In the last two years, the Mushuau Innu have made progress in addressing serious health and safety issues in Davis Inlet. The Innu efforts have been led by the Mushuau Innu Renewal Committee (MIRC) and the Mushuau Innu Band Council (MIBC). Formed in 1993, the MIRC is comprised of the Chief, the Band Council, and community members. It is responsible for the management of all projects related to emergency measures, relocation planning, and health and healing within the community of Davis Inlet. Various representatives of the federal government and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador have regularly participated in MIRC discussions.

Since the Innu acknowledged the federal Statement of Political Commitments in April 1994, they have worked in partnership with the federal government to accelerate the renewal of their community of approximately 535 people.

As a result, there have been many physical improvements to the community, including new houses and extensive renovations to existing homes. Progress has been made on installing temporary water and sewage systems. A women's centre has been completed and a drop-in centre, administered by the youth council, has been constructed. To date approximately 75 Innu have received construction trade training. As well, alcoholism and solvent abuse have decreased.

In March 1995, the Innu signed an interim policing agreement with the RCMP which provides for greater Innu involvement in the policing of the community. On May 2, 1995 an agreement was reached between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Band Council, and the Innu Nation on the return of the provincial court to Davis Inlet. Under the terms of this agreement, in conjunction with the return of the court, a task force was created to examine justice initiatives for the Innu communities of Davis Inlet and Sheshatshiu. The task force is comprised of representatives of the community and the provincial and federal government.

Representatives of the provincial court returned to the community of Davis Inlet on May 12, 1995. Newfoundland's chief provincial court judge met with the Band Council to establish a schedule for court sessions during the coming year. The circuit court commenced hearing cases in the community on May 23, 1995.

In the last five years, the federal government has spent approximately $26 million in Davis Inlet and the provincial government has spent approximately $7 million. (See tables for break down.) The federal government believes this money has been well-spent on renewing a community that was in crisis.

The following are activities that are underway or were completed by the end of fiscal year 1994-95.

HOUSING

Innu work crews have completed 11 new homes.

All these units are shingled and built to R-2000 standard with double insulated walls (R-30) and ceilings with blown insulation (R-40). They can be moved to a new site when the community is relocated.

Thirty-eight houses have new airtight stoves. The majority of houses now have airtight stoves.

REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS

There are approximately 90 houses in Davis Inlet. Sixty houses have been renovated and more renovations are planned for 1995.

These repairs include roofing, installing new doors and windows, insulation, skirting around foundations and installing new airtight stoves, as well as constructing extensions to existing homes that were required by Elders.

Seventy-five Innu have been employed in the housing project. There were eight work crews, five of which were led by Innu supervisors.

WATER AND SEWER

The community well has been upgraded by adding a 1,000-gallon reservoir for a truck delivery system.

Potable water and sewer storage units were installed in the six new housing units built in 1993. The five houses built in 1994 have small septic systems and piped water, as do the Band office, the drop-in centre, and the women's centre.

A large trench was excavated to dispose of sewage and "black water" hygienically. ("Black water" is coliform-infected water.)

YOUTH COUNCIL

A community youth council was set up and is working to improve youth leadership skills, enhance relations with Elders, provide recreational activities, and support the young people who received addictions treatment.

A recreation consultant was hired from September 1993 to February 1994.

DROP-IN CENTRE

A drop-in facility, administered by the youth council, has been constructed.

WOMEN'S CENTRE

A women's centre has been established in a renovated building.

TRAINING

The Department of Human Resources Development has provided funding for training related to the skills required for new construction and housing repairs.

To date approximately 75 Innu have received construction trade training and 36 have received craft training.

PROJECT MANAGER

A project manager has been hired and works with the Mushuau Innu Renewal Committee.

FINANCIAL COMPTROLLER

A financial comptroller has been hired and is on the job.

FIRE PROTECTION

DIAND and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency have each provided $40,000, for a total of $80,000. Five Innu have received training from the Office of the Provincial Fire Commissioner.

HEALING

In February 1993, 18 young solvent abusers and about 30 family members and interpreters were funded by Health Canada to attend a six-month treatment program at Poundmakers, an addiction treatment centre in Alberta. They returned to Labrador in September 1993 where they spent one month at a wilderness camp at Sango Bay. Elders and counsellors also spent two weeks in Davis Inlet with the children and their families. In the summer and fall of 1994, two Poundmaker counsellors provided aftercare services to these and other youth in Davis Inlet. Funding was provided through the Brighter Futures Program, an early intervention program for children at risk on-reserve and in Inuit and northern communities.

Health Canada is currently providing extra funding to Davis Inlet for their National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP). Funding for 1994-95 and 1995-96 enables four counsellors to work with the program.

Some 28 Innu from Davis Inlet and Sheshatshiu, including the NNADAP counsellors, graduated in March 1995 from a training program offered by the Nechi Institute and funded by Human Resources Development. The training focused on addictions and related social problems, counselling skills and community development. The program ran in modules over two-and-a-half years and alternated between sites in Davis Inlet and Sheshatshiu.

In 1994-95 Health Canada funded two psychologists to provide personal and professional support to Innu trainees. The psychologists have also provided services to other community members. Funds will be available to continue the service in 1995-96.

In 1994 Health Canada provided approximately $300,000 to fund a pilot holistic healing program which incorporated a traditional Innu perspective. A six-week program was designed, delivered and evaluated by the Innu. A second program was held in April/May 1995. Health Canada has agreed to provide an additional $480,000 for the healing program in 1995-96.

In 1994-95 approximately $100,000 was provided to fund a Healing Services Coordination program. An additional $100,000 in funding is also being provided in 1995-96.

In addition to the funding outlined above, Health Canada provides regular funding for the NNADAP and community health services (community health representative services, health administration). The Innu are also receiving regular funding under Brighter Futures and a new initiative entitled Building Healthy Communities (mental health, solvent abuse and home care nursing).

Table B: Provincial Funding
Provincial Funding	1991-92	1992-93	1993-94	1994-95	1995-96	Total
Contribution Agreement Funding	$330,000	$330,000	$330,000	$330,000	$330,000	$1,650,000
Regular Educational & Social	1,100,000	1,100,000	1,100,000	1,100,000	1,100,000	5,500,000
TOTAL PROVINCIAL FUNDING						$7,150,000

August 1995

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