A group of young residents of Sheshatshiu completed a 130 -kilometer trip in protest of a hydroelectric project proposed in Gull Island, and one says that it is a sign that young people are ready to assume leadership roles to protect the earth.
Angel Jourdain, Percey Montague and Patrick Jourdain began the long walk earlier this month of Sheshatshui to Gull Island to join several people who have been protesting in the work of survey of preliminary sites of Hydro-Québec.
Angel Jourdain said the earth is a place where Innu has gathered for years and said that the walk is very important for her.
“I hope it shows you that we are peaceful, that we love our land, but we will not give up when it comes to it, that we will be here to protest it, if bad decisions are made on earth,” Jourdain told CBC.
“We are the protectors now. Now that most of the elders have gone, we were ready to intervene.”
She said the group, which included Percy Montague and Patrick Jourdain, began her trip on July 13 and reached Gull Island on July 20.
Jourdain is happy to have done this and feels good, although she is tired and sore by the long walk.
“Emotionally I am still strong and I am ready to do whatever it is later,” he said, adding that Montague and Patrick Jourdain are excited about any future challenge.
Throughout the one -week walk, the members of the community left drinks to keep them hydrated, as well as equipment such as walking sticks and even junk food, to help “keep the mood.”
“We made people stop to give us hugs and talk to us and tell us that we are doing very well and simply giving us words of encouragement,” Jourdain said.
Elder Innu Elizabeth Pensashue also joined the trio for a portion of 12 kilometers of her walk, which Jourdain called a “great motivator to move forward.”
Jourdain said that the age of many elderly Penashue is dying, so “it is really important to hear it say that, and that he trusts us to protect the earth and appreciate it as they have done for so many years.”
When the group reached Gull Island, he said they were received by a crowd, from community leaders to young children.
“It is not just the walk, it is an achievement for the young people of Sheshatshiu. Something like that has never been done, so seeing her support will definitely encourage others to do more,” he said.
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