The NunatuKavummiut are an Aboriginal people of Canada. They live in central to southern Labrador, and are of mixed Inuit and European heritage. They are unrelated to the Red River Metis of Western Canada, but may still be considered "Metis" in the widest sense of that word, being of mixed heritage. Nunatuĸavut or NunatuKavut means "Our ancient land" in the ancestral Inuttut dialect of the NunatuKavummuit. The Inuit region encompasses Southern Labrador, from the Grand River, South to Lodge Bay and West to the extent of the official border between Quebec and Labrador. However, the land use area is much more extensive.
Nomenclature
The exact term for NunatuKavut's people is uncertain. Historically, terms such as "half-breeds" or "settlers" were used. Terms today include "Inuit-Métis", "Southern Inuit" and "Kablunângajuit".
History
Arrival in southern Labrador
The people are the sole ancestors of the southern Inuit of Labrador who have, they claim, continuously occupied and used the region for almost a thousand years, long before the Government of Newfoundland made any real foray into the area in the early 20th century. According to one theory, the Inuit arrived in Labrador in the 15th century from Baffin Island. Archeological evidence shows they lived as far south as the Sandwich Bay area.
Contact with Europeans
The Inuit were in conflict with the Basque and French whalers beginning in the mid-1500s.
During the 19th century, some European men, settled, took Inuit wives, and permanently assimilated into the local culture. Although influenced in many ways by prolonged contact with seasonal workers and merchants, the culture and way of life has remained distinctly Inuit.
Distribution
NunatuKavut consists of a region of southern Labrador that encompasses communities from Lodge Bay to the communities located on the coast of Sandwich Bay. However, there are notable populations of people of mixed European and Inuit descent in other parts of Labrador too. Many Inuit in the southern parts of Nunatsiavut are descended from fur traders that worked in the region. NunatuKavut also has a large diaspora in many other parts of Labrador such as Happy Valley-Goose Bay and the communities located along the Strait of Belle Isle and NunatuKavut also has a large diaspora living on the island of Newfoundland. Many residents of the Quebec community of St. Augustine are also of Inuit and European descent.
Organization
The organization claiming to speak for the Labrador Inuit-Metis, was originally called the Labrador Métis Nation, and was formed in the early 1980s. In 2010 that group changed its name to Nunatukavut. They are members of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples along with other non-Status Aboriginal groups.
Land claim
The Labrador Inuit-Metis claim NunatuKavut as their homeland, and are in process of launching an Aboriginal land claim with the Canadian courts. They are also active in the debates over the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project, and the dam at Muskrat Falls.
