This is the Innu community of Davis Inlet, or Utshimassits. The Innu are a hunting culture, and never lived
in villages before the arrival of Europeans. Even up to 50 years ago, they spent only a few months in the
coastal areas to trade with the Europeans.
The Mushau Innu, who traditionally spent more time in the northern part of Nitassinan, were moved three times into new settlements. The most recent move, in 1967, was to an island. This relocation took place at a time when new hydro-electric dams, resource development and military base expansion were all damaging the Innu's traditional way of life. Promises of housing and development were not carried out, and the community was left stranded. Especially damaging were the obstacles to hunting caribou, which is a mainstay of their diet and integral to their culture. Although there are plans to move the community again to the mainland, this is expected to take several years.