Inuk artist on hunger strike to push for clearing of Muskrat Falls reservoir

An Inuk artist from Labrador says he's going on a hunger strike until Nalcor commits to fully clearing the Muskrat Falls reservoir.

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Billy Gauthier ate what he said will be his last meal salmon from Lake Melville near RigoletThursday 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.

"I'm an artist, I'm a stone sculptor, and all of my ideas pretty much are from the land. It's where I get my inspiration from.

"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 Fallsreservoir could beginas 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.

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Gauthiersaid 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.- BillyGauthier

Gauthier said the hunger strike comes with manypotential 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."