Sheshatshiu

Film review of: Being Innu by Catherine Mullins.

Atlantic Canada Studies Thesis (M.A.)--Saint Mary's University, 2006.

Describes how the Innu gave up the remnants of their nomadic culture to settle in half-built houses on the northeast coast of Labrador. Duration: 8:11.

Anglican priest goes on hunger strike to draw attention to the severe addiction problems of children in Sheshatshiu, Labrador.

Social Work Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Calgary, 2006. Purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of five Aboriginal individuals who formerly used solvents and factors related to their transition to non-use.

Linguistics Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2006.

Linguistics Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2002.

Survival International from London, England released a report on the rise of suicide among the Innu people, forerly known as Montagnais-Naskapi.

RCAP 42 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Sheshatshiu, Labrador. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to education, land claims, self-governemnt, alcohol and drug abuse issues, and Metis, Inuit and women's issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.

RCAP 43 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Sheshatshiu, Labrador. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to employment, land claims, self-governemnt, alcohol and drug abuse issues, and Metis, Inuit, Innu and women's issues. Each submission can be viewed individually on this site.

File contains closing remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains closing remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains an individual presentation by Angela Andrew, teacher at the local community college, discussing Innu culture and education. She states that elders should be utilized more in teaching traditional skills to Innu youth, but because they do not have the proper teaching certification, they are not allowed to teach. She calls on the Commission to ease teacher education restrictions with elders to ensure traditional Innu skills and traditions are passed on. Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains an individual presentation by Ben Andrew focusing on Innu land claims and self-government. Andrew states the Canadian government has "deprogrammed Innu people so they deny their own people, their own nationhood, and their own uniqueness." Andrew is skeptical of the Commission's purpose and goals but hopes the Commission can influence the federal government in future negotiations relating to Innu land claims and self-government. Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains an individual presentation by Ben Michel detailing the negative effects of government assimilation on the people of Sheshatshiu, Davis Inlet and other Innu communities. He states that "Canada once again is masking itself in the form of a Royal Commission to legitimize its denial of a people's right of self-determination and arightful place in the global human community." Michel calls on the Commission to take his complaints to the Canadian Human Rights Commission and to the United Nations Human Rights Commission. A question-and-answer session follows the presentation.

File contains an individual presentation by Charlie Andrew relating to his frustrating personal experience with attempting to complete the Adult Basic Education program at Labrador Community College.

File contains an individual presentation by Chief Francis Penashue describing the culture and values of the Innu people pre-European contact, and now Innu communities are dealing with substance abuse, family dysfunction and high unemployment and welfare rates. Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains an individual presentation by David Nuke focusing on the justice system and how it fails Innu people regarding summary offences. He cites statistics for incarceration of an inmate for one year and feels that amount would be better served providing community programs for Innu youth in Labrador, thus avoiding criminal activity by young people.

File contains an individual presentation by Gregory Andrew and Mary Andrew questioning "[H]ow did Canada gain our territory when there was no treaties ever signed by Innu people." He shows a map where the Innu people have lived in northern Canada for 9000 years and Andrew's mother, through an interpreter, shows the places she once lived that are now mine sites and lands are flooded by dams. Following the presentation are brief remarks by the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Jack Penashue who speaks from the perspective of Innu youth. He learned very little about his culture in high school and feels it should be taught by Aboriginal teachers throughout all grades. He feels elders are very important in passing down traditions and stories and they should be utilized by the education system as well.

File contains an individual presentation by Jean-Pierre Ashini discussing low-level flying by Canadian Forces jets in Labrador. His ability to hunt and provide for his family is compromised by the jets flying 15-20 feet above ground. Ashini calls on the Commission to stop the flights as they affect wildlife and scare small children.

File contains an individual presentation by Kathleen Nuna focusing on aspects of Innu culture she feels have been lost; fishing, hunting, trapping, folklore and spirituality. She calls on the Commission to provide Innu communities with funding to teach younger generations traditional and survival skills to keep Innu culture alive. Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains an individual presentation by Lionel Rich relating to youth and the RCMP in Sheshatshiu. Rich alleges the RCMP did not treat several young people properly and calls upon the Commission to look into the conduct of the officers involved. Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains an individual presentation by Lyla Andrew, a non-Aboriginal woman raised in Toronto and a resident of Sheshatsiu for 15 years. She acknowledged in her an unconscious discrimination toward Innu people and the Innu would be better served if they "would aspire to be more like me." Andrew shares stories of her experience living among the Innu and calls on the Commission to have the Canadian government "recognize the value in their growth and development as a separate and distinct culture." Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains an individual presentation by Martha Hurry discussing her experience with going to the bush in the spring with her children. She was a kindergarten teacher at Peenamin School and took a leave of absence. Hurry was unsucessful in receiving unemployment benefits for those weeks in the bush and feels she was discriminated against. She asks the Commission for help in dealing with the local Canada Employment office. Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains an individual presentation by Mary Ann Michel expressing frustration with the lifestyle her Innu people are living. Michel wants her people to be healthy, educated and productive members of Innu society but "the Canadian government's policies have destroyed the Innu way of life."

