Naskapi
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A language of Canada
1,210 (2016 census). Ethnic population: 1,300 (2017 N. Jancewicz). 900 Western Naskapi, 400 Eastern Naskapi.
Newfoundland and Labrador provinces: Natuashish on the mainland, an isolated community in Labrador (Eastern Naskapi dialect); Quebec province: Kawawachikamach about 10 km northeast of Schefferville at watershed (Western Naskapi dialect).
4 (Educational). Language of recognized indigenous peoples: Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach.
Western Naskapi (Kawawachikamach), Eastern Naskapi (Mushua Innu, Natuashish).
Literacy rate in L1: Western Naskapi: 50%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%. Ongoing community language program in Western Naskapi. All children through in kindergarten through grade 6 can read and write in the language (2017 N. Jancewicz). Taught in primary schools in Western Naskapi. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2007.
Naskapi culture was nomadic and completely dependent on the migratory habits of caribou. Caribou hunting and land use still seen as important. Innu Aimun refers to both Eastern Naskapi dialect and Montagnais [moe] but not Western Naskapi. Some linguists have referred to dialect spoken at Natuashish as Eastern Naskapi but currently refer to it as Innu Aimun or Mushuau Innu Aimun.