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Speaking From the Heart:
A report of the 2002 Innu Women's Speaking Tour author: Stephen Dankowich
A big thank you to all of our Sponsors!
The Innu are currently in land rights negotiations with the Canadian federal government.
ICIE stands in solidarity with the Innu, believing that there should be no development on Innu lands (Nitassinan)
until land rights have been settled. For more information about the Innu, or to volunteer,
Email: volunteer@oakvillepeacecentre.org |
Theresa Andrew and Ann Philomena Pokue had never been away from home before. These Innu grandmothers from Sheshatshiu, Nitassinan travelled all the way to southern Ontario to express their concerns for their people, the animals and the natural environment in Labrador. They were joined by two more experienced travellers who are also sisters of Ann Philomena’s: Elizabeth Penashue and Rose Gregoire. The expansive sparkling lights of Toronto greeted them as they flew into Pearson Airport on Friday, September 27, 2002. The purpose of their tour was to raise awareness about the Innu Women’s Walk Fund and to raise funds to support the work of this exciting organization. Throughout the tour, they proved to be moving and provocative communicators. They painted a vivid picture of the dramatic changes to their people’s land 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. Supporters, students and others learned about the devastating impacts the Innu and the environment experience daily due to multinational, military, and industrial activity in Nitassinan from these courageous grandmothers. The Speaking Tour began with an exciting live interactive interview on CKLN Radio 88.1 FM. For one hour between noon and 1 pm on Saturday, September 28, the four Innu women were featured on Saturday Morning Live, the most-listened to news program on CKLN, according to News Director Kristin Schwartz. Odelia Bay, CKLN interviewer, covered a broad range of topics in a very sympathetic manner. Several listeners called in with questions and comments. Prior to the live interview, they were taped for a feminist news program that played on CKLN on Sunday, September 29. Suzy Alvarez conducted this interview. There was only time for prepared sandwiches to be eaten on the ride from Ryerson University to Innis College at the University of Toronto. The annual Planet In Focus Festival was co-sponsoring an important workshop with the Canadian Association of Journalists on the subject of how the media covers environmental issues. The workshop was titled, "Who’s covering the biggest story on Earth?" We were hoping that the Innu could ask a question to the esteemed Panel about how the media has covered their environmental issues and e-mailed this request to Sylvie Basley, publicist for this Toronto International Environmental Film and Video Festival. The panelists included David Suzuki of The Nature of Things and its executive producer, Michael Allder. Also on the Panel was Bob Hunter (ecology specialist on CityTV and in eYe weekly), Alanna Mitchell (science reporter for The Globe and Mail), and Natalie Pawelski (environmental correspondent for CNN). We were pleased beyond expectations when the Innu were given the microphone and allowed to expound at length about their concerns and efforts to help their community. The audience, made up of lots of environmental journalists amongst other conference goers, and the Panel were extremely attentive to their every word. These Innu women made such an impact that the workshop ended with the Panel concluding that nothing more could be added to what was just heard from the Innu. OAKVILLE PEACE CONCERT Organizers had long wanted Innu to speak at this annual event and were very happy when they learned that the four women would attend the 16th annual Oakville Peace Concert on Sunday, September 29, 2002. This year’s theme was "for peace and the environment" and also featured John Ferguson, the education advisor to the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. Many local folk artists performed too. There was a solemn hush from the 75 people in attendance as the Innu related their lived experiences and current challenges. Rose Gregoire shared her own personal tragedy too. On June 7, 2002, her 21 year old son, Moose (Richard), committed suicide. An incredibly brave woman, Rose continues to counsel the youth and others in her community to overcome abuse. The ambiance at the Church of the Incarnation in Glen Abbey was very peaceful; there was a lightness and brightness to the event generated by sunlight streaming in through large ceiling to floor windows. A FREE PUBLIC FORUM AT OISE "Just because you have not heard from Innu women recently, it does not mean that we have given up," said Elizabeth Penashue to a group of 40 supporters at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) on Monday, September 30. "I was berry picking the other morning just to be together with other Innu women. I have gone paddling to Churchill Falls and to Gull Island. Some people are supporting me in the community. I was fasting overnight and praying for my community on September 10, 2002. It isn’t easy." 