File contains an individual presentation by Michael Rich focusing on his experiences with the justice system in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He calls on the Commission to ensure that Aboriginal police officers, lawyers, judges and court workers work with Aboriginal people to negotiate through the justice system in a fair manner. Following the presentation are remarks by Rene Dussault and Mary Sillett.

File contains an individual presentation by Patrick Rich, an Innu man, asking for help from the Commission relating to the forced removal and subsequent adoption at birth of several of his children. He asks the Commission for help in locating his children.

File contains an individual presentation by Peter Penashue focusing on Innu self-government. He provides a brief history of the Innu people in Labrador and the effects on the Innu when Newfoundland entered Confederation in 1949. He refers to the framework negotiations with the federal and provincial governments and hopes these negotiations lead to self-government that will help revive Innu culture, customs and language. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a brief individual presentation by Ponis Nuke relating to health care for Innu people, trapping snd low-level flying by Canadian Forces jets in Labrador. Following the presentation are brief remarks by Rene Dussault, Co-Chair.

File contains two presentations, both read by Rose Gregoire. She begins with Raphael Gregoire's presentation that expresses concern with this Commission being irrelevant and its findings being ignored. Raphael Gregoire asks that issues or problems that need to be addressed immmediately should not be delayed until the final report is finished. Rose Gregoire's presentation addresses the treatment of Innu people under the law and discusses her experiences in the justice system, first as a young offender and now as a court worker.

File contains an individual presentation by Simeo Rich expressing sadness that elders were not consulted when the Churchill Falls Hydro Project was being planned in the 1960s. The destruction of hunting lands has been devastating to the Innu and Rich hopes that future self-government will eliminate the federal government's control over the Innu.

File contains an individual presentation by Sylvester Andrew, employee of the local school. He briefly describes the history of Aboriginal people in Labrador. Andrew states that hydro projects and low-level Canadian Forces jets have disrupted lives, as well as wildlife, which Innu people depend on for survival. Flooding has destroyed the hunting areas used by the Innu and Andrew believes the Innu must begin land claims negotations to prevent the loss of more land and resources.

File contains opening remarks by Rene Dussault, Viola Robinson and Mary Sillett, who discuss the purpose and goals of the Commission. Dussault introduces Francis Penashue, Commissioner For the Day. Ben Michel is the facilitator.

File contains a presentation by Apenam Pone discussing the effects of alcohol abuse on the Innu people. Two-thirds of Innu adults have difficulty with alcohol, caused "by the lack of power and control over their lives, lack of control of education, social services, religion and the justice system." Due to the lack of control, the Innu culture is weakened and people feel they lack power to direct their lives and the lives of their children. Pone calls on the Commission to help end the inadequate funding of treatment centres in terms of wages and programming budgets.

File contains a presentation by Chief Katie Rich detailing the effects of relocation, substance abuse and hopelessness that the Innu of Davis Inlet suffer from. She describes the early history and relocation of Davis Inlet and feels that the only hope for residents is to relocate again, due to the lack of proper housing, sewer and water in their present location. The mortality rate of children is very high, and Rich calls on the Commission to assist Innu people with resources to regain control of their lives through culture, traditions, values and spirituality.

File contains a presentation by Elizabeth Penashue, Innu spokesperson and elder, expressing concern with low-level flying by Canadian Forces jets, hunting restrictions, and social problems among the Innu people. She appeals to the Commission to help end the low-level flying that disrupts the hunting and trapping that is essential for Innu survival.

File contains a presentation by George Rich discussing substance abuse and the lack of recreational facilities and educational opportunities for the youth of Davis Inlet. Rich calls for an Innu-run treatment centre for youth and adults and a permanent RCMP station in Davis Inlet and asks the help of the Commission to achieve this. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Gregory Penashue expressing frustration with his years of "futile activism" on behalf of the Innu people of Labrador. He protests yearly funding cuts for a multitude of programs in Sheshatshiu and other neghboring communities that would keep Innu culture and language from extinction. He calls on the Commission to consider Innu culture and language important enough to preserve through proper funding. Following the presentation are remarks by the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Judith Hill expressing concern about the potential loss of Innu culture and the Inuit language if not continuing to be taught in Peenamin School. She states that the lack of staff and funding to make the materials required for the classroom is limiting learning for the students. Following the presentation are brief remarks by each Commissioner.

File contains a presentation by Kirk Lethbridge discussing his views of Aboriginal self-government and the "inevitability of self-determination." He feels he may not see it in his lifetime, but says his children will. Lethbridge calls on the Commission to ensure that "soon all Aboriginal people in Labrador, and in Canada, will be under the same flag."

File contains a presentation by Simon Michel that briefly discusses environmental concerns such as water pollution, the Churchill Falls hydro project and low-level flying of Canadian Forces jets. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.