Natuashish

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.[2][3]

Natuashish
Indian reserve
Natuashish Indian Reserve No. 2
Natuashish Location in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Coordinates: 55°55′00″N 61°07′30″W
Country	Canada
Province	Newfoundland and Labrador
Settled	2002 [1]
Government
• Chief	John Nui
• Federal MP	Yvonne Jones (L)
• Provincial MHA	Lela Evans (NDP)
Population  (2021)
• Total	856
Time zone	UTC-4 (AST)
Area code	709

Natuashish (Little Sango Pond)[4] 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.[5] The population of Natuashish at the 2021 Census was 856, down from 938 in 2016.[6]

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 issue. The local tribal band was accused of corruption, as was shown in a 2005 CBC report in which it was shown that the leadership was trafficking drugs and other illicit substances to maintain power.[7][8][9][10][11]

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.[12][13] The prohibition bylaw was upheld in a subsequent referendum held in the community in March 2010.[14]

The community continues to struggle with drug abuse and youth boredom.[15][16] As recently as 2017 gas sniffing by youths has been a notable issue.[17]

Natuashish is inaccessible by road and may be reached only by air or sea.[18] The community is served by the Natuashish Airport.[19]