LA ROMAINE

What to KNOW

La Romaine, located near the mouth of the Olomane River, consists of a small French-speaking population and a larger Innu community called Unamen Shipu. The name La Romaine comes from the Innu word olomane or oromane, meaning red ochre, from the reddish waters of the river in spring runoff. In the early 18th century the French established a fishing and trading post at the mouth of the Olomane River. This post became the place of contact between the nomadic Innu and the more coastal Europeans. The British took control of the post in the 1760s, followed by merchants from Quebec City.

Around 1850, French Canadians from elsewhere in Quebec began to settle the area, and gradually moved to La Romaine when several small outposts closed. Today many residents work in the commercial lobster fishery and private sport-fishing camps.

UNAMEN SHIPU

The Innu community dates from the mid-1950s. Traditionally, the Innu maintained a nomadic lifestyle. At the end of summer, they left the coast and traveled upriver to hunt and fish in winter. Each May, they returned down the river to the coast, where they fished, hunted seabirds and gathered eggs. The Innu of the Lower North Shore were one of the last nomadic Aboriginal groups in North America, and were known for their birchbark canoes and traditional travel by canoe or snowshoe.

The fur trade, contact with the white population, and the market economy gradually transformed the Innu lifestyle. Today, different projects are initiated to allow new generations to reconnect with the culture and traditions of their ancestors.

What to SEE

Marie Reine-des-Indiens Roman Catholic Church

This church is open to the public. It houses an unusual caribou skin altar that melds Catholic and Innu culture.

Outer islands

A local boat owner can take you bird-watching and berry-picking on various islands off La Romaine

Île à la Brume Migratory Bird Sanctuary

This seabird sanctuary is located east of the community of La Romaine. The Common Eider, Ring-Billed Gull, Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gull nest here. No public activities are permitted when birds are present at this conservation site.

WHAT TO DO

IN SUMMER

Hiking and walking, bird and whale watching, iceberg viewing, boat tours, sea kayaking, berry-picking, salmon fishing, wilderness camping, ATV

IN WINTER

Snowmobiling, ice fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter carnival, hockey tournaments

Services

HOTEL MADAMME RUBY

Rue Principale Romaine
La Romaine (Unamen Shipu) (QC), G0G 1M0
Tel: (418) 229-2118
Fax: (418) 229-3182
EN APPRENDRE PLUS

Innuberge Chalet À Louer

La Romaine (Unamen Shipu) (QC), G0G 1M0
Tel: (418) 229-1300
EN APPRENDRE PLUS

Les entreprises Henry Jenniss

12 ch du Ruisseau
La Romaine (Unamen Shipu) (QC), G0G 1M0
Tel: (418) 229-2944
Fax: (418) 229-2224
Courriel: carolinelahg@hotmail.com

Etamamiou Outfitter

Alexis Lalo
La Romaine (Unamen Shipu) (QC), G0G 1M0
Tel: (418) 229-2211 / (418) 229-2677
EN APPRENDRE PLUS

Les clubs de Chasse et Pêche Saint-Laurent inc.

La Romaine (Unamen Shipu) (QC), G0G 1M0
Tel: (450) 628-0222

Pourvoirie de la Rivière Washicoutai

La Romaine (Unamen Shipu) (QC), G0G 1M0
Tel: (514) 879-2334

Pourvoirie J.M.L inc.

La Romaine (Unamen Shipu) (QC), G0G 1M0
Tel:  (514) 788-8957

Pourvoirie Musquanousse

La Romaine (Unamen Shipu) (QC), G0G 1M0
Tel: (418) 229-2971

TOURISME WINIPEUKUT NATURE

46, rue Du Large
La Romaine (Unamen Shipu) (QC), G0G 1M0
Tel: (418) 229-2424
Courriel: info@innuvoyage.ca
EN APPRENDRE PLUS

Casse-croûte Le Snack

114, Rue du Quai
La Romaine (Unamen Shipu) (QC), G0G 1M0
Tel: (418) 229-2199
EN APPRENDRE PLUS

Museé/Centre d’Interprétation de La Romaine

Danielle Collard
La Romaine (Unamen Shipu) (QC), G0G 1M0
Tel: (418) 229-2912
Courriel: municipalitelaromaine@outlook.ca