Interview with four Innu grandmothers and elders from Sheshatshiu, Nitassinan, who travelled all the way to southern Ontario to express their concerns for their people, the animals and the natural environment in Labrador.
Producer: CKLN News Uploaded by:
On Saturday, September 28th 2002, CKLN was honoured to speak to Theresa Andrew, Ann Philomena Pokue, Elizabeth Penashue and Rose Gregoire, four Innu grandmothers and elders from Sheshatshiu, Nitassinan who travelled all the way to southern Ontario to express their concerns for their people, the animals and the natural environment in Labrador. These four brave and strong Innu women elders were visiting Toronto as part of a speaking tour to raise awareness about the Innu Women's Walk Fund and to raise funds to support the work of this organization. In our brief but inspiring meeting we learnt of the dramatic changes to their people's land and their communities since the days when they and others of their generation were born in tents in the vast unceded Innu hunting territory of the Quebec/Labrador peninsula. We also heard about the devastating impacts the Innu and the environment experience daily due to multinational, military, and industrial activity in Nitassinan.
In the late 1960s, the Innu of Labrador lost everything when their traditional lands where flooded to make way for the dam at Churchill River. Currently, the government is working on a deal that will see the construction of yet another dam in the area, this one will lead to the flooding of the lower Churchill River. Other problems facing the Innu of these area in Labrador include: the Voisey Bay mine and its impact on the natural resources, lack of adequate social services/education and employment, mercury poisoning of the fish reserves, low level flying and the expansion of the bombing range.
Who are these brave women?
Elizabeth Penashue led her people onto the runway at CFB Goose Bay in the 1980s to stop the military jets from training over her people's land. In recent years, she has organized trips or walks along traditional Innu travel routes.
Rose Gregoire is a social worker and counsellor helping women and children who have survived sexual abuse and violence. She was also a part of the group of women who spearheaded the Innu protests against NATO's military flight training over Labrador.
Theresa Andrew is a very skilled craft artist. She teaches children at local schools how to make moccasins and tea dolls. Theresa works hard to ensure that the young people retain their culture because she feels that one of the ways to ensure the survival of their community is by making crafts so that traditions of the those before them will be kept alive.
Ann Philomena Pokue is a healer and elder. She has been involved in a number of healing circles to help survivors of trauma caused by violence and abuse.
How to get involved? If you wish to join and/or support the International Campaign for the Innu & the Earth, contact: The Oakville Community Centre for Peace, Ecology & Human Rights 148 Kerr Street, Oakville Tel/Fax: 905-849-5501 volunteer@oakvillepeacecentre.org
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