Abstract

The recent avalanche of mineral exploration in northern Labrador has generated significant challenges for archaeologists and aboriginal people, who share a common interest in mitigating the impacts of these developments on cultural resources. Exploration is proceeding rapidly in an environment marked by strong pressures for investment and job creation as well as unsettled Inuit and Innu land claims. Archaeologists involved in impact assessments must confront the social and political responsibilities inherent in working at the interface between development interests and aboriginal concerns. This paper will recount the problems experienced during the past year and outline proposals for the conduct of future research based on collaboration between archaeologists and Inuit