Oldest living Innu dies at 103 in Sheshatshiu

A respected elder considered to be the oldest living Innu died Tuesday in Labrador.

Shimun Michel Sr., 103, died October 30 at his daughter's home in Sheshatshiu while surrounded by his family and friends.

A spiritual man who felt strong about his culture and believed the Innu"have a caribou spirit master," Michel Sr. often spoke of life on the land, said Deputy Grand Chief Etienne Rich.

"He would always talk about the land," said Rich, "the land issues, and the caribou."

Death leaves a big hole: Grand Chief Rich

When Michel Sr. was born in 1914 inNitassinan, the Innu still lived a traditional nomadic lifestyle in their ancestral territory covering theeastern portion of the Labrador peninsula.

His family relocated toSheshatshiu in the 1950s.

Michel Sr. was involved with Innu land issues from their early beginnings through to thedevelopment of megaprojects like Voisey's Bay and Muskrat Falls.

He was fighting for rights he believed were "grounded first and foremost," said Rich, in respect for the land and animals.

Despite his age, Michel Sr. remainedactive and involved in his community, Rich said. He was well into his 90s whenhe traveled to sign the partnership agreement between Nalcor Energy and Emera Inc. for the Lower Churchill Project in 2010.

His death leaves a big hole inSheshatshiuandNatuashish, inthe Innucommunity and in the Innuheritage, said Rich.

"He was really good person to listen to, to talk about the history of the Innu."

Michel Sr.'s funeralwill be held inSheshatshiuon Saturday.

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