Nutaui’s Cap Reviews

From Running the Goat Website:

What folks are saying

"Though the events of Nutaui's Cap occurred decades before its intended readers were born, the book's contents need to be shared with all young Canadians during this time of renewed efforts at restitution and reconciliation with Canada's original peoples." ~ Dave Jenkinson, CM: Canadian Review of Materials

" ... a powerful and passionate picture book .... about protest and how important it is for young people to be activists." ~ Jeffrey Canton, The Globe and Mail

2. The Globe and Mail: January 2, 20

Eleven great books for young readers to kick off 2020

“Nutaui’s Cap by Bob Bartel, illustrated by Mary Ann Penashue, translated by Sebastian Piwas, Stella Rich and Mani Katinen Nuna (Innu Education and Running the Goat Books & Broadsides, 6-12) is a powerful and passionate picture book, published in English and two dialects of Innu-aimun, that celebrates UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages. Bartel simply tells the story of protests against low-flying NATO jets over traditional Innu territory in the late 1980s from the perspective of young Nanass, whose family’s traditional way of life is disrupted and threatened, movingly capturing the sense of outrage that the Innu felt, and continue to feel, over the lack of Canadian government response. It’s a story about protest and how important it is for young people to be activists.”

3. CM: Canadian Review of Materials Volume XXVI / Issue 19 - Jan. 24/2020

Nutaui's Cap

Author:

Bob Bartel

Translator:

Sebastian Piwas, Stella Rich & Mani Katinen Nuna

Illustrated by:

Mary Ann Penashue

Tors Cove, NL: Running the Goat/Mamu Tishishkutamashutau Innu Education, 2019

42 pp., trade pbk., $22.95

Grades:

Grades 3 and up

Ages:

Ages 8 and up

Review by:

Dave Jenkinson

3

Excerpt:

“Look what I caught, Nika!” I shouted, entering the tent.

“It’s an enormous namesh,” Mikaui said proudly as she and Nakum prepared our meal. “I guess we’ll be having namesh and pakueshikan.”

The family sat around the crackling campfire. Smells of frying fish and burning wood filled the air. It was my namesh, so I ate extra. It tasted delicious.

Nukum told stories of our land we call Nitassinan. Natui spoke of mashk*, nishk and especially atik*.

Without warning, a deafening boom drove us to the ground, even Nutaui. I heard my heart pound hard against my chest. Seconds later another ear-splitting blast struck us. I screamed and ran to hide in the tent. Nikaui and Nukum ran after me.

“It’s the jets,” Nikaui said holding me tight, her eyes showing her fear. (Pp. 15-16)

[Note: The words with a * had what appeared to be a very small lower case “u” at the end, a symbol that was not available on my keyboard.]

Nutaui’s Cap begins with very pastoral scene, one in which a father and his 10-year-old daughter, Nanass, leave their family’s tent with its fir bough floor to go fishing. When Nanass is successful in catching a fish, she proudly takes it back to the campsite where her mother and grandmother cook it over an open fire for a meal. Suddenly, the tranquility of the setting is shattered as low flying jet aircraft buzz their camp. At this point in Nutaui’s Cap, readers might think that they are about to read a war story and that the family is under attack.

Instead, what readers will meet in Nutaui’s Cap is a retelling of an actual event that occurred in parts of Quebec and Labrador in the 1980s when the Canadian government decided to allow jet aircraft from its NATO allies to use large tracts of what was supposedly uninhabited land to practice low-level flight training, including the dropping of practice bombs. The Innu asserted that, despite their having been relocated to villages, they still hunted and trapped as family units in these traditional lands they called “Nitassinan, our homeland”, during the spring and fall and that the noise from the tree-top flights was scaring not only the people but also disturbing the animals.

When their communications with government did not lead to any change, the Innu decided that more active measures needed to be taken, including their action of preventing the jets from taking flight by having people, including children like Nanass, walk on the airport runway. Over time, tensions rose, and finally the government arrested several of the Innu leaders, including Nanass’ father. As Nutaui was being placed in a police car, his Innu Nation ball cap, with the Innu flag on the front, fell off and was retrieved by Nanass who then wore it while her father was imprisoned far way as a reminder that “Nitassinan will always belong to the Innu.”

