Aboriginal community relocation: The Naskapi of northeastern Quebec

This thesis is an investigation of the long term impacts of voluntary or community-initiated aboriginal community relocations. The focus of the paper is the Naskapi relocation from Matimekosh to Kawawachikamach, concentrating on the social, cultural, political, economic and health impacts the relocation has had on the community. Results are based on a literature review, participant observation, and 40 in-depth interviews with members of the Naskapi band. The field work was conducted over a three week period in November 1997 in the Naskapi Village of Kawawachikamach, Quebec. The results indicate that the relocation has had a number of positive impacts which have led to significant improvements in the community. However, the relocation has not solved all of the community's problems and the negative impacts need to be acknowledged. The results of the study have been incorporated into a number of recommendations for use in future aboriginal community relocations.