INNU NATION IN NOVA SCOTIA

THIS WEBSITE IS ABOUT PLACE INNU PLACE NAMES IN LABRADOR. PEOPLE OF EVERY CULTURE GIVE NAMES TO PLACES, RIVERS, LANDS, ETC.

FOR ABORIGINAL PEOPLE GIVE INFORMATION FOR HUNTING AND FISHING, OR THEY DESCRIBE THE LAND IN SOME WAY THAT HELPS PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE TRAVELING. AN EXAMPLE FROM LABRADOR INNU IS KUKAMSSAT KATAHT MEANING "WHERE THERE ARE TROUT".

THEY GIVE PEOPLE DIRECTION ABOUT WHERE TO GO BY USING PLACE NAMES. IMAGINE TRYING TO TELL PEOPLE WHERE TO GO WITHOUT HAVING NAMES OF RIVERS. THESE NAMES ARE USED WHEN TELLING STORIES ABOUT PEOPLES EXPERIENCES ON THE LAND. THE NAMES OF PLACES MAY RECORD SIGNIFICANT EVENTS SUCH AS BIRTHS , DEATHS, AND BURIAL LOCATIONS, CAMPSITES, OR CANOE MAKING, SALMON SPEARING, TRAPPING, PORCUPINE SINGING, CARIBOU HUNTING, AND OTHER FORMS OF LAND USE TOOK PLACE. ASHTUNKNIK, IS THE INNU NAME FOR SMEGANOOK LAKE.

ANOTHER IMMU EXAMPLE IS KAUIPUSHKAKAMAT, WHICH MEANS "BURNT AREA LAKE". THESE NAMES GIVE ARCHAEOLOGISTS CLUES TO IMMU LIFE DURING FUR TRADE PERIOD AS WELL AS BEFORE CONTACT WITH THE ANGLOS. THEY HELP THEM FIND ANCIENT SITES.

SOME PLACE NAMES REFER TO RELIGIOUS EVENTS. AN INNU PLACE WITH GREAT RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE WAS ON AN ISLAND NAMED AFTER AN OLD SHAMAN WITH A LONG NAME. PLACE NAMES ARE IMPORTANT FOR A PEOPLE'S SENSE OF PLACE.

IN 2004, PETER ARMITAGE, AND SEVERAL PEOPLE ANOTHER PROJECT FOR MAPPING THEIR AREA. AND THEN THEY PUT IT TOGETHER DIGITALLY USING MAP INFORMATION WITH GIS.

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