[June 4, 2004] – In June 2001 the Government of Canada, represented by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Health Canada and the Solicitor General, initiated the Labrador Innu Comprehensive Healing Strategy, often referred to as the Healing Strategy. The Labrador Innu Comprehensive Healing Strategy is a joint holistic approach that moves beyond dealing with symptoms to addressing root causes. Seeking to develop new ways of looking at health services, social programs, governance, education and policing, the primary goals of the strategy are to restore health and hope, create strong communities and focus on building a future for the Innu communities.

Progress to date on the implementation of the Healing Strategy includes:

• The construction of a new community in Natuashish and the relocation of the Mushuau Innu to this new community.
  
• Band creation for both the Mushuau Innu First Nation and the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation and the registration of their members.
  
• Reserve creation at Natuashish for the Mushuau Innu First Nation.
  
• Social programs are in place to help the Innu adjust to their new community and begin addressing social healing within their communities.
  
• Establishment by Health Canada of the Labrador Health Secretariate.
  
• The development and implementation of country treatment and aftercare programs in both Innu communities.
  
• Implementation of new community-based health programming.
  
• Increased attendance in schools.
  
• Capacity development co-ordinators have been hired and are working in both Natuashish and Sheshatshiu.
  
• Delivery of crime prevention projects in both Innu communities.
  
• Progress continues on land claim negotiations.
  
• Ground breaking on the new combined RCMP detachment and health facility in Sheshatshiu.
  
• Ongoing dialogue between the Government of Canada, the Labrador Innu and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador to establish long-term, self-administered, dedicated, culturally sensitive RCMP First Nations Community Policing Agreements for the Mushuau and Sheshatshiu Innu, as part of the First Nations Policing Policy.

It is important to remember that there are no quick solutions to the challenges facing the Innu and the Government of Canada is committed to providing sustained support over time. The long-term goal is to help the Innu build capacity within their communities to deliver and manage their own community programs and services.

For further information contact INAC Communications at (902) 661-6372.

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