The text of Nutaui’s Cap is presented in a sandwich-like manner. An opening note explains: “The Labrador Innu speak two dialects of their language Innu-aimun. In this text the Sheshatshiu dialect is presented first, followed by the English and finally the Mushuau dialect.” At the conclusion of the “story” portion of the book, there is a four-page “Backgrounder” to Nutaui’s Cap which places the story into its factual historical context. An additional page provides a map of Labrador. The map’s usefulness is somewhat diminished by its not explaining some of the labels on the map, such as “corridors”, though visually it does reveal the significant amount of land that was being appropriated for low level training. The book concludes with a 16-page “Aimuna” in which the Innu words are translated into English. In most cases, one of Mary Ann Penshue’s simple colour illustrations occupies one page of each pair of facing pages. In some cases, her illustrations help to establish the setting while in others they reinforce the actions being described in the text.

Considering Nutaui’s Cap only from the perspective of its English text, some adult intervention may be needed in order to get the book into the hands of children. The book’s cover art and its title are not very enticing, and, as can be seen in the above excerpt, the English text also incorporates a number of Innu words. Though the reader can turn to the “Aimuna”, it includes all of the words in the Innu texts and not just the few words located within the English portion. Translating the words into English on the page in which they were used or providing this portion of the book with its own small Innu/English dictionary might have been a more reader-friendly approach. While Penashue’s illustration on p. 13 might assist readers in guessing that a “namesh” is a fish, her artwork on p. 19 will not help them to identify that “mashk*”, “nishk” and “atik*” are, respectively, bear, goose and caribou. A pronunciation guide to the Innu words in the English text would have been most useful as well. It’s difficult for readers to connect with the book’s central character, Nutaui, when they aren’t even certain they are pronouncing her name correctly.

Though the events of Nutaui’s Cap occurred decades before its intended readers were born, the book’s contents need to be shared with all young Canadians during this time of renewed efforts at restitution and reconciliation with Canada’s original peoples.

Recommended

Reviewer:

Dave Jenkinson, CM’s editor, lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

4. JOAN SULLIVAN: New children’s titles explore tradition and struggle - Jan 3/20 Telegram

2019 was the UN International Year of Indigenous Language, and “Nutauiʼs Cap” is an impressive initiative: “The Labrador Innu speak two dialects of their language Innu- aimun. In this text the Sheshatshiu dialect is presented first, followed by the English and finally the Mushuau dialect.” (The book also includes a “Backgrounder,” a JOAN SULLIVAN: New children’s titles explore tradition and stru... https://www.thetelegram.com/lifestyles/local-lifestyles/joan-sulliva... 2 of 4 2020-01-29, 4:20 p.m. “Nutauiʼs Cap,” by Bob Bartell, illustrated by Mary Ann Penashue; Translate by Sebastien Piwas, Stella Rich, and Mani Katinen Nuna; Running the Goat Books & Broadsides; $22.95; 68 pages. map, and a dictionary:“ituteht they go somewhere on foot.”) Nanass is 10, and has been camping for two months with her family. Today is the day she will learn to fish. “Nutaui (my father) grabbed his well-worn blue Innu Nation ball cap on the way out. The Innu flag on the front showed the world where he belonged.” The expedition is a success, the namesh (fish) fried and consumed. But then: “Without warning, a deafening boom drove us to the ground, even Nutaui. I heard my heart pound hard against my chest. Seconds later another ear-splitting blast struck us. I screamed and ran to hide in the tent. Nikaui and Nukum (my grandmother) ran after me. “‘Itʼs the jets,ʼ Nikaui said holding me tight, her eyes showing her fear. “‘They were so low,ʼ I said, ‘they almost touched the trees. The animals must be afraid too.ʼ” It was the military conducting low-level flying, bombing tests in a range that included Innu campsites. Nutaui called a meeting of all the Innu elders. “‘Canada is not listening to us. We will walk on the airport runway so the jets will not fly.ʼ ‘Can I come too?ʼ I asked. ‘The young and the old must all walk.ʼ” Together they climbed the fences and blocked the runways. They were taken away in buses, but came back. They set up a protest camp, with wood stoves and woven bough floors. The police said they were trespassing. “‘This is Nitassinan, our homeland,ʼ Nutaui reminded him. People get arrested, including Nutaui. As he was placed in the police car, “his Innu Nation ball cap fell into the dirt.” JOAN SULLIVAN: New children’s titles explore tradition and stru... https://www.thetelegram.com/lifestyles/local-lifestyles/joan-sulliva... 3 of 4 2020-01-29, 4:20 p.m. Nanass collects it; a comfort and a talisman. Now perhaps the hat is becoming part of her family memory, her tradition. As a visual parallel, Penashueʼs artwork evocative in line and palette. These lovely publications are in good keeping with Running the Goatʼs commitment to producing quality childrenʼs literature. Joan Sullivan is editor of Newfoundland Quarterly magazine. She reviews both fiction and non-fiction for The Telegram.

