Precious Little By Camille fouillard
An extraordinary literary fiction debut from an award-winning writer and activist, set in the remote Labrador Innu community of Utshimassits, exploring grief, trauma, unlearning, and healing.
One cold February morning in 1992, Anna receives a phone call, a request to work with the Utshimassiu Innu in Labrador to organize a people's inquiry, a self-examination into a house fire that killed six children. Eager to escape a complicated relationship and afraid to face the grief of losing her father, Anna accepts the invitation. She catches a plane, painfully aware that she doesn't have a clue what a people's inquiry might look like, and heads for Nitassinan.
, written
This book written by Camille Fouillard and Kanani Davis is an elementary text soon to go to press. It is part of a series on Indigenous peoples in Canada. The book references Nutaui’s Cap as a possible resource.
This book is now available through bookstores and the publisher, University of Manitoba Press. Elizabeth was a key activist in the NATO low-level flying protests 1986-90, the setting of Nutai’s Cap. She is a strong advocate for Innu culture and traditions and has received many honours and awards, including a National Aboriginal Achievement Award and an honorary doctorate from Memorial University.
As this book is somewhat dated (1995), it is probably best to obtain through Amazon. Journalist and filmmaker, Marie Wadden, describes the Innu history and the struggle to reclaim their land from NATO low-level flying and other major developments. She also describes a military overflight while staying in the country with an Innu family. This is all background and setting for the book, Nutaui’s Cap. P.S. The photograph on the cover of Marie Wadden’s book is mine.
This book is edited by Nympha Byrne and Camille Fouillard. Nympha is an Addictions/Health Promotion Specialist. I met her in Davis Inlet, before it was moved to Nutuashish. It's Like the Legend contains the stories of Innu women from Labrador, shedding light on their efforts to preserve both their land and their traditional way of life. These women played a significant role in resistance and civil disobedience to NATO low level flights. This is a collection of memoirs, legends, poetry, essays, speeches, and testimonies. Amazon prices are very high. Check the internet for alternatives.
George Gregoire, an Innu man born in the Labrador bush tells his memoirs. The reader follows the storyteller to see the Innu Culture and society from the inside. He tells stories of his childhood, his life as a hunter, a father and of his adult life. George describes the encroachment of Canadian society and the Innu struggle to reclaim their dignity, culture and regaining control over their culture and homeland.
You are invited to accompany Giant (Michel Andrew) on a journey of 400 km across Northeastern Nitassinan (Labrador)on snowshoes pulling his supplies on a toboggan. Giant was inspired by a dream about his deceased grandfather. The text is accompanied by many stunning photographs. The walk was organized to raise awareness and funds for diabetes, a common disease of his people.
Peter Armitage in this book examines the history, culture, changing fortunes, and future prospects of the Montagnais-Naskapi Indians. It includes a picture essay on their crafts.
Peter Armitage is an anthropologist who has worked with indigenous groups including the Innu. I met him during the years of protest. One of his latest projects is to place Innu names to the lakes, rivers and geographical features of Labrador. Armitage said the project could mean major additions to the map of Labrador. Many places with no official name will get an Innu one, while known places with English names will get a second, Innu name.
Jose Mailhot is an anthropologist who has studied the Innu of Quebec and Labrador for many years. Her extensive research has included the culture, language and history of the people.
This 53 minute documentary, which is available from the National Film Board was filmed during this time of protest. We got to host Nigel Markham, the filmmaker, for a meal while he was in Happy Valley. NFB describes its contents as: “The hunters are the Innu people and the bombers are the air forces of several NATO countries, which conduct low-level over the Innu’s hunting terrain. The impact of the jets is hotly debated by peace groups, natives, environmentalists and the military. But what is often overlooked are the many complex changes underway in Innu society, as social and technological changes confront a traditional hunting culture.”