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. We learned that her Dad’s belongings and family’s gravesites are all under water because of the dam at Mista-shipu (Churchill River); nobody explained or asked Innu anything before everything was lost to flooding in the late 1960s. Elizabeth does not want to see Gull Island flooded especially as she hunts there each summer. She feels that the animals are speaking to her and asking her what will happen to them if the dam is built at the lower Churchill. "There are too many developments in our community: Voisey Bay, low flying, Churchill Falls," she insisted. She knows that the government is taking advantage of her people because they are devastated and so the government can make deals. "We don’t have a voice anymore. People have been offered jobs but most will be for 4-6 weeks to cut brush. The fish and the water will be affected. We are not the only ones who use the land. Has overheard that the Voisey Bay mine will be for 30 years. Young Innu people do not have the education to get the better jobs. People from outside will benefit more. There must be a protest. Low level flying now takes place at night time too and they are expanding the bombing range. Developments are hurting the land and the environment. A military jet crashed near where Ann Philomena was once camping; she was told to immediately get out of the area and not pick berries there. Some berries are not ripe and others are not good; not like it use to be; it’s the same with the animals. We have never signed our land away to the government," remarked Elizabeth in a far-ranging speech. She is trying to set up an office in the community. Sometimes she feels very alone in her community. She recently went to connect with women from the 13 Innu communities and meet them face-to-face. She would like more opportunities to share her ideas with other women by organizing them to go into the bush together. There is no bingo and no alcohol in "nutshimit". Ann Philomena Pokue shared her fear of fish with mercury poisoning. There are signs up now near Gull Island that tell you that the fish may have mercury and it is very scary. As the most senior woman on the tour, she has memories of the animals tasting better before all the development came to her land. Rose Gregoire has the most difficult job on the speaking tour as she has to translate for the other women. She relates that Theresa Andrew has never been away from home before. We learn that even though she has never received formal education, Theresa is a very skilled woman. Rose believes that if Theresa got financial support, she could open her own craft shop. Theresa was teaching the children at the school to make moccasins but there was no funding this year; the job was only for five months of the year. |
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Theresa does not want to see the young people lose their culture because she feels that the way of ensuring survival is by making crafts. She knows the young kids will not wear traditional clothing but still wants them to know how their elders once dressed. On special occasions she will wear her traditional dress. Many ICIE supporters already knew of Theresa because it has been her tea dolls that we have raffled off over the past several years as fundraisers. Rose Gregoire says she herself is not much of a country woman; "I would not survive there. I was sent to school in St. John’s for a year to become a nurse. Later, I had to deal with the problem of my peoples’ sexual abuse. I work with senior women too and will not tell them what to do; I won’t go and just clean up their homes, but if they ask me for help in cleaning up their house, I’ll do it. This shows respect for the elders," insisted Rose. "We are not so popular in the community of Sheshatshiu because of what we are doing," shared Rose. "After the decision by the Innu to allow development at Voisey Bay," Rose continued, "elders are being given $300 a month each. Why? Some worker said it was ‘because Innu are never going to work at Voisey Bay!’ Not enough of us are opposing things to stop them. Young people eat store bought food. It is not encouraging," she expressed in dismay. The free Public Forum earned $850 for the Innu Women’s Walk Fund including $375 collected that night from the crowd in attendance. The exciting event was co-sponsored by Science For Peace ($100) which also arranged the room booking with thanks to Carolyn Langdon, Veterans Against Nuclear War, Ontario-Quebec branch ($100), Peace Magazine ($100), Ontario Voice of Women ($100), the Ontario Public Interest Research Group at the U of Toronto ($50), and The ACTivist magazine for peace, ecology and human rights ($25). CKLN Radio 88.1 FM provided publicity in exchange for co-sponsorship while the Native Women’s Resource Centre presented gifts to the four Innu women. STUDENTS PAY ATTENTION Fenny Sanchez, an ICIE supporter and a teacher at the all-female St. Joseph’s College School on Wellesley near Bay Street, had long ago requested the opportunity to have Innu speak with her students. Fenny arranged for a biology class and a religious studies class to listen to the four Innu women in each of the first two periods of school on Tuesday, October 1, 2002. The students were very attentive and sympathetic to the plight of these courageous grandmothers who remarked that they were very pleased to hear the passionate appeal for the rights of native peoples in Canada delivered by Fenny Sanchez to her students. The ICIE petition for Innu land rights was circulated throughout the school in the aftermath of the visit. The school donated $200 to the success of the Innu Women’s Walk Fund. ICIE donated a copy of "It’s Like The Legend: Innu Women’s Voices" to St. Joseph College School. This was particularly appropriate as the presentations were made in their Library! NEW PERSPECTIVES ON TORONTO Theresa Andrew was most curious about the CN Tower so everyone agreed to visit on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 1. Everyone was clutching each other’s coats on the elevator ride up! No one wanted to get too close to the windows once we got to the top! Walking on the glass floor was a thrill with many shrieks of delight emanating from our group which included Kari Reynolds who videotaped the visit. After looking down on Toronto, the Innu were next gazing at Toronto’s downtown from Centre Island. We took the ferry for a scenic ride in the late afternoon. Elizabeth, Rose, Ann Philomena and Theresa were welcomed to the Native Canadian Centre by the Eagle Heart Drummers who performed with great skill and high energy. Jimmy Dick and two sons drummed and sang.The Banquet was a sumptious feast. Lyn Adamson and Marie were the chefs. Henry Martiniuk was the sous-chef. The menu consisted of cooked-to-perfection organic salmon from northern Quebec, wild and brown rice, delicious baked squash, salad topped with a raspberry-garlic dressing, a grilled tofu dish for vegetarians, and bread. Baked apples and an apple crisp dessert was served with coffee and tea. Supporters were updated by the women of Sheshatshiu while enjoying dessert and coffee. Fortunately, a good sound system was made available by the Native Centre. The Eagle Heart Drummers played a second song to say farewell to the Innu guests. Supporters contributed $1,208 to the Fund at the Banquet. Food expenses totalled $385 leaving a net donation of $823 for the Innu Women’s Walk Fund. GREETING COLLEGE STUDENTS Seneca College students were pleased to have the four Innu women visit their campus in Aurora on Wednesday, October 2 at the invitation of Bev Brewer, a professor at the King campus location. Their talk was delivered to 1st year Social Service Worker students in a course called "Diversity: Skills and Practice". Bev noted that the students were very responsive and were really pulled in by their story. Several said it was a powerful experience. The event was co-sponsored by the Seneca College Faculty ($150) and the Seneca College Environmental Committee ($300). Audrey Tobias of VANA helped drive the guests to the College and billeted them in Toronto. Ann & Bruce MacNaughton accommodated them for two evenings in Oakville. SHARING LIFE SKILLS A Dinner in honour of the four Innu women was convened on Wednesday, Octokber 2, 2002 at the Native Mens’ Residence of Toronto located at Vaughan and Bathurst. Following the meal, they spoke to a small but intense group of native men as part of the Residence’s weekly Life Skills seminar. They were very encouraged that one young man indicated that he would be very interested in joining the walk to the bombing range next spring. Thanks to Eddie Robinson for arranging the event and to Executive Director Greg Rogers for agreeing to direct a $150 honorarium to the Innu Women’s Walk Fund. INDIGENOUS STUDIES AT MAC The Forum began with a reading of the Thanksgiving Address of the Longhouse People and included the singing of young men from Six Nations. Dawn Hill and Cassandra Pohl of Indigenous Studies welcomed us to McMaster University on Thursday, October 3, 2002 with a traditional lunch of corn soup and bannock. Rose Gregoire explained that she is an addictions counselor of youth at the day counselling centre. "There is lots of drinking, drugs, wife-beating, men