NunatuKavut people

The NunatuKavummiut (also called the people of NunatuKavut, Labrador Metis or Inuit-metis) are an Aboriginal people of Canada. They live in central to southern Labrador, and are of mixed Inuit and European heritage. They are unrelated to the Red River Métis of Western Canada, and not considered "Métis".

This article is about the ethnic group. For their proposed autonomous area, see NunatuKavut.
People of NunatuKavut (NunatuKavummiut)
Regions with significant populations
Languages
Newfoundland English, Inuttut
Religion
Protestant, Evangelical Christianity, Animism.
Related ethnic groups
Inuit peoples

Nunatuĸavut or NunatuKavut means "Our ancient land" in the ancestral Inuttut dialect of the NunatuKavummuit. The Inuit region encompasses Southern Labrador, from the Grand River (Newfoundland name: Churchill River), South to Lodge Bay and West to the extent of the official border between Quebec and Labrador. However, the land use area is much more extensive.[1]

Nomenclature

The exact term for NunatuKavut's people is uncertain. Historically, terms such as "half-breeds" or "settlers" were used (the former was also commonly used to refer to the Métis).[2] Terms today include "Inuit-Métis", "Southern Inuit" and "Kablunângajuit".

History

Arrival in southern Labrador

The people are claimed to be the sole ancestors of the southern Inuit of Labrador who have continuously occupied and used the region for almost a thousand years, long before the Government of Newfoundland made any real foray into the area in the early 20th century.[3]

According to one theory, the Inuit arrived in Labrador in the 15th century from Baffin Island. Archeological evidence shows they lived as far south as the Sandwich Bay (Newfoundland and Labrador) area.[4]

Contact with Europeans

The Inuit were in conflict with the Basque and French whalers beginning in the mid-1500s.

Treaty of 1765

Following the defeat of France in the Seven Years' War, Britain laid claim to Labrador. The British governor of Newfoundland Sir Hugh Palliser signed a treaty with the southern Labrador Inuit in 1765.[5]

Marriage between Europeans and Inuit

During the 19th century, some European men, settled, took Inuit wives, and permanently assimilated into the local culture. Although influenced in many ways by prolonged contact with seasonal workers and merchants, the culture and way of life has remained distinctly Inuit.[6]

Distribution
Map with the location of the main NunatuKavut communities

NunatuKavut consists of a region of southern Labrador that encompasses communities from Lodge Bay (located on the Lodge River) to the communities located on the coast of Sandwich Bay (Paradise River and Cartwright). However, there are notable populations of people of mixed European and Inuit descent in other parts of Labrador too. Many Inuit in the southern parts of Nunatsiavut are descended from fur traders that worked in the region. NunatuKavut also has a large diaspora in many other parts of Labrador such as Happy Valley-Goose Bay and the communities located along the Strait of Belle Isle and NunatuKavut also has a large diaspora living on the island of Newfoundland. Many residents of the Quebec community of St. Augustine (known officially as "Saint-Augustin") are also of Inuit and European descent.[7]

Organization

The organization claiming to speak for the Labrador Inuit-Metis, was originally called the Labrador Métis Nation, and was formed in the early 1980s. In 2010 that group changed its name to Nunatukavut (the same as the territory they claim).[8] They are members of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples along with other non-Status Aboriginal groups.[9]

Land claim

The people of NunatuKavut, claim NunatuKavut as their homeland, and are in process of launching an Aboriginal land claim with the Canadian courts. They are also active in the debates over the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project, and the dam at Muskrat Falls.[10]

See also

Further reading

References
  1. The forgotten Labrador (Cleophas Belvin; ISBN 0-7735-3151-3; (bound))
  2. Kennedy, John C. (2016). "Being and becoming Inuit in Labrador". Études/Inuit/Studies. 39: 225–242. doi:10.7202/1036085ar.
  3. The Story of Labrador by Bill Rompkey Publisher: Montreal : McGill-Queen's University Press, 2003. ISBN 0-7735-2574-2 DDC: 971.82 LCC: FC2149.4 Edition: (bound)
  4. "Southern Inuit of NunatuKavut: The Historical Background".
  5. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-15. Retrieved 2012-09-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. Royal Commission White Paper on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada
  7. http://www.thelowernorthshore.com/lns/images/d/d1/St-Augustin_Hab-1-.pdf
  8. "Labrador's Métis Nation adopts new name | CBC News". CBC News. 2010-04-13.
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-11-05. Retrieved 2012-11-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-10-06. Retrieved 2012-09-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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