Davis Inlet

Atlantic Canada Studies Thesis (M.A.)--Saint Mary's University, 1997.

Describes how the Innu gave up the remnants of their nomadic culture to settle in half-built houses on the northeast coast of Labrador. Duration: 8:11.

Describes the situation in Davis Inlet and Sheshatshiu regarding kids sniffing gas, and tells a tragic story of 11-year-old Charles Rich who died after accidentally setting himself on fire. Duration: 15:50.

Discusses the social disintegration of an Innu settlement and the possible causes. Classroom lesson plan to accompany segment on DVD News in Review. March, 1993.

Describes the move of 150 Innu families from Davis Inlet to the town of Natuashish, 15 kilometres away. Duration: 6:03.

Interview with Chief regarding youth vandalizing the town. Duration: 7:54.

Discusses how three women in Natuashish are attempting to heal their community in different ways. Includes synopsis. Duration: 21:39.

A video of six gas-sniffing teens screaming they want to die. Includes synopsis. Duration: 2:14.

Reports that virtually no progress had been made in programs and services regarding the Labrador Innu Comprehensive Healing Strategy in the new community of Natuashish. Duration: 18:36.

Mushuau Innu hopeful that improved living conditions at new townsite of Namashish, which they helped design, will have positive effects on their community.

Linguistics Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2000.

Documentary about the consequences of the nomadic Mushuau Innu being relocated to Davis Inlet, Labrador. Duration: 48:51.

Discusses film, The Shirt to understand Native authenticity and identity.

The file contains an open forum presentation by Carol Hopkins. Hopkins, an Anishnabeh woman, discusses adoption issues, jurisdiction over children, and related issues.

The file contains an open forum presentation by Ron-Wayne Hoekstiza. Hoekstiza, an Ojibwa man who was removed as a youth from his family by social services and raised by a Dutch couple in Europe, discusses his personal struggles to reclaim his identity, his views on the Royal Commission, and his views on Aboriginal peoples. Following the presentation Commissioner Sillett thanks Hoekstiza for his comments and discusses the situation in northern Labrador and Davis Inlet which he referenced, and where she is originally from.

File contains the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Davis Inlet, Labrador, on Tuesday, December 1, 1992. File contains presentations by individuals, and a variety of Innu Nation groups. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains an individual presentation by Peter Penashue focusing on Innu self-government. He provides a brief history of the Innu people in Labrador and the effects on the Innu when Newfoundland entered Confederation in 1949. He refers to the framework negotiations with the federal and provincial governments and hopes these negotiations lead to self-government that will help revive Innu culture, customs and language. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains Opening Remarks from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at Davis Inlet, Labrador, on Tuesday, December 1, 1992. Commissioner Georges Erasmus explains the mandate and goals of the Commission, as well as giving a summary of what the first round of hearings accomplished. Commissioner Mary Sillet discusses the Commission and some issues specific to the Innu Nation, as well as Davis Inlet.

File contains a presentation by Ben Andrews. Andrews discusses issues associated with colonization in Canada, making reference to Dene communities and the Oka Crisis.

File contains a presentation by Cajetan Rich. Rich delivers a brief history of the community of Davis Inlet, Labrador. Rich discusses the community from the 1700s to contemporary times.

File contains a presentation by Chief Katie Rich, Davis Inlet. Rich discusses how the community was promised better housing when they were relocated in the 1960s, how they face clean water problems, housing problems, a lack of planning by government, alcohol problems, a lack of culturally appropriate curriculum in schools, the need for youth recreation facilities, the need to incorporate Elders in the education system, funding problems, justice issues, policing issues, and the need for relocation on Innu terms.

This file contains a presentation by Deanna Grey Eyes, Pat Shirt and Wilson Okeymaw focusing on their organization's goals, including relevant and timely program development and delivery; cultural programming to increase awareness of Aboriginal culture and individual self-esteem; using Aboriginal counsellors as role models; and introducing or strengthening their clients' traditional spirituality. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Gordon Warner. Warner, of Mennonite Central Committee discusses his work and experiences in the community of Davis Inlet. Warner discusses construction concerns and issues related to community relocation. Following Warner's presentation Commissioner Erasmus thanks him for his views. Following this Commissioners Erasmus and Sillet deliver closing remarks and close the sitting of the Commission for the day.

File contains a presentation by Vice President George Rich, Innu Nation. Rich states that Davis Inlet has "all kinds of problems that never existed in other Native communities in Canada." Rich discusses educational issues, his personal experiences as a youth, dealing with bureaucracy, his views on the Oka crisis, community policing and RCMP relations, suicide issues, housing, Innu concepts of government, Aboriginal rights, self-government, obstructions to Innu self-governance, land claims, colonialism, and related issues.

File contains a presentation by Peter Penashue, President of the Innu Nation. Penashue discusses a variety of matters including substance abuse problems in the community, relocation funding and issues, social services and foster care, alcoholism, and other general community issues. Following the presentation Penashue discusses some of the issues raised with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Raphael Gregoire, Director of Education, Innu Nation. Gregoire makes his presentation on behalf of both the Sheshatshiu and Utshimasit Innu. He discusses educational concerns and developments in the field, language issues, self-governance as it relates to education, and traditional skills training. Following the presentation Commissioner Erasmus discusses some of the issues raised with Gregoire.

File contains a presentation by Simeon Tshakapesh, Youth Council and Tribal Police. Tshakapesh discusses the lack of control Innu youth feel over their own lives as the root of many of the serious social problems plaguing Davis Inlet. Tshakapesh stresses the need for community based education, treatment programs, and support groups. He discusses the rights of youth, need for recreational facilities, relocation to a new and better village site, funding, community policing, language and culture issues.

Describes how six children were killed in a house fire while their parents were out at a Valentine's Day party. Duration: 1:36.