THE NASKAPIS

The Naskapi are part of the Algonquian linguistic family. They account for nearly 600 souls in Quebec, of which most part live on-reserve. They have signed the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement in 1978. Their territory is located North of Schefferville, close to Labrador. There is only one Naskapi community in Quebec: Kawawachikamach. The Naskapi were a nomadic people who survived almost entirely from caribou, from seal and migratory bird hunting, as well as from ice fishing. Agriculture could not be practiced on these northern lands.

Did you know that the Naskapi once inhabited Fort-Chimo and that they went through a great famine, in 1949 ?

• A Development Corporation to optimize progress

A DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO
OPTIMIZE PROGRESS
By Annabelle Dionne

The Naskapi Development Corporation was instituted in 1979 to manage the funds stemming from the Northeastern Quebec Agreement and to form various partnerships. Since the implementation of the Corporation, various projects have emerged and allowed the Naskapi to take part in their own development.

"The prospects in remote areas are limited", said the Director General, Judy Ross. The challenge is much more formidable under such conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Naskapi Development Corporation employs about thirty people, among which 75% are Naskapi. Today, there is a much more vast array of career opportunities. In Kawawachikamach, where the Corporation's head office is located, the department of linguistic and cultural development created a Naskapi- English-French lexicon and is currently working on a grammar and compiling legends and traditional knowledge. The members are also translating documents and conducting research on the history of the Naskapi. The Development Corporation also manages the Manikin shopping center, which includes a grocery store, a restaurant and a postal outlet, in addition to managing the community radio station.

The Naskapi Development Corporation also manages the Tuktu Hunting and Fishing Club, which includes 22 outfitting operations north of Schefferville, as well as the Adoshaouna construction company, that effectuates major road maintenance projects north of James Bay in collaboration with Hydro-Québec and oversees the renovation of buildings, in particular in Schefferville. "This diversity in job creation has allowed the Naskapi to acquire certain skills and make a name for themselves", said Ms. Ross.

One of the large projects that the Naskapi Development Corporation is considering is the creation of a Native training center. "This center would offer training in direct correlation with employment possibilities within the communities", stated the Director General. For example, a Native construction trade school could open soon in a pilot project capacity and Natives from every First Nation would have an opportunity to receive refresher training on construction sites. They could also train to become guides for outfitting operations.

"Those who have not completed high school will also have a chance to attend equivalency courses and thus possess the prerequisites required for these jobs", she added, given the difficulties involved with post-secondary studies for several communities that are quite a distance from large centers. "Several Natives do not have access to post-secondary studies in their region and must leave their community to study in a completely different environment from that of their culture." The acquisition of skills and job creation will always remain a major concern for the Naskapi Development Corporation.

The Abenakis / The Algonquins / The Attikameks / The Crees
The Hurons-Wendat / The Malecites / The Micmacs
The Mohawks / The Montagnais / The Naskapis / The Inuits