In pictures: Life among the Innu
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Two worlds collide
The Innu people of Labrador have been living on the eastern coast Canada for thousands of years.
Formerly nomadic hunter-gatherers, they now live in a village called Natuashish. Many say they feel caught between their traditional lifestyle and modern Canadian society.
While the village shop provides much of their food, some Innu still hunt. Animal antlers are usually left near the site of the kill, as a mark of respect. Here, they are slotted into a radio mast. -
Lifestyle changes
In less than a generation, the Innu's lifestyle has dramatically changed.
Young Kirby Piwas has always lived in a house, but his great-aunt spent most of her life living off the land in the countryside. -
Difficult conditions
The community was based in nearby Davis Inlet for more than 30 years, after the government built them houses there.
Although the Innu were promised a working village, most of the houses in Davis Inlet lacked indoor plumbing and central heating, and most were overcrowded. -
Big move
The community moved to Natuashish during the winter of 2002-2003. The small town, complete with its own airstrip, was purpose-built by the government. -
Modern times
The new homes have many of the modern amenities that North Americans take for granted.
For most of the families, it was the first time they had running water and central heating. -
Caribou hunt
Innu hunters now have snowmobiles and satellite navigation, but tracking herds of caribou still requires traditional knowledge.
If no caribou are to be found, they shoot partridge and – as a last resort – porcupine. -
Communal living
Butchering the animals is done at home. It is long, labourious work.
The fruits of the hunt are shared out, with the choicest pieces reserved for the communityÂ’s elders. -
Isolation
Many younger Innu do not identify with traditional lifestyles.
Natuashish is geographically isolated, and unemployment rates are high.
Some say boredom and frustation is behind the community's high rates of alcoholism, and that things would improve if people reconnected with the old ways. -
Troubled teens
A unknown number of children, some as young as nine but most in their teens, are addicted to sniffing petrol.
Drug abuse is also a problem.
A lack of drug and alcohol treatment facilities in the village means those seeking help have to leave the community, and often the province, too. -
High hopes
Since the move, Davis Inlet has been abandoned to the elements.
Some were hopeful that the Innu's problems would be left behind after the move, but locals say it will take much longer for the Innu's problems to be resolved.
Photographs by Dominick Tyler www.photojournalism.co.uk