HBC stores were given over to the Newfoundland Government in 1942. The government set up an agency to make the Labrador economy more like it was before the HBC. This became the Labrador Services Division. Government programs were offered for Inuit and Innu. After confederation, the federal government took responsibility for the Labrador Inuit.
In the late 1950’s, Nutak and Hebron were closed. These were the two most northern Inuit towns. The high cost of services was cited. The Inuit were not consulted. Residents were moved. This caused an array of social problems.
For today’s Inuit, the ancient exists along with the modern. Inuit hunters still hunt caribou. They now use snowmobiles instead of dogsleds. The igloo still provides a temporary shelter. A wood saw is now more likely to be used than a bone snow knife.
In the summer, Inuit families travel by boat to fishing camps on islands or bays. Arctic char and salmon are netted. The Inuit hunt seals, dolphins, seabirds and caribou. They now stay in canvas tents heated with metal woodstoves.