Well-Being Baseline Study Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach –March 2014

This study was modelled after Peter Siebenmorgan and Dr. Ben Bradshaw’s successful work in Northern Ontario. I would like to express my appreciation to the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach, the band office, the development corporation, the McGill Subarctic Research Station, and Atmacinta. Many thanks must go to the steering committee, their willingness to give their time so generously has been greatly appreciated.The Naskapi Nation is a small, isolated Aboriginal community located in northern Quebec near the Labrador Border. Reachable only by air and rail, the community has been affected by major mineral development. Due to the rich mineral area surrounding the community extractive companies have begun to implement plans for further development. This has raised local concerns regarding the range of environmental and socio-economic impacts that may be caused by continued development. The degree of current and proposed mineral activity near Kawawachikamach, and its related impacts upon the Naskapi, has created a necessity to produce a tool to track community well-being over time. This need is best accomplished by using community members at each step and indicators that are meaningful as well as relevant. More than simply describing community change from mining, this evidence establishes a footing for the community; it allows the chief and council to re-examine partnerships, negotiations, and make changes where appropriate. Time series evidence first begins with a baseline of well-being.Study was made possible through funding by the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach, the MRC Caniapiscau’s Pacte Rural Program, Mitacs accelerate internship grant, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)