I nternal migration and cultural dynamics amongst First N ations youth in Quebec (Canada). Innu, Atikamekwand Algonquin

Abstract

The article first presents some theoretical avenues seeking to analyse the impact of culture and intercultural dynamics on the process of identity building. The authors thereafter deal with the issue of internal migrations of Aboriginal youth in Québec using data from two field studies, i.e. a set of interviews of some thirty young Innus, Atikamekw and Algonquins (qualitative approach) and a survey of a little more than a hundred young people from these three nations done with a questionnaire that was also filled by young Quebecers (quantitative approach). Identity building among Aboriginal youth has to do with their mobility and their relationship to the land. These young people cope with the challenge of building their identity in a modernity they want and have to come to terms with, but also in a context of collective affirmation, conflict, and ambivalence that is distinctive of their community’s culture. Their situation could be termed as a new nomadism characterized by a movement of going back and forth between a native place and a host place, between the values of the community and those of the neighbouring society, between the mother tongue and the language of the majority.