Innu leader David Nuke remembered for decades spent fighting for justice

David Nuke died on April 28 in Happy valley-Goose Bay at the age of 64. (Heidi Atter/CBC)

Former Innu Nation grand chief David Nuke is being remembered for his passion by those who knew him and how he was determined to get justice for his family and people.

He was at the Labrador Health Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay when he died on Sunday. He was 64.

Chief of Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation Etienne Rich said Nuke was part of the "old guard" of activists like Ben Michel, Daniel Ashini, Gregory Penashue and Bart Jack.

"That is where David was, in that company," said Rich, adding that they were the people who set out to "start the long road to protect Innu rights."

"David was one of the early Innu activists. And was still active until he became ill a couple of months ago," Rich said.

In the summer, Nuke had testified at the inquiry into the treatment of Innu children, where he called on the commissioners to create a report that results in meaningful change.

"I'm a victim of the church. I'm also a victim of residential school. And also a victim of [the Sixties Scoop]," Nuke told the commissioners, referring to an era in which federal policy oversaw an estimated 20,000 Indigenous children removed from their families' homes to be placed in foster homes.

At the time, Nuke had said the system had failed the Innu.

Rich, who was Nuke's nephew, said Nuke spent time at a St. John's hospital, recovering from a coma, before he was transferred to Happy Valley-Goose Bay for several months.

"It's hard to know where to start to summarize David. How can I wrap up into a few words what a force this man was and what he meant to our communities?" said Rich.

For decades, Nuke was a strong voice for Innu, said Rich, adding that he also learned a lot from working alongside his uncle. One lesson he recalled Nuke passing along was to never forget that he was working for the Innu.

"He shared his insight and his knowledge and always gave me a different perspective," said Rich.

Innu lawyer Jolene Ashini said she knew Nuke her entire life and that he worked closely with her father and other leaders. She recalled watching them as they planned their advocacy work at her family's kitchen table.

"I guess I bore witness to all of these great things that they were able to accomplish in their life. And I think that that's something that I'll forever take with me," she said.

Open with community

Nuke was elected as president of Innu Nation in 1998 despite an extensive criminal record with more than 20 convictions, including sexual assault, robbery, forgery and fraud.

In 2007 Nuke was convicted of asking a minor to have sex for money.

Nuke had struggled with alcohol addiction, and Ashini said it was important to Nuke that he be open with the community about it so they understood him.

She said other leaders also had similar struggles and it was hard for them to fight public battles for the recognition of Innu rights, be told "no" by the government and suffer because of that.

"But with David, he wanted to be accountable and transparent to his community, to show that he also struggled with these types of things. He also was a part of one of the first generations born into colonization and assimilation," Ashini said.

Nuke also inspired her to become a lawyer, she said.

No matter how much time had passed, Ashini said wherever she saw Nuke she got a hug and he would tell her how proud he was of her accomplishments.

Nuke's funeral service will take place on May 1 at the Sheshatshiu Innu School gymnasium at 1 p.m., according to his obituary.

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