5. Six books to read in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day The Saskatoon Star Phoenix June 20/20

BY HILARY KLASSEN

With COVID-19 protocols still holding sway over public gatherings, why not get your nose in a book to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day! These stories will transport you into Indigenous heritage and culture. Here are some recommendations from the Regina Public Library (RPL) to get you started.

IN MY OWN MOCCASINS:

A MEMOIR OF RESILIENCE

By Helen Knott

Nominated for a 2020 Saskatchewan Book Award, Helen Knott’s first book is an unforgettable portrait of the personal struggles she faced as a young Indigenous woman. In an open and candid manner, Knott explores difficult stories too often ignored or left in the shadows – violence against women, addiction, and intergenerational trauma. By sharing her story, Knott has created a safe space for discussion, and for anyone who sees themselves in this work to share their own challenges and experiences. Knott’s journey is one of redemption and healing and navigating her way to peace on the other side of trauma. This inspiring account is marked by courage and the power conveyed in speaking your truth. Knott is a poet and activist, has spoken before the United Nations and been selected for the RBC Taylor Prize Emerging Writers mentorship program.

PEACE AND GOOD ORDER: THE CASE FOR INDIGENOUS

JUSTICE IN CANADA

By Harold R. Johnson

Local author Johnson’s latest book made this year’s shortlist for the Saskatchewan Book Awards. Based on the author’s experiences as a Crown prosecutor in the north of the province, Johnson outlines the failings of the current Canadian judicial system to meet the needs of our Indigenous Peoples. The short book begings by pointing out that incarceration rates of Indigenous Peoples in this province are substantially higher than almost any other group in the country. The work closes with a plea to develop a better system of justice to serve our Indigenous communities. In between, Johnson recounts numerous failings of the system, often ones that have affected him personally. At a time when people across North America and around the world are looking at injustices in police forces and the treatment of minority peoples in the court system, this is essential reading.

WHEN WE WERE ALONE

By David A. Robertson and illustrated by Julie Flett

This beautifully illustrated picture book was the winner of the Governor General’s Award for young people’s illustrated book in 2017. The story unfolds as a granddaughter asks her grandmother a series of questions such as why her grandmother wears colourful clothes and has such long hair. The answers bring about a reflection on the grandmother’s time at residential school. The book does not shy away from the grandmother’s painful experiences, but also shows her pride and perseverance. A powerful read for families.

BONE BLACK

By Carol Rose Goldeneagle

Saskatchewan author Goldeneagle has been shortlisted for multiple Saskatchewan Book Awards this year. In this new novel, Wren Strongeagle’s twin sister Raven mysteriously disappears, and local police dismiss it as a woman running off with a new lover. With a need for justice and revenge Wren descends into darkness and begins to prey on the predator by murdering men who had victimized Indigenous women. This novel focuses on the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous woman and the lack of response by the police and justice system.

A GIRL CALLED ECHO

Graphic novel series by Katherena Vermette

This graphic novel series follows Echo Desjardins, a 13-year-old Métis girl who is living in a new home and attending a new school after being separated from her mother. Throughout the series, Echo jumps back in time to key moments in Métis history, and experiences the events with teens who lived through them. The significance of the past, and its effects on the present are thoughtfully explored. Each book has a timeline in the back offering more information. Start with Volume One of the series, Pemmican Wars.

These five selections were chosen by RPL’S Collections Manager Geoffrey Allen, Children’s & Young Adult Collections Lead Jessica Cammer, Cerys Gordon and Trudi Stafford at the Regina Public Library.

NUTAUI’S CAP

By Bob Bartel

Recently brought to my attention by a writer friend is the children’s book, Nutaui’s Cap. This Saskatchewan author takes us to Labrador where he lived and worked for a season. Nanas, a young Innu girl, protests the low-level flying of NATO supersonic jets that disrupt her family’s traditional way of life. Her people and the wildlife they depend on are endangered. Nanas is eager to join in the social action, but when her father is arrested, she has only his wellworn ball cap to comfort her. In 1986, a historic struggle in the Innu nation for their rights and land was becoming intense. It was a formative time when stories of courage and heroism helped banish despair and invite hope for the future. The book is presented in the two dialects of the Labrador Innu as well as English, and beautifully illustrated by Mary Ann Penashue.