Latest news with #GullIsland
CBC
24-07-2025
- General
- CBC
'We're the protectors now,' says Sheshatshiu youth after 130-kilometre walk to Gull Island
A group of young Sheshatshiu residents completed a 130-kilometre journey in protest over a proposed hydroelectric project at Gull Island — and one says it's a sign that youth are ready to take on leadership roles to protect the land. Angel Jourdain, Percey Montague and Patrick Jourdain began the long walk earlier this month from Sheshatshui to Gull Island to to join several people who have been protesting Hydro-Québec's preliminary site survey work. Angel Jourdain said land is a place where Innu have gathered for years and said the walk holds a lot of significance for her. "I hope it shows them that we're peaceful, that we love our land but we won't step down when it comes to it, that we'll be here to protest it, if any bad decisions are made upon the land," Jourdain told CBC. "We're the protectors now. Now that most of the elders are gone, we were ready to step in." She said the group, which included Percey Montague and Patrick Jourdain, began their journey on July 13 and arrived in Gull Island on July 20. Jourdain is pleased they did this and she's feeling well, even though she's tired and sore from the long walk. "Emotionally I'm still strong and I'm ready to do whatever is next," she said, adding Montague and Patrick Jourdain are excited for any future challenges. Throughout the week-long walk, community members dropped off drinks to keep them hydrated as well as equipment like walking sticks and even junk food, to help "keep our spirits up." "We had people stop to give us hugs and to talk to us and tell us we're doing great and just giving us words of encouragement," said Jourdain. Innu Elder Elizabeth Penashue also joined the trio for a 12-kilometre portion of their walk, which Jourdain called a "big motivator to keep going." Jourdain said many elders Penashue's age are dying, so "it's really important to hear her say that, and that she trusts us to protect the land and to appreciate it the way they have done for so many years." When the group arrived at Gull Island, she said they were greeted by a crowd, from community leaders to young children. "It's not just the walk, it's an achievement for the youth of Sheshatshiu. Something like this has never been done, so seeing the support from it will definitely encourage others to do more," she said.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Community needs more info about Hydro-Québec agreement, says Innu Nation advisor
An advisor with the Innu Nation says they "need to do more" to inform people about the tentative agreement with Hydro-Québec, as community members protest the proposed hydroelectric project at Gull Island. "We feel that we need to put more information out to the people," Innu Nation advisor Prote Poker told CBC Radio's Labrador Morning. Poker said they've had public meetings, sessions with elders and a radio announcement to share information, but "it wasn't enough." "We need to have more sessions," he said, "so people will understand what's involved in the agreement." Hydro-Québec told CBC News it will provide a comment later on Wednesday. Youth continue 130 km walk Hydro-Québec suspended its site survey work at Gull Island last week after several members of Labrador's Innu community blockaded the area. Meanwhile, some youths from Sheshatshiu are on their third day of walking 130 kilometres to Gull Island to raise their own concerns. "I just want people to know that we're not giving up. We're still in great spirits," Percey Montague, 17, told CBC News on Wednesday. "We're going to continue this walk and hopefully finish it." Angel Jourdain said there's been unexpected support from people donating food, drinks and gas. Others have also joined in the walk, which Montague says is "one of the biggest motivators." "It just shows that more people are engaged than we thought," he said. Innu leadership trying to be transparent, says Poker The Innu Nation reached an agreement in principle with Hydro-Québec in late June, which will see the corporation pay $87 million to a reconciliation fund over 16 years. The agreement also provides a framework for Gull Island development, the potential next hydroelectric megaproject on the Churchill River. LISTEN | CBC's Regan Burden speaks with Innu Nation advisor Prote Poker: The agreement can only be finalized after a community vote in the fall. Poker says Innu Nation leadership are trying to be transparent and they want to have smaller information sessions broken down by age. "Ultimately it will be up to the people to ratify it," said Poker. Labrador's Innu communities traditionally have an annual gathering on Gull Island during the third week of September, known as the Manishan Nui. Protesters have said the loss of land is not worth the money. Poker said they are trying not to disrupt the gathering site at Gull Island. He says there will be a meeting "soon" with Hydro-Québec, where they will discuss the protest and what can be done. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.
CBC
16-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Community needs more info about Hydro-Québec agreement, says Innu Nation advisor
An advisor with the Innu Nation says they "need to do more" to inform people about the tentative agreement with Hydro-Québec, as community members protest the proposed hydroelectric project at Gull Island. "We feel that we need to put more information out to the people," Innu Nation advisor Prote Poker told CBC Radio's Labrador Morning. Poker said they've had public meetings, sessions with elders and a radio announcement to share information, but "it wasn't enough." "We need to have more sessions," he said, "so people will understand what's involved in the agreement." Hydro-Québec told CBC News it will provide a comment later on Wednesday. Youth continue 130 km walk Hydro-Québec suspended its site survey work at Gull Island last week after several members of Labrador's Innu community blockaded the area. Meanwhile, some youths from Sheshatshiu are on their third day of walking 130 kilometres to Gull Island to raise their own concerns. "I just want people to know that we're not giving up. We're still in great spirits," Percey Montague, 17, told CBC News on Wednesday. "We're going to continue this walk and hopefully finish it." Angel Jourdain said there's been unexpected support from people donating food, drinks and gas. Others have also joined in the walk, which Montague says is "one of the biggest motivators." "It just shows that more people are engaged than we thought," he said. Innu leadership trying to be transparent, says Poker The Innu Nation reached an agreement in principle with Hydro-Québec in late June, which will see the corporation pay $87 million to a reconciliation fund over 16 years. The agreement also provides a framework for Gull Island development, the potential next hydroelectric megaproject on the Churchill River. The agreement can only be finalized after a community vote in the fall. Poker says Innu Nation leadership are trying to be transparent and they want to have smaller information sessions broken down by age. "Ultimately it will be up to the people to ratify it," said Poker. Labrador's Innu communities traditionally have an annual gathering on Gull Island during the third week of September, known as the Manishan Nui. Protesters have said the loss of land is not worth the money. Poker said they are trying not to disrupt the gathering site at Gull Island. He says there will be a meeting "soon" with Hydro-Québec, where they will discuss the protest and what can be done.
