Chesterfield Inlet (Apr 03/06) - The former teacher at Victor Sammurtok school in Chesterfield Inlet who began a hunger strike on Feb. 16 was medevaced to Churchill this past week when his health took a turn for the worse.

Francis Mazhero began the strike to protest his dismissal in 2002 over unfounded claims of inappropriate touching by a 14-year-old female student.

In an interview two weeks ago, Mazhero said he will continue his hunger strike until he receives justice or dies trying.

"No one takes a hunger strike lightly because to do so would demean people like Mahatma Gandhi and all those heroes of the Irish struggle," Mazhero said. "That's exactly where I'm at now.

"In the event I die from the hunger strike, the coroner will hold, I hope, an inquest into my death," Mazhero said. "I'm telling my side of the story before this tragedy occurs."