Natuashish | |
|---|---|
| Natuashish Indian Reserve No. 2 | |
  Natuashish Location in Newfoundland and Labrador. | |
| Coordinates: 55°55′00″N61°07′30″W / 55.91667°N 61.12500°W | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Newfoundland and Labrador |
| Settled | 2002 [1] |
| Government | |
| • Chief | Brian Serquira [2] |
| • Federal MP | Philip Earle (L) |
| • Provincial MHA | Lela Evans (PC) [3] |
| Population (2021) | |
• Total | 856 |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (AST) |
| Area code | 709 |
Natuashish is an Innu community in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The community is inhabited by the Mushuau Innu First Nation. Natuashish became a federal Indian reserve in 2003. [4] [5]
Natuashish (Little Sango Pond) [6] was established in 2002 as a planned community in the hopes of resolving the social problems that had plagued the prior community of Davis Inlet, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) away. [7] [8] [9] The population of Natuashish at the 2021 Census was 856, down from 938 in 2016. [10]
Initial reports suggested that the Canadian government's plan of renewal and healing had been a failure, as the community was still plagued with alcohol and drug abuse. The government was accused of creating a system overburdened with bureaucracy, and not adequately addressing the issues. The local tribal band was accused of corruption, as was proven in a 2005 CBC News report in which it was shown that the leadership was trafficking drugs and other illicit substances to maintain power. [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]
The community's attempt to resolve its problem with alcoholism led to a ban on the sale, purchase, and possession of alcohol within the reserve. The bylaw was originally passed in 2008 by a margin of two votes. [16] [17] The prohibition bylaw was upheld in a subsequent referendum held in the community in March 2010. [18]
The community has continued to struggle with drug abuse and youth boredom. [19] [20] As recently as 2017, gas sniffing by youths has been a notable issue. [21]
Natuashish is inaccessible by road and may be reached only by air or sea. [22] The community is served by the Natuashish Airport. [23]
