In a world where cultural identities are sometimes misunderstood, author Joannie Gill wants to make young people aware of the value of indigenous first names, an exercise that involves dialogue with children and their parents.
To do this, she organized, among other things, a workshop at the Saint-Albert library, in Quebec, as part of the First Nations Book Fair last fall.
Come in, welcome everyone
says a smiling Joannie Gill, her children’s book in hand and accompanied by her two daughters, Abigaël Mikuniss and Lauralie Mishkuenita.
Several parents and their children made the trip to attend this meeting hosted by the author of Mikuniss, my little sistera tale inspired by the story behind the name of his youngest daughter. In the book, I try to make people aware of the importance of decolonial first names which are increasingly common among communities in Quebec
explains Joannie Gill.
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The author’s book tells how Lola explains to her little sister the story surrounding her first name Mikuniss.
Photo: - / Ismaël Houdassine
The DNA of a First Nation
When reading time comes, several children form a circle around Joannie Gill. There are, among others, Madeleine, Jasmine and Alice, all seated quietly to listen to the tale recited out loud by the author. She narrates the chapters while one of her two daughters opens the pages of the book. I am convinced that it is by starting from a very young age that we succeed in changing mentalities
she emphasizes in an interview.
Whatever their origins, children have the ability to understand diversity with great intelligence and openness.
With this workshop, the author hopes that the young participants realize how a first name, far from being a simple name, is the DNA of a First Nation. This reappropriation comes at a time when indigenous communities have an increasingly important presence within Quebec society. The population is more attentive to our realities
she thinks.
The work by the Ilnue author, a member of the Pekuakamiulnatsh First Nation in Lac-Saint-Jean, tells how Lola explains to her little sister the story surrounding her first name Mikuniss. I’ve been reading books to my two daughters since they were little. I wanted a book anchored in my community so that readers understand that indigenous first names are important for the preservation of our identity
she said.
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Joannie Gill’s youth work is the first album in a trilogy on the theme of indigenous first names.
Photo: - / Ismaël Houdassine
Joannie Gill’s children’s work – intended for 4 to 6 year olds – is intended to be the first album in a series on the same theme. She wants each of the books to address a different first name linked to a First Nation in Quebec. Behind a first name, there is the reappropriation of a language
says Joannie Gill, who also works as a cultural safety nurse.
Through a story inspired by her personal experience with one of her daughters, Joannie Gill invites children to understand that each first name carries within it a living memory, a deep connection to the territory and ancestral traditions.
There are different ways to give an indigenous first name to a child and even an adult. There are some who receive a new first name after a traditional ceremony. Others simply want to take the first name of one of their ancestors
indicates the 36-year-old author.
An almost infinite diversity of indigenous first names
Joannie Gill says that when she was growing up, Indigenous names weren’t as popular as they are today. For a long time, asserting oneself as a member of a First Nation was not rewarding, she recalls. But in recent years we have been witnessing an awakening of communities to their ancestral heritage.
As far as Mikuniss is concerned, circumstances dictated the appearance of this Innu first name, she continues. Mikuniss means “little feather”, which makes a link with the birds of the territory such as geese or ducks. Children understand this kind of symbolism very well.
Families are beginning to reclaim the language by giving their children traditional names.
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The author makes sure that her daughters are always present when she leads the workshop with other children.
Photo: - / Ismaël Houdassine
She emphasizes that first names carry within them very fertile stories which act like an imprint on the past. There is nothing to invent since the stories already exist in the imagination of families, she notes. Children’s literature is an opportunity for indigenous authors to address this heritage by directly touching the hearts of children.
In Quebec, the pool of indigenous first names is abundant since there are 11 indigenous nations (10 First Nations and the Inuit) each having its own language. It’s truly fascinating to see so much cultural richness and diversity. It is truly an invitation to discover the variety of the first peoples.
The activity is also an opportunity to carry out an intercultural exchange with parents, most of whom are non-native. It discusses the origins and meaning of indigenous first names like Shipiss, Uapikun or Ahasiw.
Everything happens through dialogue. There are many people of all ages who are very curious. They want to understand and I find that talking about first names is a wonderful opportunity to build bridges of discussion.
Youth is important for all human beings, specifies the author. She also points out that a couple of her friends read indigenous stories to their children in order to make them aware of the issue very early. They are not members of a First Nation, but they know that this is what we must focus on. Children bring us closer to each other.
The author is already preparing a second book on indigenous first names. Its release is scheduled for sometime in 2025. I plan to make a trilogy with a third tale which this time will focus on an Atikamekw first name.
she concludes.
