FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 19
"Innu Upstage Environmental Hearings"
SHESHATSHIU (Labrador) - Over 150 Innu from 7 communities in Quebec and
Labrador upstaged the opening of the Federal Environmental Review Panel
hearings on military low-level flight training today in Goose Bay. Innu
from Sheshatshiu, Davis Inlet, La Romaine, Natashquan, St. Augustine,
Mingan and Schefferville occupied the hearing chambers for the afternoon,
effectively preventing the Panel from conducting the scheduled hearings.
Addressing the Panel members at the start of the hearings, Conseil
Atikamekw et des Montagnais member Armand Mackenzie stated: "We are here
to say that this is our land. We should be sitting where you are sitting
today. It is our intention to help you understand why we are here, and what
the issues are for us. This is our land, and the survival of our people is
at stake."
Last week, Innu leaders announced their intention to boycott the hearing
process, stating that it was "unfair and prejudicial" to Innu rights. The
Innu are disappointed in Panel's refusal to permit cross-examination or
provide complete interpretation. The Panel has also failed to require the
Department of National Defence (DND) to address 36 serious deficiencies in
data and analysis which are crucial to the Innu assessment of DND's
environmental impact statement.
"We prepared a careful and exhaustive analysis of DND's research. We found
it deficient. The Panel has chosen not to permit us to cross-examine DND's
technical experts, nor will it permit us to adequately translate the
hearing proceedings so our people can understand what is being said.",
stated Daniel Ashini, Director of Innu Rights and Environment. "This is
unacceptable to the Innu people, and let there be no mistake. We are here
to disrupt your hearings. You Panel members should be embarrassed to be
sitting here, when you know that the process is a sham."
The Innu maintained control of the meeting, taking control of both the
microphone and the agenda. They also received the support from Assembly of
=46irst Nations regional vice-chief Gislan Picard, who announced that "The
Innu Nation is one. Our people are united in opposition to these military
activities, and I have no reason to doubt the support of other First
Nations across this land."
In the place of the scheduled presentations, they invited Panel members to
join them in a drum dance, and asked both the Panel and the small audience
to listen to the accounts of Innu elders, who told of their experiences
with low-level flights in the country.
"The flights frighten our children and make it difficult for our people to
hunt and survive while in the country. This is our land and these are our
rights. But the Panel doesn't seem willing to consider these things.", said
Innu elder Elizabeth Penashue. "It makes me sad, but I will never give up
the struggle for Nitassinan".
"We wanted to make it clear that our communities have lost faith in the
process," stated Innu spokesperson Penote Michel at the end of the hearing
session. "We have tried repeatedly to get the Panel to address to our
concerns about the hearing procedures and the deficiencies in the
Department of National Defence's environmental impact statement. They chose
not to listen to us. Today, they had no choice."
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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Penote Michel/Daniel Ashini
(709) 497-8398
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