Who We Are

The NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) is the representative governing body for approximately 6,000 Inuit of south and central Labrador. NunatuKavut means “Our Ancient Land” and refers to our territory. NCC was officially formed as a society in 1981 and incorporated under provincial law in 1985. NCC exists to promote and ensure the basic human rights of its members as NunatuKavut Inuit, and the collective recognition of these rights by all levels of government.

NCC is an affiliate of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, a national Indigenous representative body. NCC holds special consultative status with the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Our Story

Our people lived in Labrador long before Europeans set foot on North American soil. As it was in times of old, and still today, we are deeply connected to the land, sea and ice that make up NunatuKavut, our home.

For hundreds of years, we controlled the coast of Labrador. The rugged coastlines and the interior waterways were home to our families who lived off the land and sea. We had our own way of making decisions, we respected all things around us and we thrived. It was our way.

Over time, there were temporary visits by fishermen and explorers, people who wanted our resources: the fish, seal, whale and fur-bearing animals. Strife and warfare marked our early encounters and many of our people lost their lives, as did the Europeans. In 1765, a treaty called the British-Inuit Treaty of 1765 was reached to end the hostilities. Some European men from the Old World chose to remain on our lands and survived in our territory because of the knowledge and skills of the Inuit of NunatuKavut.

As time went on, there was intermarriage and our way of life began to change dramatically. Like all Indigenous peoples in Canada, we too, suffered the effects of colonialism. Outsiders pillaged our resources, brought their own form of government, denied our language and many of our people experienced resettlement and residential schools.

And yet, we survived. We built our communities. And still hold fast to our traditional territory. For centuries, our way of life has sustained us and our sense of identity has made us stronger. We have brought back the Kullik (a traditional seal oil lamp) and our drum. We celebrate our dog sledding tradition and we feel proud. Our traditions resonate with the ways of our Elders.

We are 6,000 strong. We know who we are and what we’ve accomplished. Our Inuit rights are protected and enshrined in the Constitution of Canada. All of us must respect and honour these rights.

WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE. THIS IS OUR HOME.