Around thirty Indigenous artists will be present at the First Nations Book Fair this week, including five from the North Shore.
The 13th edition of the Salon will take place at the Maison de laliterature, the Morrin Center and the Multi de Méduse room, in Quebec, from November 14 to 17.
For Kananish Mckenzie, an Innu artist from Matimekush-Lac John, this will be the occasion for a first visit to the Salon. At only 21 years old, she hopes to inspire young people to get involved in causes that are close to their hearts.
« [Il faut] invite young people to get involved in protecting the territory. It’s really important, whether it’s in writing or in mobilizing,” she says.
Kananish is one of the spokespersons for the First Nations Youth Network of Quebec and Labrador. She will present at the Salon the collection The indigenous youth of Quebec, in which she wrote a chapter entitled The territory, an identity.
“I talk a lot about my journey, since I was young. From having lived in the north until I moved [à Québec]here in town. »
She will host a panel on Friday on the engagement of indigenous youth, alongside Karine Awashish and Sabryna Godbout, who also participated in the collection.
Writing after politics
The former head of Pessamit, Raphaël Picard, will present his third novel, titled Nutshimit: Toward Uinipekuet and lostness.
He will also take part in a discussion with the former head of Wendake, Konrad Sioui, on writing after politics.
“My book is not political, ultimately,” shares Raphaël Picard. “I have a cultural, historical and anthropological message that I needed to convey. »
However, he believes that his political background had an influence on these writings, which all address the occupation of the territory.
“We had made a lot of territorial claims at the court level,” recalls Mr. Picard. “I still had good inspiration from what I did in politics, but not in terms of scenarios. [C’est] the motivation that came from there. »
The story of a wolverine
For her part, Katia Bacon, also from Pessamit, will read an extract from her very first novel at the Literary Cabaret Kwahiatonhk! on Saturday.
The book, with the provisional title of Kuakuatsheuor wolverine in Innu, will tell the story of Katia’s grandfather, exploring his connection to this little-known animal.
“The wolverine, in fact, is unloved,” she explains. “I think it’s unfair that I don’t like him, because all the wolverine wants is to live his life. I think that describes my grandfather well. »
The author believes that the First Nations Book Fair is a place that can give hope to Indigenous authors of all ages.
“I remember when I was younger, secretly I wanted to be famous and do something very special in life,” says Katia Bacon. “But you know, that couldn’t be done as an Innu in a community. Just writing a book was something you couldn’t imagine. You could dream of that, but it was still a dream. […] I want the world to remember that it can be done. »
Carole Labarre and Alexis Vollant, both from Pessamit, will also be visiting the First Nations Book Fair.
Carole Labarre will participate in the official launch show Kwaweyih/TogetherThursday, accompanied by other great female figures of indigenous literature. Alexis Vollant, for his part, will participate in the Salon’s first Indigiqueer literary happening on Friday, with other invited artists.
