Governance

We, the Naskapi people have occupied the land of what is now northern Quebec and Labrador since time immemorial. Our ancestors were nomads, living off the land and following the caribou herds on which they depended for resources. In the 1950s, our way of life changed when most of the Naskapi people moved from Fort Chimo to the Schefferville region. The move to our actual location of Kawawachikamach took place in the early 1980s.

The Naskapi Band of Québec was created in 1984 by the Naskapi Act, making us and Cree communities the first self-governing bands in Canada. Our name changed to the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach in 1999. The Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach has the mandate, through its council and employees, to govern, manage, offer services to its members and promote development while preserving a unique culture and language. Our history is an important part of our identity and we must continually work on preserving our culture by practicing it and ensuring that we pass it down to our future generations.

Chief & Council:

Training and Employment, Emergency Preparedness, Culture & Language

Vision:

A unique Nation proudly working together towards autonomy, prosperity and cultural longevity.

Mission:

Empowering our Nation by providing services and opportunities to our members, building capacity through education, language, culture and leadership for a brighter future.

Values:

Respect
Well-being
Accountability
Resiliency
Empowerment

Naskapi Self-Government

The NNK is currently in negotiations with Canada in creating our own self-governance agreement and to be a fully self-governing Nation. Technically, we are considered self-governing under the Naskapi Act, but this is a system that was imposed on the Naskapi Nation and not one that was created in the best interest of the Naskapi people. We have the opportunity to create something that is meant for us and most importantly created by the Naskapi people. The Naskapi people have evolved through many drastic changes since contact. We have lost many of our traditional ways of being and knowing but together, we can bring back our traditions.

The Naskapi Nation will need the Naskapi’s input and involvement in creating our constitution and practicing our right to self-determination. There is still a lot of work to be done but it is important work. For more information on Naskapi Self-Governance and to be part of this initiative, please visit NNK SELF GOVERNANCE ENGAGEMENT

Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach Office

Stella Pien
Director General

Edward Shecanapish
Band Treasurer

Annie Nattawappio
Travel Coordinator

Trisha Bacon
Special Projects Coordinator

Willie Swappie
Social Assistance Program Administrator

Louise J. Mameanskum
Director of Office operations

Maggie Swappie
Accounts Payable

Melissa Peastitute
Accounts Payable Assistant

Mary Guanish
Receptionist

Martha Sandy
Janitor

Donna Marie Sandy
Communications Officer

Lazarus Swappie
Justice Coordinator

Jessica Chemaganish
Naskapi Relief Services Coordinator

George Guanish
Naskapi Translator

Louise M. Mameanskum
Naskapi Training Officer

Jimmy Shecanapish
Business and Economic Development Officer

Minnie Chemaganish
Outreach Officer

Caroline Einish
Community Engagement Coordinator

Chief and Council

Chief Theresa Chemaganish
Intergovernmental Affairs

Deputy Chief Louise Nattawappio
Intergovernmental Affairs, Health and Social Services, Youth and Women Issues

Councillor Ronald Tooma
Police/Justice, Recreation, Hunter Support Committee

Councillor Jeremy Einish
Environment, Hunting, Fishing, Trapping Rights, Economic Development, Community Members (including Housing), Hunter Support Committee

Councillor Stephen Noah Mameanskum
Environment, Hunting, Fishing, Trapping Rights, Police/Justice, Education

Councillor David Swappie
Environment, Hunting, Fishing, Trapping Rights, Hunter Support Committee
Chief & Council: Training and Employment, Emergency Preparedness, Culture & Language