Natuashish

Natuashish is an Innu community in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The community is inhabited by the Mushuau Innu First Nation.

This article is about the town. For the ethnic group, see Mushuau Innu First Nation.
Natuashish
Indian reserve
Natuashish Indian Reserve No. 2
Natuashish
Location in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Coordinates: 55°55′00″N 61°07′30″W
Country Canada
Province Newfoundland and Labrador
Settled2002 [1]
Government
 • ChiefJohn Nui
 • Federal MPYvonne Jones (L)
 • Provincial MHALela Evans (PC)
Population
 (2016)
 • Total935[2]
Time zoneUTC-4 (AST)
Area code(s)709

Natuashish (Little Sango Pond)[3] 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.[4] The population of Natuashish at the 2016 Census was 936, up from 931 in 2011.

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 issue. The local tribal band was accused of corruption, as was shown in a 2005 CBC report in which it was shown that the leadership was trafficking drugs and other illicit substances to maintain power.[5][6][7][8][9]

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.[10][11]The prohibition bylaw was upheld in a subsequent referendum held in the community in March 2010.[12]

The community continues to struggle with drug abuse and youth boredom.[13][14] As recently as 2017 gas sniffing by youths has been a notable issue.[15]

Natuashish is inaccessible by road and may be reached only by air or sea. The community is served by the Natuashish Airport.[16]

References
  1. Adrian Tanner (1999). "Innu History". Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. "Census Profile, 2016 Census". Statistics Canada. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  3. 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.
  4. "Davis Inlet Innu get new home". Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta (AMMSA). 1996. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  5. "The Innu of Labrador: From Davis Inlet to Natuashish". CBC News. December 14, 2004. Archived from the original on Dec 17, 2004. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  6. "Natuashish: Struggling with the hangovers of old Davis Inlet". CBC. Feb 8, 2005. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  7. 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.
  8. "Band money fuelling addictions: sources". CBC News. Feb 9, 2005. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  9. "Labrador Innu leaders pocketing band money: audit". CBC News. Oct 26, 2005. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  10. "Labrador Innu village votes for booze ban". CBC News. February 1, 2008. Archived from the original on Feb 2, 2008. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  11. "Natuashish to vote on all-out ban on alcohol, drugs". CBC News. January 30, 2008. Archived from the original on Jan 31, 2008. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  12. "Natuashish votes to keep alcohol ban". CBC News. Mar 26, 2010. Archived from the original on Mar 28, 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  13. White, Bailey (Jun 20, 2017). "'Killing our youth': Natuashish leaders call for crackdown on bootlegging". CBC News. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  14. 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.
  15. Bailey, Sue (May 15, 2017). "New gas-sniffing crisis grips Natuashish Innu". CTV News. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
  16. Moore, Angel (Apr 5, 2020). "Indigenous leaders asking that access to Labrador be sealed off". APTN News. Retrieved Oct 16, 2020.
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