Natuashish

This article is about the town. For the ethnic group, see Mushuau Innu First Nation.

Natuashish
Indian reserve
Natuashish Indian Reserve No. 2
Natuashish is located in Newfoundland and Labrador
Natuashish
Natuashish
Location in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Coordinates: 55°55′00″N 61°07′30″W / 55.91667°N 61.12500°W / 55.91667; -61.12500
Country Canada
Province Newfoundland and Labrador
Settled2002 [1]
Government
 • ChiefJohn Nui
 • Federal MPYvonne Jones (L)
 • Provincial MHALela Evans (PC)[2]
Population
 (2021)
 • Total856
Time zoneUTC-4 (AST)
Area code709

Natuashish is an Innu community in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The community is inhabited by the Mushuau Innu First Nation. Natuashish became a federal Indian reserve in 2003.[3][4]

Natuashish (Little Sango Pond)[5] was established in 2002 as a planned community in the hopes of resolving the social problems that had plagued the prior community of Davis Inlet, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) away.[6] The population of Natuashish at the 2021 Census was 856, down from 938 in 2016.[7]

Initial reports suggested that the Canadian government's plan of renewal and healing had been a failure, as the community was still plagued with alcohol and drug abuse. The government was accused of creating a system overburdened with bureaucracy, and not adequately addressing the issues. The local tribal band was accused of corruption, as was proven in a 2005 CBC report in which it was shown that the leadership was trafficking drugs and other illicit substances to maintain power.[8][9][10][11][12]

The community's attempt to resolve its problem with alcoholism led to a ban on the sale, purchase, and possession of alcohol within the reserve. The bylaw was originally passed in 2008 by a margin of two votes.[13][14] The prohibition bylaw was upheld in a subsequent referendum held in the community in March 2010.[15]

The community has continued to struggle with drug abuse and youth boredom.[16][17] As recently as 2017, gas sniffing by youths has been a notable issue.[18]

Natuashish is inaccessible by road and may be reached only by air or sea.[19] The community is served by the Natuashish Airport.[20]

  1. ^ Adrian Tanner (1999). "Innu History". Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage.
  2. ^ "Labrador MHA Lela Evans leaving the NDP to return to PC caucus". Yahoo News. 2024-07-16. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  3. ^ "Mushuau Innu First Nation Band Order SOR/2002-415". Justice Canada. 21 November 2002.
  4. ^ "Archived - Reserve Creation at Natuashish". Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Nov 2007. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  5. ^ Bibeau, Pierre. "Phase 2 Report on a Heritage Study for the Utshimassit Community Relocation Project, Sango Bay, Labrador". Government of Newfoundland and Labrador - Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  6. ^ "Davis Inlet Innu get new home". Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta (AMMSA). 1996. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  7. ^ "Natuashish 2, Indian reserve (IRI) Newfoundland and Labrador [Census subdivision]". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  8. ^ "The Innu of Labrador: From Davis Inlet to Natuashish". CBC News. December 14, 2004. Archived from the original on December 17, 2004. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  9. ^ "Natuashish: Struggling with the hangovers of old Davis Inlet". CBC. Feb 8, 2005. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  10. ^ Power, Peter (March 6, 2015). "A decade after the people of Davis Inlet were relocated, they are still hunting demons". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  11. ^ "Band money fuelling addictions: sources". CBC News. Feb 9, 2005. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  12. ^ "Labrador Innu leaders pocketing band money: audit". CBC News. Oct 26, 2005. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  13. ^ "Labrador Innu village votes for booze ban". CBC News. February 1, 2008. Archived from the original on February 2, 2008. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  14. ^ "Natuashish to vote on all-out ban on alcohol, drugs". CBC News. January 30, 2008. Archived from the original on January 31, 2008. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  15. ^ "Natuashish votes to keep alcohol ban". CBC News. Mar 26, 2010. Archived from the original on March 28, 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  16. ^ White, Bailey (Jun 20, 2017). "'Killing our youth': Natuashish leaders call for crackdown on bootlegging". CBC News. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  17. ^ Bailey, Sue (May 15, 2017). "'They're doing it right on the street': New gas-sniffing crisis grips Natuashish Innu". CBC News. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  18. ^ Bailey, Sue (May 15, 2017). "New gas-sniffing crisis grips Natuashish Innu". CTV News. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  19. ^ Churchill Duke, Laura (20 Sep 2019). "Hopedale woman circulating petition calling for the province to subsidize flights to northern Labrador". Saltwire. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  20. ^ Moore, Angel (Apr 5, 2020). "Indigenous leaders asking that access to Labrador be sealed off". APTN News. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.