"The land that belongs to us means a whole lot to me and my people, especially the animals we have depended on through our survival on our land. Our forefathers also had a deep respect for our land. They killed with great respect. And it is very hard for us just to look while the governments are treating our land the opposite of our ancestors. Of course the governments don't see the side effects of what they have caused upon our animals and land. They don't seem to be sorry. They are heartless. They don't have any feelings towards the Innu who are trying to protect their culture and land from further destruction. And they are hurting the future of our children. The children cry for their parents, while the authorities part them and jail them for doing no crime. The women especially who are jailed are broken-hearted to see their children crying for them not to go away.

"We have always been a peaceful people living the life we know best. We weren't dictated to by foreign governments. We have always cared for our land and animals we have killed were treated in the utmost respect. I always remember my parents when we were in the country. We were always happy even though at times it was hard. We will always practice and cherish the life we have had. And now I tell you it's very scary to imagine what the future holds for my children and grandchildren once the land and the animals are further destructed and weakened.

"We have survived and been raised until we were old enough to be on our own. I and the rest of my brothers and sisters then lived off the land. And if I had the time, I could tell of all the places that our parents took us. We were a very happy people, living a peaceful life. The children enjoyed the life. Now the dreams and living the peaceful life have been shattered. There used to be no disturbances. We were free.

"My parents have walked and traveled thousands of miles on our land. We, the children of our parents, have seen the vast area that my parents have hunted and traveled on. And when we still traveled together with my parents we used our feet and hands to travel and canoe to the places we wanted to go. And through all the hard walks on long portage canoeing the big lakes, we eventually made it to my parents' hunting area, where they would start their hunt and bring up their children, killing the animals so that we could eat meat and the fish.

"My parent brought us from Seven Islands to Shesnatshiu. And if our parents were alive today, and wanted to go back to Seven Islands by foot, that would be another story. They wouldn't find their way back because of the flooding at Michikamau, and the roads and mines that have changed the landscape so much. There has been too much destruction on our land. All of the lakes they have fished and hunted, the hills, brooks, my parents belongings, are all under water.

"Even though we accept the government's money, we feel it's only breadcrumbs compared to how much they have taken of our land. Look at how much damage they have done on our land. And the military who are practicing war games on our land have brought dangerous weapons, like bombs, that they will be dropping on the bombing ranges which are located on our lands. There will be many soldiers.

"What does the future hold for my children, especially the girls? There will be all kinds of diseases like AIDS in our land. We will lose our children. They will treat our children with disrespect. They will make fun of our children. That is what I call a crime.

"So today the court should be the other way around. Your government, the military, the RCMP as enforcers of these foreign laws, should be facing an Innu judge.

If you wish to support the Innu in their fight to be recognized as people who have an inherent right to live on their land and by their traditional lifestyle, write a letter of protest to the Prime Minister, and to the Ministers of External Affairs, of National Defense, and of Indian Affairs. Also contact your own M.P.

Christina Starr is the Managing Editor of Women's Education des femmes.