STORIES
HEARING FROM THE LAND
Stories about places
Watch videos and listen to stories about different places in Nitassinan, as told by Mushuau and Sheshatshiu youth, men and women, and Tshishennuat (Elders).
Maniaten Andrew
Sheshatshiu
Meshikamau: Maniaten Andrew talks about travelling to and from Meshikamau in the old days. P. Armitage & Pien Gregoire interview with Maniaten Andrew, 21 Sept. 1993.
Penipuapishku-nipi: Maniaten Andrew talks about seeing low-flying jets at Penipuapishku-nipi (477) in the fall of 1993. Mirjam Niemans & Michelle Snow interview with Maniaten Andrew, 31 Mar. 1994.
Napess Ashini
Sheshatshiu
Ishkueu-akunishkuen: Napess Ashini talks with Ishpastien Penunsi about pointing at Ishkueu-akunishkuen (411) by mistake. ITKC interview with Ishpashtien Penunsi, 6 Feb. 2007
Matshi-nipi: Napess Ashini talks with Pien Penashue about non-human beings at Matshi-nipi (366). ITKC interview with Pien Penashue, 12 Feb. 2007.
Massen Benuen
Sheshatshiu
Atshiku-nipi: Massen Benuen talks about why he likes Atshiku-nipi (385), good hunting and trapping, the country food available there, and daily activities.
Tshan Hart
Sheshatshiu
Iatuekupau: Tshan Hart talks about Atuan Penashue taking him and other youth to Iatuekupau (285) where they learned a lot about Innu-aitun.
Georg Henriksen
Norway
Kauinipeshit namesh: Georg Henriksen talks about the cold, and running out of food at Kauinipeshit namesh (135). P. Armitage interview with G. Henriksen, 27 Apr. 1997.
Uniam Katshinak
Natuashish
Atamipekutikᵘ katat: Uniam Katshinak talks about the underwater caribou at Atamipekutikᵘ katat (437). Tom Green and Clarence Nui interview with Uniam Katshinak, 6 July 1995.
Etuat Mistenapeo
Natuashish
Kameshtashtan: The Etuat Mistenapeo talks about travelling to Kameshtashtan (157) and elsewhere by dogteam. P. Armitage & Tamien Benuen interview with Etuat Mistenapeo, 20 Mar. 2003.
Emish: Etuat Mistenapeo talks about Innu from other parts of Nitassinan trading at Emish (254), and how hard life was without dogteams. P. Armitage & Tamien Benuen interview with Etuat Mistenapeo, 20 Mar. 2003.
Mani-Shushet Mistenapeo
Natuashish
Ushpuakaniss: Mani-Shushet Mistenapeo talks about the burial of her brother at Ushpuakaniss (146). T. Green & Napaen Rich interview with Mani-Shushet Mistenapeo 26 July 1995.
Maniaten Mistenapeo
Natuashish
Kanakashkuaikanishit: Maniaten Mistenapeo talks about living at Kanakashkuaikanishit (150) and Ushpuakaniss with her parents and grandparents. She learned how to clean caribou, make niuekan (dried caribou meat) and many other things while there. The little Elan skidoo they had would tip over. She was happy with her life in the country.
Manian Michel
Sheshatshiu
Uashikanashteu-shipu: Manian Michel talks about salmon on Uashikanashteu-shipu (512). P. Armitage & Aniet Bartmann interview with Manian & Shimun Michel, 31 Oct. 2002.
Mishikamau-shipu: Manian Michel talks about Atuan Ashini conducting shaking tent ceremonies on Meshikamau-shipu (557). P. Armitage & Aniet Bartmann interview with Manian & Shimun Michel, 31 Oct. 2002.
Pinip Michel
Sheshatshiu
Kakuetipapukunanut: Pinip Michel talks about a road built to Kakuetipapukunanut (617). P. Armitage & Bart Jack Jr. interview with Pinip Michel, 7 July 1993.
Darryle Nui
Natuashish
Ashuapun: Darryle Nui talks about visiting Ashuapun (Border Beacon, 113) for the first time along with his grandparents, uncle and aunt, and other Innu. There were a lot of caribou there at the time. Fishing was a real challenge.
