Elizabeth Penashue, an Innu Elder and an activist from Sheshatshiu, remembers the Queens visit to Labrador.
She said she was picking berries when she heard Queen Elizabeth II had passed away last Thursday.
“I couldn’t believe it. I was shocked to hear that,” she said.
Queen Elizabeth II visited Newfoundland and Labrador 3 times, in 1959, 1977 and 1978. Her visit in 1977 included stops in Sheshatshiu and North West River where she opened the Labrador Interpretation Centre.
Penashue still remembers the excitement of her visit.
“When people come to know she’s going to come to Labrador, everybody worked hard and worked together”, she said.
Penashue had set up a tent on the Sheshatshiu beach, where community members of all ages would gather.
“I try to make it nice, my tent. I ask my son, Peter, I said bring Queen Elizabth II inside my tent,” and she remembers her son was doubtful, he said “I don’t think she’s going to come inside.”
On the event of her tent, her tent was full of children and elders in addition to the crowds of people outside.
“I stand up. I opened my tent. I was surprised”.
Queen Elziabeth II went inside and greeted the people gathered there including Penashue, “I was so happy”, and goes on “Oh my God, I was so happy, oh my, I never thought I would see you and touch your hand”.
Penashue was really fascinated by the Royal Family, and even has a collection of books and magazines about the Queen.
“She was very nice, very nice woman, and she’s so important”, Penashue said.