This evening, Newfoundland Justice Minister Ed Roberts announced that he
was refusing to consider Innu proposals to return to the negotiating table,
and that he was still committed to "restoring the rule of law" to the
community by force. Military helicopters, transport planes and over 70 RCMP
officers remain on alert in Goose Bay.
After Roberts' announcement, Innu leaders, elders and community members
gathered to discuss their response to Newfoundland's decision to push the
crisis closer to a direct confrontation. Chief Simeon Tshakapesh and Innu
Nation President Peter Penashue spoke only briefly. They related recent
events to the gathering, and then turned over the microphone to community
members.
Elizabeth Penashue, one of the leading voices in the Innu struggle against
military low-level flight training over their land, stated "It is important
to be committed to the struggle. It comes from your soul. Once you have
found that commitment, it changes your life. It is hard at first-you risk
everything, but you must pay a great deal in order to gain more."
Women don't look for power-they give power. Women should not be afraid of
struggle. It is in the struggle that women demonstrate their power. In
prison, it is the women who will sustain you."
"The prison system is not the answer for Innu. It may be right for white
people, but it is not our way. We believe in healing, and we are starting
to heal ourselves. I cannot understand why the regime is interfering with
this process-it is good, and it is right for our community. The police and
courts and prisons are wrong."
"I look to the people of Utshimassit for leadership, and I am willing to
share my strength and experience in return. I think that together we will
overcome."
Virginia Collins related an experience with the RCMP that happened when she
was 13 or 14 years old. "I was called into the RCMP cabin. I went, thinking
that I would be interviewed about something. They tried to assault me.
Fortunately, a friend of mine came by just in time. That experience changed
the whole way I thought about the police. I was always brought up to
respect them, but after that, I could only despise them. I am happy about
what happened to the RCMP cabin-it held a great deal of bad memories. Now
that our children have reclaimed it, I can look at it calmly again."
Katie Rich, the former chief of Utshimassit..."I am afraid that Virginia's
story is not the only story of assaults of young people by the police. We
need to stop these assaults. It is not only white people on Innu, but Innu
on Innu. I am concerned about this as a woman, and as a women with
children. I want to live under a system where women and children do not
have to fear assault from anyone. I don't think that the police and the
court is the solution. The system that is right for Innu is one that will
heal instead of increase the harm. People who come back to the community
from prison are no better, and are often worse, that when they left. This
is not right for Innu."
Apenam Pone retold the story of Mandela. "One must never forget the lesson
that Mandela taught the world. He fought for freedom. He and his people
lived under oppression. I don't think that the Innu situation is much
different. Mandela was strong-and even his prison experience made him
stronger. It took time, but his struggle changed the world. It is important
for Innu to learn from the lessons that other people have learned. We live
under oppression, and through the struggle, we will be able to achieve
freedom for ourselves."
Tshenish Pasteen, an elder in Utshimassit, told of an experience that
occurred when he was young and visiting Sheshatshiu. "I was walking along
the street with a friend, when a police van pulled up. They spoke English,
which we couldn't understand. I thought that they were offering us a ride.
Instead, they threw us into jail. When I realized we were going to jail, I
thought that at least that we would be given a bed. Instead, we were thrown
in a concrete tank. We had to sleep on the floor. If this is the way that
they treat people who are only detained, how much worse do they treat
people who are sentenced? I think that prisons are wrong for everyone."
The meeting concluded with people standing together in solidarity, arm in
arm, urging each other to be strong should the RCMP decide to move in
tomorrow.
"I know that the people are willing to do what is necessary to overcome
oppression. We are fighting not only for ourselves, but for aboriginal
people across Canada who face the same struggle. If we can stand up to the
most oppressive government in Canada, other people will draw strength from
our example.", said Tshakapesh. "We will succeed because we have to."
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THE INNU of UTSHIMASSIT urgently need your support. We expect an RCMP
invasion within the next 48 hours.
TAKE ACTION: Call or fax Newfoundland Justice Minister ED ROBERTS
tel: (709) 729-2869 fax: (709) 729-2129.
Tell him to respect Innu rights.
Condemn the RCMP and military invasion of Utshimassit. Ask your local Chief
and Council, Member of Parliament, Congressperson, Member of the
Legislative Assembly, etc. to do the same
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Larry Innes internet: es051322@orion.yorku.ca
Environmental Advisor
Innu Nation phone: (709) 497-8398
PO Box 119 fax: (709) 497-8396
Sheshatshiu, Nitassinan
via Canada A0P 1M0
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