A Cree village is set aside for the use of the Nation, but members do not permanently residing there.
Eventually, the groups later permanently establishing themselves in what is known as Eeyou Istchee (the Cree traditional territory in eastern James Bay).
After spending the winter of 1668–1669, explorers Pierre-Esprit Radisson and Médard des Groseilliers convinced the English Crown, primarily Prince Rupert of the Rhine that a colonial enterprise in the bay would yield wealth in minerals and fur.
The town was known as East Main House and was originally on the north shore of the Eastmain River, but in 1762, Eastmain was relocated to the south shore because it provided easier access to the town from the James Bay.
[4] As of October 2019[update], Eastmain had a total registered population of 917 members with 806 living on the reserve.