Mattice-Val Côté
| Mattice-Val Côté | |
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| — Township — | |
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| Motto: In Futuro Spes | |
 Mattice-Val Côté
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| Coordinates: 49°38′45″N 83°17′13″W / 49.64583°N 83.28694°WCoordinates: 49°38′45″N 83°17′13″W / 49.64583°N 83.28694°W[1] | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Ontario |
| District | Cochrane |
| Settled | 1910s |
| Incorporated | April 18, 1975 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Michel Brière |
| • MP | Carol Hughes (NDP) |
| • MPP | Gilles Bisson |
| Area[2] | |
| • Total | 414.64 km2 (160.09 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 232 m (761 ft) |
| Population (2011)[2] | |
| • Total | 686 |
| • Density | 1.9/km2 (5/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Postal code FSA | P0L |
| Area code(s) | 705, 249 |
| Website | matticevalcote.ca |
Mattice-Val Côté is an incorporated township in Cochrane District in Northeastern Ontario, Canada.[1] It is located approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) east of Hearst and 70 kilometres (43 mi) west of Kapuskasing on Ontario Highway 11.
The township was incorporated on April 18, 1975, as the United Townships of Eilber and Devitt, with Paul Zorzetto as first reeve.[3] Its two primary population centres are Mattice and Val Côté. Mattice is located on the Missinaibi River, a historic fur-trading route that flows into the Moose River, then into James Bay. The river is a popular destination for canoers, known for its historical significance and its breathtaking views.
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History
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Mattice was founded in the 1910s, fueled by the arrival of the Canadian Transcontinental Railway and free land given away by the government. Most residents came from the province of Quebec.
The history of Mattice-Val Côté and its residents is detailed in the two volume book Si Missinaïbi m'était conté. Volume I tells the story of the original settlers in the early 1920’s. Volume II tells the story of their descendants.[4]
Economy
A majority of residents work in nearby Hearst and Opasatika in the lumber industry. Opasatika's mill is now shut down. Other residents work in the service industry.
A group of local women entrepreneurs have banded together to open a clothing company which manufactures polar fleece clothing, ideal for the cold winter conditions of the area.
Tourist attractions
The Municipality of Mattice-Val Côté has set up a rest and camp area on the right bank of the Missinaibi River so that canoe enthusiasts can sleep, shower, rest and visit the sites. The municipality has also erected a sculpture depicting a voyageur portaging along the river.
Mattice is home to a historical First Nations cemetery, located two kilometers south of town. It had been abandoned in the 1940s but has now been cleaned up and can be accessed by road or by canoe on the Missinaibi River.
A rock museum opened in Val Côté in 2002.
Festivals
The Carnaval Missinaïbi (winter carnival) is held over the course of two weeks in the end of February/beginning of March every winter. Activities include snowmobile rallies, music concerts, and kids activities. The Carnaval is best known in the area for its generous prizes (vehicles and money) given away in the Carnival draw.
The first "journées médiévales" (Medieval Days) took place in the summer of 2006, inspired by a similar activity in a small Quebec town. The festival takes place at the baseball field of Mattice on the last weekend of August. This festival features the naming of a king and queen for the day, a competition to become a knight, a lot of family activities, a variety of different expositions and a meal without utensils.
Canadian Rivers Day has been celebrated for four years with organized trips on the Missinaibi River, educational sessions and family activities.
Sports
Residents and visitors enjoy outdoor sports such as hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, camping, swimming and canoeing. It is a popular spot for anglers and hunters.
Education
The local grade school is called École catholique St-François-Xavier where students go from kindergarten to grade 8. High school students are bussed to École Secondaire catholique Hearst.
Demographics
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The majority of Mattice-Val Côté residents are French speaking. Most of the residents are also Caucasian, born in Canada for many generations, but different cultures can also be found such as Portuguese, First Nations, Finnish, Dutch and even Spanish. About 92% of the population is French but 96% speaks it.
References
- ^ a b "Mattice-Val Côté". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. http://geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/search/unique_e.php?id=FEDRF&output=xml. Retrieved 2011-09-09.
- ^ a b c "Mattice-Val Côté census profile". 2011 Census of Population. Statistics Canada. http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3556077&Geo2=CD&Code2=3556&Data=Count&SearchText=Mattice&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
- ^ "Council History" (in French). Municipality of Mattice–Val Côté. http://matticevalcote.ca/mattice/?page_id=545&lang=en. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
- ^ (in French) Si Missinaïbi m'était conté-- : l'histoire vécue des pionniers de Mattice-Val Côté [If the story of Missinaïbi were told: the story of the lives of the pionneers of Mattice-Val Côté]. Mattice. 1986. OCLC 16983300. Vol I - L'histoire vécue des pionniers de Mattice-Val-Côté. Vol II- L'histoire des gens de Mattice-Val-Côté.
- ^ "2006 Community Profiles". Canada 2006 Census. Statistics Canada. 2009-02-24. http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/index.cfm?Lang=E. Retrieved 2009-02-24.
- ^ "2001 Community Profiles". Canada 2001 Census. Statistics Canada. 2007-02-01. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/profil01/CP01/Index.cfm?Lang=E. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
External links
- Official website
- James Bay Frontier Travel Association
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