The Community Boardwalk project reconnects the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach to their land and their lake, “A place that reminds us of who we are, where we come from, and where we are headed,” says Louise Nattawappio, Chief of the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach. The project also addresses community needs to promote well-being and healthy living through a safe, serene and fully accessible relationship with the water. The gentle meander of the path recreates a contemplative walk in nature, inspired by desire lines and the incredible, yet subtle, natural and fragile beauty of the site. Significant cultural references were brought into the project: caribou sculptures honoring herds that once traversed this territory, and a storytelling mural reflecting community values through iconic animals, significant features of the territory and references to the nation’s history. The project echoes the material palette of its context from Tamarack lumber to stones from nearby Naskapi quarries. More than a boardwalk, this is a safe space to share values, a platform for education and community health. “This is a vision that holds promise and pride for our people, honoring the land and reflecting the cultural value we cherish,” Nattawappio says.
