In Mockträsk there are remains of early settlements, such as burning pits from the Viking Age. The modern story begins with the settler families who arrived on the site in the 1760s. During the 19th century, more families were added as a result of government initiatives to allocate forest land to villages and settlements. In the first decades of the 20th century, so-called colonies offered poor and landless people the opportunity to acquire their own property through hard work. (The land was often difficult to cultivate). Perhaps it is a collective memory of the settlers’ harsh living conditions and strong drive that is expressed today in their commitment to children and young people. As a community the villagers sponsors a child from a less fortunate country to ensure ensure that the child can go to preschool and school, have access to clean water, nutritious food, medicines, vaccinations and other health care. And each year the village awards a scholarship to a creative young person.