Kiamika, Quebec

Kiamika is a municipality in the Laurentides region of Quebec, Canada, part of the Antoine-Labelle Regional County Municipality.Joseph Montferrand (1802-1864), a logger of imposing stature and extraordinary physical strength, was from Kiamika.EtymologyThe municipality is named after the Kiamika River, which flows through its territory and is a tributary of the Du Lièvre River. This name, mentioned by Stanislas Drapeau as Kiamica and appearing on a map of Quebec by Eugène Taché from 1870, comes from the Algonquin word kickiamika meaning "steep cut below the water", from kicki (steep cut) and amick (below the water).However, an alternate meaning may be "deep and quiet river", from the roots kiam (deep) and ka (quiet).HistoryIn 1883, the Colonization Society of Montarville was founded and took possession of the area in 1884. Settlers established on the banks of the Du Lièvre River, about 11 km south of Val-Barrette, the mission of Saint-Gérard-de-Kiamika, also called Saint-Gérard-de-Montarville. A year later its post office opened. In 1890, the Kiamika Township is proclaimed.In 1898, the Township Municipality of Kiamika is formed. In 1920, the mission received its status as a parish. In 1994, it changed its statutes and officially became the Municipality of Kiamika.DemographicsPopulation trend: Population in 2011: 772 Population in 2006: 779 Population in 2001: 716 Population in 1996: 722 Population in 1991: 651 Private dwellings occupied by usual residents: 345