How a desperate hunger strike paved the way for a brighter future in Miawpukek

A hunger strike that happened four decades ago has brought people in Miawpukek First Nation together for remembrance and reflection.

People in the community of Conne River marked the 40-year milestone at the Ta'n Etl-Mawita'mk Community Centre, featuring four of the nine hunger strikers: Aubrey Joe, Billy Joe, Rick Jeddore and Miawpukek First Nation Chief Mi'sel Joe.

Three of the hunger strikers, Wilfred Drew, Chesley Joe and George Drew, have since died.

From Monday evening and into Tuesday afternoon, people gathered at the community centre for cultural activities as well as storytelling sessions with the remaining hunger strikers. In solidarity with the historic strike, some people chose to fast for 24 hours or more leading up to Tuesday's traditional feast.

Chief Mi'sel Joe addressed the community from a podium with a microphone, reflecting on the drastic actions he took in 1983 as a new chief.

"It's memories that are sweet, and memories that are full of pain," he said.

While remembering the past with solemnity, Mi'sel Joe took time to reflect on the forward progress he's seen in Miawpukek First Nation in his four decades as chief.

"I'd be lying to you if I said it was an easy transition to where we are today," he said.

In April 1983, people from Miawpukek travelled to St. John's to confront the provincial government. Over $800,000 of federal funding was being held by the Newfoundland government, who refused to release it without taking $60,000 off the top for administrative fees.

The money had been held up for a year.

In a decisive move, Mi'sel Joe and over 80 others from the community chartered a bus to St. John's to directly confront the people who refused to release the money. The group went straight to the offices of the Department of Rural, Agricultural and Northern Development in the St John's Atlantic Place building, and over 30 of them went inside.

Then they padlocked the door.

It wasn't long before police broke their way in and removed the protesters. Mi'sel Joe said he remembers sitting against the wall when a large officer broke through the drywall next to him. 

"That was a surprise," Joe recalled.