CBC
15-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Sheshatshiu youth walk 130KM to protect Gull Island
Several younger residents of Sheshatshui are taking it upon themselves to have their concerns heard over the proposed hydroelectric project at Gull Island. "I want our government to treat the youth like they matter. I want my voice to be heard," Percey Montague, 17, told CBC News on Monday. Montague said he doesn't have faith in leadership to represent his community's concerns, after an agreement in principle was signed between between Hydro-Québec and Innu Nation in late June. On Monday, Montague began walking the 130 kilometres from Sheshatshiu to Gull Island to raise awareness of his concerns and those of his community. Joining him are Angel Jourdain, Patrick Jourdain and Mya Pone. The walk is expected to take just over two days. "My concerns are for the protection of our history and our culture and whatever artifacts may be still out there in the land," Montague said. "If this land gets flooded or developed, we may lose a large part of our history." WATCH | The walk is expected to take around 50 hours to complete: Sheshatshiu youth protesting proposed Gull Island project by walking 130 km to site 3 hours ago Duration 2:16 High temperatures and flies didn't stop four youths from Sheshatshiu from protesting the proposed Gull Island hydroelectric project. They're walking the 130 km road from Sheshatshiu to Gull Island, which was blocked off late last week in a fellow protest. The CBC's Regan Burden reports. The group is walking to join several other members of the community who have been holding up a blockade since Wednesday. The blockade protests Hydro-Québec's preliminary site survey work. The agreement in principle between Hydro-Quebec and Innu Nation can only be finalized once it is presented to and voted on by the community in September. Montague said that if the community voted for its ratification, he wants to see the agreement completely renegotiated. He said he would like to see more Innu ownership of the dam or an annual percentage of power that his community would get free of charge. "I believe that since these projects are taking place on Innu land that we should be getting way more, not just cash," Montague said. In a statement to CBC News on Thursday, Hydro-Québec spokesperson Caroline Des Rosiers said the company is in the process of establishing a "mechanism for dialogue with members of the community," and hopes to do so in collaboration with the leadership of Innu Nation, in keeping with their customary practices. "I call this deal a slap in the face," said Jerome Jack, who has been protesting with the blockade. Jack said the compensation in the agreement does not account for the cultural and environmental damage the development would cause. To Montague, Gull Island is an important place for his family and his community. His mother has a cabin on the island. Every September, hundreds from communities across the region come together for a gathering and quality time on the land and with each other. In the lead up to the community's vote in the fall, Montague said he wants his community to think about the lack of response from the Innu leadership to his calls for concern. "I think this is very disappointing and I think it's really telling of our government's inability to listen to us," he said.
CBC
15-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Sheshatshiu youth walk 130-km to protect Gull Island
New Percey Montague says Innu leadership must hear the concerns of the youth "I want our government to treat the youth like they matter. I want my voice to be heard." Percey Montague, 17, opposes the proposed hydroelectric project on Gull Island. He also said he doesn't have faith in the Innu Nation leadership to represent the community's concerns with the agreement in principle made between Hydro-Quebec and the Innu Nation in late June. On Monday, Montague began walking 130 kilometres from Sheshatshiu to Gull Island to raise awareness of his concerns and those of his community along with Angel Jourdain, Patrick Jourdain and Mya Pone. The walk is expected to take around 50 hours to complete and they will arrive sometime this week. "My concerns are for the protection of our history and our culture and whatever artifacts may be still out there in the land," Montague said. "If this land gets flooded or developed, we may lose a large part of our history." Image | Percey Montague Caption: Angel Jourdain, Percey Montague, Patrick Jourdain, Mya Pone (l to r) are started the 130 kilometre walk from Sheshatshiu to Gull Island on Monday. (Regan Burden/CBC) Open Image in New Tab The group are walking to join several members of the Innu community who have been holding up a blockade on the island since last Wednesday. The blockade protests Hydro-Quebec's preliminary site surveying work for the proposed hydroelectric project. The agreement in principle between Hydro-Quebec and the Innu Nation can only be finalized once it is presented to and voted on by the community in September. Montague said that if the community voted for its ratification, he wants to see the agreement completely renegotiated. He said he would like to see more Innu ownership of the dam or an annual percentage of power that his community would get free of charge. "I believe that since these projects are taking place on Innu land that we should be getting way more, not just cash," Montague said. In a statement to CBC News on Thursday, Hydro-Quebec spokesperson Caroline Des Rosiers said, "Hydro-Québec is in the process of establishing a mechanism for dialogue with members of the community. That said, we wish to do so in collaboration with the leadership of Innu Nation, in keeping with their customary practices." "I call this deal a slap in the face," said Jerome Jack, who has been protesting with the blockade. Jack said the compensation in the agreement does not account for the cultural and environmental damage the development would cause. To Montague, Gull Island is an important place for his family and his community. His mother has a cabin on the island. Every September, hundreds from communities across the region come together for a gathering filled with activities, quality time on the land and with each other. In the lead up to the community's vote in the fall, Montague said he wants his community to think about the lack of response from the Innu leadership to his calls for concern. "I think this is very disappointing and I think it's really telling of our government's inability to listen to us," he said.
