Joint Information Update
The relocation of the Mushuau Innu of Davis Inlet to the new community of Natuashish

(December 11, 2002) – Together the Mushuau Innu Band Council (MIBC) and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) have resolved a number of the key issues concerning the relocation of the Mushuau Innu of Davis Inlet to the new community of Natuashish.

The relocation will be a phased relocation with community members moving into their new homes as they pass inspection. Subject to the release of the homes by Davis Engineering, the new community's construction contractor, the first 50 families are expected to move in to their new homes during the first phase from December 14 to 20. In the new year, with the return of construction workers on January 6, 2003, more families will move to their homes as they are completed and inspected. According to the contractor, it is anticipated that 133 homes will be completed by the end of March 2003.

Starting immediately in the new year, INAC will work with the MIBC to determine additional housing requirements to accommodate all the Mushuau Innu now living in Davis Inlet. INAC will use best efforts to obtain the necessary authorities and to identify the funds required to build the additional homes during the summer of 2003.

During this transition period, essential community services will be available to all Mushuau Innu whether they are located in Davis Inlet or Natuashish. They are:

• The current Davis Inlet store will continue to operate normally and a temporary store has been established in Natuashish for residents there.
• Airport and hydro services will continue to be fully functional in both communities.
• RCMP will provide additional police services during the first phase of the move and will maintain its detachment in Davis Inlet until a majority of the community has relocated. At that time, the new Natuashish detachment will be opened. Additional officers will be available to provide patrols in both communities.
• Emergency medical services to Happy Valley/Goose Bay will be available by air from both the current Davis Inlet airport and the new airport at Natuashish. The new clinic will be opening in Natuashish early in the new year from which all front line medical services will be offered. The acquisition of a new 20 seat snow-cat is planned which will be available to transfer people back and forth from the clinic as needed. In addition two paramedics will be available as needed in either community.
• For those students living in Natuashish, the new school is scheduled to open after the Christmas break. Efforts are being made to recruit substitute teachers and to maintain certain teachers currently at Davis Inlet to continue teaching there in order to enable the Davis Inlet school to continue to function during the transition period.
• Operation and maintenance of Natuashish will utilize qualified Innu workers to the greatest extent possible. The MIBC will retain a qualified firm or firms, with preference for Mushuau Innu firms, in consultation with INAC, to provide these services once the current project manager has completed the project.
• Chief Simeon Tshakapesh and Cajetan Rich, Director General of MIRC will hold regular open houses at the Davis Inlet MIRC offices in order to answer any questions community members may have concerning the relocation.

Both the Mushuau Innu and INAC agree to continue working together to ensure a safe and complete move as soon as possible and to address issues as they arise.

Mushuau Innu Band Council - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

For more information, contact:

Debbi Ackles Adams
INAC Media Relations
(902) 661-6372

Chief Simeon Tshakapesh
Mushuau Innu Band Council
(709) 478-8827

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