The community is located within the federal riding of Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, currently represented in the House of Commons by Sylvie Bérubé of the Bloc Québécois.

The chief and council are all elected by the beneficiaries of the Cree Nation of Wemindji.

Wemindji is a fairly new community comprising Cree families originally living at the trading post in Cree named "Paakumshumwashtikw", in French Vieux-Comptoir River, known as Vieux-Comptoir or its English equivalent "Old Factory".

This trading post was founded in the 17th century and was alternately under British or French control.

Special membership was insisted by the Aboriginal people to allow them to take charge in their local and regional government, The creation of their own health and school boards, measures for economic and community development, special regimes for police and justice and environmental protection.

The agreement allowed them to gain a technical definition of the La Grande Project which included limitations on water levels and a remedial works corporation for social, environmental damages, and relocation of the first dam.

The second category known as crown land is used as hunting, fishing, and trapping territories shared between the Cree and Inuit.

Lastly, the third category of land is used for traditional hunting and harvesting which was designated exclusively for Aboriginal people to use.

The Cree have continued practising their traditional way of hunting, trapping and fishing.

Along with their 11 Cree communities, there are over 300 traditional family hunting and trapping grounds which they call “traplines”.