The 13the First Nations Book Fair, which will be held in different locations in Quebec (notably the Maison de laliterature and the Morrin Centre) from November 14 to 17, is much more than an Indigenous book fair. An event that brings together literary shows, signing sessions, poetry lunches, creative workshops, youth activities and scientific conferences, it is in a way a festival celebrating the richness and diversity of indigenous writings.
“The First Nations Book Fair is the only event in the Americas that brings together such a large number of indigenous authors. It is truly a unique event which, thanks to a wide variety of creative and dissemination activities, makes it possible to give broad visibility to indigenous voices in several languages. In particular, we get rid of the binary between English-speaking Canada and French-speaking Canada in a context of literary autochthony where this border is more porous. It’s also an event that highlights research in the field,” says Marie-Ève Bradette, professor in the Department of Literature, Theater and Cinema, and administrator of the Kwahiatonhk! organization, which organizes this book fair.
However, since the pandemic, the scientific aspect of the event was confined to a few, somewhat scattered, online conferences. To the delight of lovers of indigenous prose, the Chair in Teaching Leadership (CLE) on Indigenous Literatures in Quebec – Maurice-Lemire, of which Marie-Ève Bradette holds, brings back research this year among the flagship activities of the ‘event.
Indigenous literatures of Quebec in relation to various cultures
On Thursday, November 14, the conference will take place at the Maison de laliterature. Translinguistic approaches to indigenous literaturespresented by the CLE. With the objective of taking a new look at the literature of the First Peoples of Quebec, this conference will deepen the links they maintain with indigenous corpora from other geographical and linguistic areas.
For example, doctoral student Ana Kancepolsky Teichmann will connect Innu poetic language with Mapuche poetry from Argentina and Chile, while Professor Bradette will address the necessary consideration of English-language writings in the indigenous literary history of the Quebec.
The inaugural conference will be delivered by Maurizio Gatti, holder of a doctorate in literary studies from Laval University and pioneer in research on the literature of the First Peoples of Quebec. In his communication, he will show the interactions between indigenous literatures produced in Canada, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Morocco.
Balado Read related
Since 2020, the First Nations Book Fair has been an opportunity to launch a new podcast season Read related. Under the coordination of Professor Bradette, these recordings are a space for popularizing research in First Nations and Inuit literature.
“We seek to explore the diversity of critical approaches in indigenous literatures. Sometimes we call on established professors, but we also leave a lot of room for emerging research. The podcast is aimed as much at literary people as at the general public. It’s a very interesting educational tool, widely used by CEGEPs,” explains Marie-Ève Bradette.
Thus, from November 14 to 17, episodes presenting the comments of people studying in the Department of Literature, Theater and Cinema, namely Louis-Karl Picard-Sioui, Maxime Poirier-Lemelin and Maude-Lanui Baillargeon, will be available, at a rate of one new recording per day.
For all ages and for all tastes
Among the many activities of the Show, some shows will be presented in the Multi room of the Méduse complex. On Saturday evening, the literary cabaret Kwahiatonhk! 2024 will bring together several big names in Indigenous literature, including the writer Louis-Karl Picard-Sioui, newly enrolled in a doctorate in literary studies at Laval University. This evening of words and music promises great surprises.
The public is also invited to visit the exhibitor booths set up at the Morrin Center and to attend the conferences which will be held at the Maison de la lettres. In addition to these locations hosting the majority of the Salon’s activities, the event will also take place in different locations in the city, such as the La Maison Smith café in Limoilou and the Quebec Library network.
Consult the program, made up of varied activities, several of which are aimed at a wide audience.
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