East Cree is the Montagnais-Naskapi dialect spoken in northwestern Quebec, along the east coast of James and Hudson Bay and inland. There is a distinction between northern and southern subdialects, the latter with coastal and inland varieties. The northern dialect is spoken in Whapamagostui (Great Whale River), Chisasibi (Fort George), and Wemindji (Paint Hills); southern dialects are spoken in Nemaska (Nemiscau), Waskaganish (Rupert House), Eastmain, Waswanipi, Ouje-bougamau and Mistissini.

Spoken in north western Quebec in Whapamagostui (Great Whale River), Chisasibi (Fort George), and Wemindji (Paint Hills).

Northern East Cree [crl]: West central Quebec, east coast of lower Hudson Bay and James Bay; some speakers likely on Nunavut islands in James Bay; Whapmagoostui, Chisasibi, Wemindji, and most in Eastmain communities.
Southern East Cree [crj]: Quebec, southeastward from James Bay, inland to the watershed east of Lake Mistissini. Coastal communities of Waskaganish, some in Eastmain. Inland, in Mistissini, Waswanipi, Nemaska, Ouje-Bougoumo.