Text and photos : Rick MacLeod Farley
Kamestastin Lodge is a unique and rewarding Aboriginal ecotourism adventure destination located deep in the interior of northern Labrador. Kamestastin Lodge is situated on the shores of Kamestastin Lake, in the midst of the spring and fall migration path of the world’s largest herd of caribou, the “George River Caribou Herd”.
The nearest roads or settlements are one hundred kilometres to the east on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, three hundred kilometres to the south at Goose Bay, or one hundred and fifty kilometres to the west in Quebec.
Year-round, caribou can be found on the surrounding landscape along with black bear, moose, wolves, foxes, lynx and marten. A variety of birds reside here including ptarmigan, snowy owl and raven. Endangered or threatened bird species maintain healthy breeding populations here, including Gyrfalcon and Eastern Harlequin Duck. Spring heralds the return of various waterfowl, songbirds and various hawks, owls and eagles.
Kamestastin Lake is situated in an isolated, northern tundra region of Labrador that is both stark and beautiful. The in-land lake was originally created by a meteor. It is the one of the largest 30 known meteor craters in the world, with a diameter of 28 kilometres. The archaeological record of Kamestastin Lake has been explored since the early 1990’s with the Smithsonian Institution. Several early “Maritime Archaic” sites have been identified, including the location of a 5,000 year old dwelling and spear points for hunting caribou.
As a guest of Kamestastin Lodge, opening July 2006, you will have various packages to choose from, including Caribou Migration Viewing, and Innu Country Custom Excursions. All offerings are oriented to the seasons and weather, the extensive wildlife, and the rich history and culture of the Innu. The caribou presence is pervasive, with archaeological sites clustered at ancient caribou lake crossing sites, and caribou antlers spotted across the rocky landscape. Recent Innu camp sites are often adorned with caribou antlers hung in trees to please the caribou god Kanapanakasikueu.
The Caribou Migration Viewing packages are scheduled from May 1st to May 15th, and October 14th to November 1st each year. These are generally the peak dates, but the caribou set their own schedule and tend to migrate past Kamestastin Lodge over a 4-6 week period each spring and fall.
The Innu Country Custom Excursions has two offerings ; Innu Culture and Innu Adventure. The Innu Culture trips focus on the traditional land and water activities of the Innu, including cultural teachings on language, society and local history. At times during the summer, guests may also be able to join in with archaeology research activities. The Innu Adventure trips focus on lodge-based soft adventure activities. This includes wildlife viewing and canoeing, kayaking, hiking or cross-country skiing. Snowshoeing is a unique and rewarding experience on the traditional, hand-made Innu snowshoes that are circular in shape.
Innu Country Expeditions can also be arranged for groups in advance by inquiry. This is hard adventure at it’s northern best, involving long distance travel by snow machine, cross-country skiing, hiking, canoeing or kayaking. Kamestastin Lodge will usually be your base camp or your destination, with Innu guides, cultural interpretation, supplies and camping support all provided.
Kamestastin Lodge’s beautiful central lodge is a ten sided log structure with the dining area overlooking the shore of Kamestastin Lake and the caribou migration path. The central lodge was constructed by community members under the guidance of volunteer, Mennonite log home builders from Ontario and Saskatchewan. There are five guest cabins and a double guest room located in the lodge for a total guest capacity of twelve, and groups will range in size from four to twelve.
The Kamestastin Lodge accommodations are rustic but comfortable, with interior design and furnishings reflecting Innu culture and the environment. Guest amenities include hot showers and compost toilets. Dining features excellent cuisine highlighting locally harvested fish, meat and berries.
Location
Access to Kamestastin Lodge is generally by air charter flight via Twin Otter. The package pricing reflects flights from Happy Valley - Goose Bay, Newfoundland & Labrador. The flight distance is 212 nautical miles. Kamestastin Lodge has a landing strip.
Other air charter flight options may include Nain on the eastern coast of Labrador, or from Schefferville, Quebec
Contact
Primary Contact (English Language)
Anthony Jenkinson or Napes Ashini
P.O. Box 412, Sheshashit, NL A0P 1MO Canada
Telephone : 709-497-8189
Fax : 709-497-8157
E-mail : shaputuan@nf.aibn.com
E-mail to Rick MacLeod Farley : macfar@nt.net ; rickmf@macfar.ca
Internet : www.tshikapisk.ca
Jean Pierre Ashini
Tshikapisk Foundation, Shetshatshiu,
Labrador, Canada A0P 1M0
or Sebastien Piwas
Tshikapisk Foundation, Natuashish ; Labrador
E-mail us at : shaputuan@nf-aibn.com
Cultural & background information
The Innu’s Tshikapisk Foundation has developed Kamestastin Lodge in order to provide a ‘beacon of hope’ and positive employment options for their community members, especially the youth, of Natuashish (formerly Davis Inlet) and Sheshatshit.
Well known for their struggles against low-level, military flight testing, the Labrador Innu communities are overcoming a colonial history of residential schools and outside government control over their lives. Through this tourism venture, Tshikapisk seeks to strengthen Innu cultural foundations, while sharing their culture and territory with guests from around the world.
Book reference
A Way of Life that does not exist : Canada and the Extinguishment of the Innu. May 2003 by Colin Samson (Professor of Sociology and the Director of American Studies at the University of Essex in Colchester, England) Brings to light the scale of the tragedies that have hit the Innu, giving rise to international human rights concerns. Although the Innu have lost land and lives in the attempts to assimilate them, many have also resisted … by maintaining a resilient belief in their distinctiveness and their attachment to the land.
Recommended Package
Kamestastin Lodge package prices for the Caribou Migration Viewing and the Innu Country Custom Excursions are per person including all meals, activities and services, ranging from $400-600 Canadian (or about $330-500 US) per day for seven day packages. These costs include group flights from Goose Bay, Labrador. Daily rates will be reduced for fourteen day packages or for those who provide their own transportation to Kamestastin Lake.