The Innu, a people of the Algonquian linguistic family, live for the most part in nine communities, mostly located on the North Shore of the St. Lawrence River. Today, over 16,000 Innu live in Quebec.
Innu means “human being” in the innu-aimun language, which is still very much used by members of the Nation. French colonists called the Innu the Montagnais.
Many Innu developed a major artistic practice, since numerous tourists started visiting their communities in the early 20th century, and they wanted to buy handicrafts. Today’s Innu artists sculpt, draw, compose music and write poetry.
Hunting and fishing are still part of the Innu way of life: the territory is rich in animals of all sorts, including caribou and salmon. The Innu also pick berries, such as cloudberry, and medicinal plants.