Since Gathering Voices in 1992, Innu have publicly recognized that their people and communities suffer from a range of ailments that stem from a variety of causes. Over the years, various healing strategies and projects have been proposed or undertaken; however, Innu leaders saw that few of these resulted in meaningful change. Innu leaders concluded that, to heal properly, Innu must lead the healing process with a more comprehensive approach that addresses the wide range of factors impacting health and healing.

In 2011, Innu leadership proposed that the Canada-Innu-NL coordination forum be transformed into an Innu-led process; the Innu Round Table (IRT) proposal was accepted by Canada and the province of NL. The IRT approach requires Innu to set priorities and to adopt a comprehensive health and healing plan that will guide health and healing efforts. The Innu Healing Strategy was finalized in spring 2014.

The Innu Healing Strategy is based on a common vision for the future, and consensus on the priorities that need to be addressed in the Innu communities of Labrador. The strategy also assumes that healing is a personal and a family responsibility. Healing cannot be forced on people; instead, people will begin their journey towards healing when they are ready, and the community must be prepared to support them. With this healing philosophy, implementing the healing strategy rests primarily with local community resources and services.

For healing objectives to be realized, The Innu Healing Strategy emphasizes the need for many organizations to change. Some administrative and governance practices contribute to the belief that Innu services are not transparent or accountable to community members. Organizational changes are a significant part of the healing strategy that will help heal Innu communities, creating an environment in which individuals and families may more readily pursue their own health and healing efforts.

Health and healing is taking place in Innu communities in many areas. The IRT Secretariat (IRT Sec) is facilitating some of these efforts by administering intergovernmental projects, measuring success, supporting local initiatives, and helping leadership communicate progress in health and healing. One of the areas where the IRT Sec is most active is the inter-government health and healing committee (the Innu Minuinniuin Committee), in which IRT Sec staff have adopted a coordinating and supporting role. Other contributions that the IRT Sec has made to Innu health and healing can be found throughout this website.