Analyzing the components of "successful" migration, this paper presents arguments based upon data derived from personal interviews and observations of French-Canadian and Cree Indian migrants living in a northern Quebec mining town. A comparison is made in terms of distance of place of origin and length of time in town for two French-Canadian migrants' folk taxonomies (taxonomies were derived from a respondent elicited domain of terms). Analyzing the changes necessary for commitment to a permanent townsman identity, this comparison elucidates the problems inherent in a French-Canadian's inability to distinguish place of origin from the mining town and to relinquish old ties over a relatively short period of time. Citing the literature of acculturation, migration, and evolving social structure (Canada's industrial north), this paper suggests that the American Indian's lack of commitment to a townsman identity is grounded in his relationship with the land (a respect for the land that is not region specific nor significantly different in town) and a racism which implies that townsman identity is white identity. It is concluded that a particular acculturative experience wherein a migrant embraces a new identity based on identification with the town exclusive of prior identification is essential for developing the kind of commitment necessary for successful migration. (JC)