Fast Facts on the Labrador Innu

There are two Innu First Nations in Labrador, the Mushuau Innu First Nation located in Natuashish (NAT-WAH-SHEESH) and the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation located in Sheshatshiu (SHESH-AH-SHEE).

In 2001, the Labrador Innu Comprehensive Healing Strategy was developed. This is a joint holistic approach, between the Government of Canada, the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador and the Labrador Innu, moving beyond dealing only with symptoms to addressing root causes. This Healing Strategy seeks to develop new ways of looking at health services, social programs, governance, education and policing. The primary goals are to restore health and hope, create strong communities and focus on building a future for the Innu communities. Federal government funding for this strategy amounted to $65.3 million over three years. INAC was provided a total of $45.2 million for registration and reserve creation and on-reserve programs and services. For community health, Health Canada was provided $20.1 million. In addition the Solicitor General was provided with $2 million for policing, police detachments and evaluation.

Mushuau Innu First Nation

The community is governed under a custom election code.

Chief:
Simeon Tshakapesh

Councillors:
Angela Pasteen
Simon Pokue
Mary Agathe Rich
Sebastien Rich

As of the Indian Register Population for Atlantic First Nation as at December&nsbp;31, 2009, the population of Mushuau Innu First Nation is 725.

The traditional language spoken is Innuaimun.

In 1967 the Mushuau Innu were moved to Davis Inlet on the eastern side of the Island of Iluikoyak off the coast of Labrador.

The Mushuau Innu were relocated to Natuashish, Labrador from Davis Inlet during the winter of 2002/2003. The cost of construction of this new community and the relocation of community members is estimated at $152 million.

The community of Natuashish includes a state of the art school, a wharf, airport, streets and service roads, power generation facility, water and sewer facility, fire station, police station, community garage, store, recreation center, nursing station and band hall. In addition to the 135 houses initially built, 40 residential units have just recently been completed.

Natuashish is approximately 4267 hectares, or 10544 acres, in size. The size of the old community of Davis Inlet is unknown as there were no established boundaries.

Natuashish is approximately 295 kilometres north of Goose Bay and approximately 80 kilometres southeast of Nain. The community is accessible by air only out of Goose Bay.

The federal Member of Parliament is Todd Russell (L) from the riding of Labrador. The provincial Member of the House of Assembly is Patricia Pottle (C) from the riding of Torngat Mountains.

Sheshatshui Innu First Nation

The community is governed under a custom election code.

Chief:
Sebastien Benuen

Councillors:
Jolene Ashini
Simon Peter Gregoire
Mary Jane Nui
Andrew Penashue
Karen Penunsi
Jonas Ben Rich

As of Indian Register Population for Atlantic First Nation as at December 31, 2009, the population of Sheshatshiu is 1,276.

The traditional language spoken is Innueimun.

Sheshatshiu is located 40 km southwest of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. To drive to this community take highway 570 north from Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Sheshatshiu. Neighbour to Sheshatshiu is the town of North West River.

The Sheshatshiu Reserve is 804.022 Hectares.

The federal Member of Parliament is Todd Russell (L) from the riding of Labrador. The provincial Member of the House of Assembly is John Hickey (PC) from the riding of Lake Melville.

Last updated: July 19, 2010