Nestled at the picturesque confluence of the Bécancour River, Wôlinak stands proudly as one of the historic Abenaki communities within the Waban-Aki Nation of Quebec. The name 'Wôlinak' translates to 'the river with long meanders' in the Abenaki language, reflecting the winding waterways used by the Abenaki people to cross their hunting grounds in the 17th century.

Wôlinak's rich heritage dates back to the era of New France, when the Abenaki established their summer camps and adopted subsistence farming. Marked by the visit of the Bishop of Québec in 1681, Wôlinak developed as a vital Christian mission and military outpost, supporting the French colony with its renowned expertise in forest warfare.

Throughout the 18th century, Wôlinak served as a cultural center for the Abenaki, fostering traditional practices and brotherhood among regional groups such as the Sokoki and the Loups. Despite the turbulence of colonial transitions and the dispossessions they faced in the 19th century, the Abenaki of Wôlinak persisted, adapting to change while maintaining their connection to the land through hunting, fishing, and agriculture.

In the 20th century, the Abenaki community experienced a shift toward industrial development, complemented by a nascent service economy. The idea of ​​a casino in Wôlinak is not new. As early as 2003, Chief Raymond Bernard supported the project to open a gaming room in the community, but the project was not able to come to fruition during his term.

In 2016, the Abénaki Council of Wôlinak officially began thinking about the opportunity to develop a casino project with a view to developing the community’s economy. In 2017, the Council adopted its Land Code, a legal document allowing for the planning of a gaming establishment in the community. That same year, the Council adopted a resolution formalizing the process of finding investors and partners. In 2020, following an agreement between the Abenaki Council and Tribal Gaming Holdings, the Grand Royal Wôlinak (GRW) was created, a limited partnership 100% owned by the Wôlinak Council that has been operating an entertainment center, including a casino, since 2022.

Since its opening on February 28, 2022, the Wôlinak casino has established itself as a major economic driver. Indeed, 230 jobs have been created in a community with as many residents, while constituting a major source of revenue for Wôlinak.

The Grand Royal Wôlinak Casino is proud to be able to count on nearly 90 employees from the community and to actively contribute to its development. The GRW thus strengthens Wôlinak’s ability to prosper, providing a stable source of income to the community for years to come.

The casino is just the beginning of an ambitious project for the Wôlinak community. A performance hall is currently under construction, and a 90-room hotel project is in the planning stages. These initiatives will complement the casino, providing a complete experience for our guests while generating valuable revenue for all Wôlinak residents.