Elizabeth Penashue’s Final Walk (Updated: Audio Added)

70 year old Elizabeth Penashue is a well known Innu elder who recently completed her last journey into the country.

We spoke with Penashue this morning about her final walk.

She began her walk to Nutshimit on March 2 and returned on March 28, 2015.

During her final walk she was prepared by using snowshoes and a toboggan.

Penashue said her walk in 2014 would be her last, but the Elder longed to return to the land for one more journey.

Penashue and about 20 other members of her community left Sheshatshiu on March 2 and headed towards the Mealy Mountains to their final destination at Pants Lake.

The trip was bittersweet for Penashue as Pants Lake is where her late husband Francis Penashue’s ashes are buried.

She was determined to make the trip “one last time” to say a final goodbye to her beloved husband.

Penashue was saying her last farewells; it was heartbreaking to hear her telling him she wouldn’t be doing it again next year.

Penashue’s son Jack Penashue said he was there to help set up the camps along the way.

He added this was his mother’s 17th walk.

To hear more from Elizabeth Penashue on her final walk, click here.