Inuk artist on hunger strike to push for clearing of Muskrat Falls reservoir
'Without Lake Melville, my family couldn't have survived in this area,' says Billy Gauthier
An Inuk artist from Labrador says he's going on a hunger strike until Nalcor commits to fully clearing the Muskrat Falls reservoir.
Billy Gauthier ate what he said will be his last meal — salmon from Lake Melville near Rigolet — Thursday night. He recorded a video of himself eating the meal and posted it on his Facebook page as an act of protest.
"Unfortunately, they took it to this [extreme] point. By them, I mean Nalcor," Gauthier told CBC Radio's Labrador Morning.
"See, this here land is the land that built me. Without this land, without Lake Melville, my family couldn't have survived in this area and many, many, many, many families before that couldn't survive in the area," he said.
"If you take that from me, my ability to go out and do my traditional cultural practices which, in large part is hunting and fishing — you take a big portion of my culture from me."
Flooding the Muskrat Falls reservoir could begin as soon as Saturday.
"If they flood that area, I will not eat," said Gauthier, who wants the reservoir cleared of vegetation before the flooding.
Many, including the Nunatsiavut government, believe clearing will reduce methylmercury levels.
Earlier this week, Environment Minister Perry Trimper said the province is exploring options but a complete clearing isn't possible.
- N.L. promises to re-examine Muskrat Falls reservoir clearing as Indigenous groups push for change
- Nalcor downplays study findings into methylmercury fears at Muskrat Falls
- Muskrat Falls protesters gather at Confederation Building, third protest of day
Gauthier said he regrets having not participated in any local protests until now, aside from showing support on social media.
"This is the best way that I could think of without being violent."
Hard to tell family
He said committing to the hunger strike was a difficult decision, but one he made quickly. He said telling his family — his daughter, especially — was one of the most difficult things he's ever done.
"It was one of the hardest phone calls I ever had in my life … I told her exactly what I was doing and how far I was going to go, and I mean that. I'm going all the way," he said.
"I've certainly cried a few times because I realize it's a multi-billion-dollar company and that I truly am willing to go all the way."
I hope I don't have to go the whole way to do it, but I will.- Billy Gauthier
Gauthier said the hunger strike comes with many potential long-term impacts, including blindness and organ failure. But he stressed that he isn't suicidal.
"I love life, I love my daughter, I love my family ... I love my artwork … all I want is for Nalcor to do exactly what they said they were going to do in the beginning. That's all I want."
Gauthier said the Inuit people have a long history of self-sacrifice for the good of the greater community, and believes it's his "cultural right" to decline food and medical treatment down the road, should it come to that.
"I hope I don't have to go the whole way to do it, but I will."
With files from Labrador Morning