Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
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Sheshatshiu, Labrador - On March 5, 2002, Elizabeth Penashue will lead a walk by snowshoe from Sheshatshiu (meaning narrow place in the river), Labrador to the Innu traditional hunting territory of Minipi Lake.

"I want my people to remember the way we lived when I was growing up in the bush. We won't use planes or ski-doos. We will walk on the land and the rivers, and pull our stuff on toboggans. That's how we travelled when I was young. It's important to see the land and everything that lives on it...the birds and animals that keep us alive. Our kids need to know their land, Nitassinan. They can learn how we lived without television and other machines. When we work hard, we learn to care about the good things that the land gives us.", said Elizabeth Penashue.

This is the fifth annual trek by snowshoe led by Elizabeth Penashue. About 20 Innu, of all ages, will leave from the Churchill River near Goose Bay on Tuesday and begin the long walk into the country. Piled onto toboggans will be canvas tents, woodstoves, and supplies for their 4-week walk. To supplement their food supplies, they will fish, and hunt partridge, rabbits and porcupines along the way.

"I see and feel how happy my people are when they are at home in the country. They smile and talk about how good it feels to be there. It's very different from the unhealthy life in the village."

The hunting territory that is their destination is Minipi Lake, known as Minai-nipi by the Innu. It is near the Practice Target Area, a weapons range used by NATO militaries for low-level flying and bombing practices. A recent proposal to expand and intensify the use of the target area has Elizabeth Penashue worried.

"My people, and the animals too, know that it's no good to live on land that has been messed up by war practices and other developments. My generation had a good life on the land. We want to share that with our children and grandchildren. Much of our land is still beautiful - not yet spoiled by industry and the military. We must protect what we have left.", continued Penashue.

"As we make our path over the lakes and rivers of our land, we also make a path for our future.", she concludes.

Requests for interviews with Elizabeth Penashue on her return from Minipi can be made through the Innu Nation office in Sheshatshiu, phone: 709-497-8398.