Natuashish
Natuashish is an Innu community in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The community is inhabited by the Mushuau Innu First Nation.
Natuashish (Little Sango Pond)[1] 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 km away.[2] The population of Natuashish from 2006 Census is 706.
Initially, reports suggested that the Canadian government's plan of renewal and healing had been a failure. 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.[3]
The community's attempt to resolve its problem with alcoholism has led to a ban on the sale, purchase, and possession of alcohol within the community. The bylaw was originally passed in 2008 by a margin of only two votes.[4] The prohibition bylaw was upheld in a subsequent referendum held in the community in March 2010.[5]
The community is served by the Natuashish Airport.
References
- ↑ Claude Rocheleau, Heritage Study for Utshimassit Community Relocation Project, Sango Bay, Labrador, Phase 2
- ↑ "Davis Inlet Innu get new home."
- ↑ CBC, "From Davis Inlet to Natuashish", February 14, 2005
- ↑ CBC, "Labrador Innu village votes for booze ban", February 1, 2008
- ↑ CBC, "Natuashish votes to keep alcohol ban", March 26, 2010
Coordinates: 55°55′1.8″N 61°7′31″W / 55.917167°N 61.12528°W