Human Activities

A huge portion of the Taiga Shield population are Native people. The picture above shows two Cree people who live in the Alberta region of the Taiga Shield

The Taiga Shield is roughly populated by 340,000 people. 60% of this population are Native Americans; the Dene, Métis, Inuit, and Cree. The most urban areas in this ecozone are Yellowknife, Uranium City, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador city and Churchill Falls. The economy is based on hydroelectricity (from Churchill Falls), mining, forestry, and tourism. There are two of Canada's three largest hydro-dams. Most of the Taiga Shield's urbanization occurred because of the mining industry. Urbanization occurred after the gold rush in 1991(which was the largest "mineral rush" in Canada. Then diamonds were found in the Slave Geological Province in the Northwest Territories. Quebec and Labrador are known for mining iron. In northern Saskatchewan uranium is mined and in near Yellowknife gold is mined. Although the Taiga Shield has been urbanized, traditional prospects such as hunting, fishing, and trapping are also followed and also helps the economy.