winter
November, December
Trapping season, pose of hare's collars, capture by hand of beavers
Pipon
Winter
January, February
Season of ice fishing
Sikon
Pre-Spring
March, April
Season of maple sugar
Miroskamin
Spring
May, June
Duck and partridge hunting
Languages
Atikamekw of Manawan speak Atikamekw language, a language of the Algonquian languages family.[9][10] Atikamekw language is known by all the community and is the main language for day-to-day communication. It is the teaching language from pre-school to the third year of primary school. After that, teaching is done in French, which is the second language spoken by all the community.
Governance
Manawan First Nation is governed by a band council called Conseil Atikamekw de Manawan (French for "Atikamekw Council of Manawan") elected according to a custom electoral system based on Section 11 of the Indian Act. For 2014-2018 tenure, this council is composed of the chief Jean-Roch Ottawa and six councilors.[11]