in the correctional facility, and suicides in my community. I was a homeworker and had to report on elders abusing youth in our community." She shared even more about her son Moose (Richard) who committed suicide on June 7, 2002; August 19 would have been his 22nd birthday. She bears great resentment to the church and the Newfoundland Teachers Federation who she feels have allowed the abuse of her people. Moose, 14 at the time, hid in the woods and did not go to school because of abuse by a teacher. Moose read the Bible a lot. The pain never seems to end. A teacher from Toronto was recently there, he abused kids, was convicted in court, then he committed suicide by cutting his ankles and wrists and bleeding to death. "These grandmothers here would do anything for their grandkids so that they do not commit suicide. Elizabeth, Ann Philomena and Theresa give me hope," asserted Rose. "We are asking native people to come into our community to help teach Innu how to stand up for our rights. "Because of so many developments and money coming into our community, people are fighting among themselves and threatening other people; it’s very scary. Innu leadership does not want people to speak up," said Rose. "Regarding Voisey’s Bay, some voted "No" like us. "I am so happy to see so many Native people getting an education like here at Indigenous Studies at McMaster University," commented Rose. "I hope that some day, we will take over social services in our community but first we have to heal ourselves or else it will all fall apart." "I too experienced sexual abuse in school with the teachers rubbing their genitals on our bodies and making us feel dirty. Two times, the priest’s house was burned down. Our religion was destroyed by the church; we had a shamanism." "I want to talk from my heart. We are not lazy, we are just in so much pain," concluded Rose. "People are jealous," added Rose. Elizabeth’s oldest son Peter is President of Innu Nation and the President of the Band Council is her son-in-law Paul Rich so it is very hard for her to ask for money for supplies like toboggans for trips. Elizabeth Penashue remarked that for six years, women have been doing the Walk to show the government how much we respect our land and animals. "I want you to help my people," she pleaded. "I organized an all-night prayer and fast vigil this summer for my people." "I have 28 grandchildren, 7 sons and 2 daughters. "See me and what I’m doing. Help me, help me," she says to her dead parents. "You are a very strong woman," said her dead Mom to her in a very short dream. In another dream, "I was falling through the ice, I looked back and all the women were turning away from me; so I had to get myself out by myself." Indigenous Studies generously donated a $300 honorarium and gave the women gifts of cigarettes, scarves, and a studies T-Shirt. The talk was also sponsored by OPIRG-McMaster which contributed $100. KNIVES & FORKS IN OAKVILLE Twenty five supporters attended a potluck supper at the Oakville Community Centre For Peace, Ecology And Human Rights (occpehr) on Thursday night, October 4. The food was delicious, the talks were very productive and new friendships and associations were created. Some supporters expressed interest in establishing a Web Site for Theresa Andrew’s tea dolls while some women are now thinking about joining the Walk to the bombing range in 2003. The Peace Centre houses the International Campaign For The Innu and the Earth (ICIE) which pays no rent, no telephone bills except for a share of the long distance trunk line, and no Hydro. occpehr donated $500 to the Innu Women’s Walk Fund thanks to a recently received contribution from Board Member Bev Lefrancois. The Women of Halton Action Movement (WHAM) donated $100 as did the Women’s Information and Support Centre. $340 was donated by individuals for a grand total of $1,040. GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS The four Innu women made a big impression on the 700+ people in attendance at the various events. In total, the Speaking Tour raised $4,160 for the Innu Women’s Walk Fund. 100% of all money raised was given directly to this organization. All expenses ($497.54) were covered by the International Campaign For The Innu And The Earth (ICIE) thanks to donations from supporters in 2001. The Sheshatshiu Band Council paid the airfare for Ann Philomena Pokue. ICIE paid the airfare ($2,279.75) for Theresa, Rose and Elizabeth. Most importantly, by speaking from the heart, the women from Sheshatshiu strengthened old friendships, brought networks of people back together again, made many new friends, and established new creative energy for helping to deal with the numerous problems confronting Innu in the village of Sheshatshiu, Nitassinan.  |
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