Uapikun shash nishtutamu aueshish-akushunnu

24 Jan 13

 

The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador is located on the eastern shores of Canada, ranging in climate from polar tundra in the north to humid continental in the south. The mainland region of Labrador, with a land area of 294,330 km2 has a human population of 26,728 (Canada Census 2011) giving a population density of less than 0.1 per km2.

One of cultural groups of Labrador is the First Nations Innu people living primarily in the communities of Sheshatshiu and Natuashish, with a total population of just over 2,000.

As is the case for all people in Labrador, the Innu communities face the cyclic risks of rabies, spread primarily by red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) but also by wolves (Canis lupus) and arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus). Rabies occurs in sporadic outbreaks amongst the red fox population, most recently in 2005 and 2012, and the occasional infected bat. However, due to the very sparse human population, it is likely that most infected animals are never reported. Though the people of Labrador are aware of rabies, the unpredictability of outbreaks and how extensive they may be, as well as the need to always educate the new generations, means that public education is necessary on a continual basis, and in particular when outbreaks occur.

To provide public education on the risks associated with rabies, a World Rabies Day event was held in the Sheshatshiu Innu School on September 28th, 2012. The use of the WRD logo translated into the Innu language (Innu-aimun) was prominent in the promotional materials and helped to demonstrate that the children in that community were sharing the same concerns as children around the world. Presentations were given about the facts of rabies to the older students while the younger ones participated by drawing pictures of animals that might get rabies. As might be expected, the drawings of foxes, wolves, and dogs were also supplemented by dinosaurs, sharks and birds of prey.

To create a permanent contribution to rabies education, a children’s book is being written for publication in 2013 that will be part of an existing educational series with the young girl Uapikun (flower) as the central character. Its title is “Uapikun shash nishtutamu aueshish-akushunnu” which translates as “Uapikun now understands rabies”.

Submitted by Dr. Hugh Whitney Chief Veterinary Officer Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Information on rabies in Newfoundland and Labrador can be found at www.nr.gov.nl.ca/rabies and more information about the language spoken by the Innu of Labrador and Quebec can be found at www.innu-aimun.ca/.