An Innu Elder, mother and grandmother testified before the Inquiry Respecting Innu Children in Care yesterday.

Elizabeth Penashue, who has been widely recognized for her work in keeping Innu children connected to the land, their culture and history, wiped away tears as she described the pain she felt when she witnessed a child being removed from his parents by a social worker.

Speaking through an interpreter, Penashue says the incident affected her very deeply, and even the translators appeared emotional as she described the incident.

She says the child immediately wanted to return his family and his mother.

She was so upset she called the department to ask whether the child could be returned to the family but was only told the child was doing alright.

Penashue recalled how happy and self-reliant the Innu were when they lived on the land in tents—before they were moved into houses. She lamented how much things have changed, and says she misses the way life used to be.

Other elders miss it too Penashue testified. She says they miss “seeing (and) hearing children that are….healthy within their families.”