Manishan Nui
Natuashish
Emish: Manishan Nui talks about getting supplies at Emish (254) before heading to Kakushtikuak. Tom Green and Clarence Nui interview with Manishan Nui, 27 July 1995.
Selina Nui
Natuashish
Kanishutakashtasht: Selina Nui talks about going fishing at Kanishutakashtasht (199) with her grandparents. They traveled there by snowmobile and there were lots of kids.
Shuashem Nui
Natuashish
Atika upishkutinam: Shuashem Nui talks about Atika and his lover, Nisseushkueu, going up the mountain that is now named after Atika – Atika upishkutinam (147). P. Armitage & Mark Nui interview with Shuashem Nui, 24 Sept. 2004.
Kakushtikuak: Shuashem Nui talks about the death of Utshimashkuess at Kakushtikuak (282). P. Armitage & Mark Nui interview with Shuashem Nui, 24 Sept. 2004.
Akuaukusht unipim: Shuashem Nui talks about the provincial government introducing beavers at Akuaukusht unipim (179). P. Armitage & Mark Nui interview with Shuashem Nui, 24 Sept. 2004.
Shinapiu-mishkumi: Shuashem Nui talks about having to bury Ponish Shinapio in the winter. P. Armitage & Mark Nui interview with Shuashem Nui, 24 Sept. 2004.
Tshishpush unipim: Shuashem Nui talks about the burial places of Tshishpush and Akuaukusht. P. Armitage & Mark Nui interview with Shuashem Nui, 24 Sept. 2004.
Shuashem Nui Jr.
Natuashish
Kauipushkasht: Shuashem Nui Jr. talks about being impatient for snow because he liked to go hunting at Kauipushkasht (206) or Mishti-Shuapi (217). He is happy when he runs into other hunters who sometimes have been unsuccessful at the hunt. At such times, he gives them meat to take home with them.
Kanishutakashtasht: Shuashem Nui Jr. talks about living at Kanishutakashtasht (199) throughout the fall and then returning to the community by snowmobile in December. He greatly enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandparents. He used to wear his grandfather’s seal skin boots which he found slippery. His grandfather taught him how to read signs of porcupines.
Puniss Nuke
Sheshatshiu
Ashtunekamikᵘ: Puniss Nuke explains the meaning of the name Ashtunekamikᵘ (409). José Mailhot et al. interview with Puniss Nuke, 12 Sept. 1994.
Utshashumeku-shipu: Puniss Nuke talks about Innu spearing salmon at Utshashumeku-shipu (383). José Mailhot et al. interview with Puniss Nuke, 12 Sept. 1994.
Tshishennish kapimishinit: Puniss Nuke talks about Tshishennish’s burial at this location. José Mailhot et al. interview with Puniss Nuke, 12 Sept. 1994.
Tshishkuetutsheunnu-minishtikᵘ: Puniss Nuke talks about a shaman, Tshishkuetutsheunnu, hiding from Atshen on the island that bears his name. José Mailhot et al. interview with Puniss Nuke, 12 Sept. 1994.
Ishkueu-akunishkuen: Puniss Nuke explains that one must not point at Ishkueu-akunishkuen (411). José Mailhot et al. interview with Puniss Nuke, 12 Sept. 1994.
Shikuteu-utshu: Puniss Nuke explains that Shikuteu-utshu (408) is shaped like a bakeapple. José Mailhot et al. interview with Puniss Nuke, 12 Sept. 1994.
Mani-Matinen Nuna
Sheshatshiu
Uinuat: Mani-Matinen Nuna explains that her grandparents and Manian Selma’s father-in-law died at Uinuat (362). P. Armitage & Pien Gregoire interview with Mani-Matinen Nuna, 23 Sept. 1993.
Shushep Nuna
Sheshatshiu
Meshikamau: Shushep Nuna remembers trapping at Meshikamau (620) with Shimun Pone and Penute Ashini. P. Armitage & Pien Gregoire interview with Shushep Nuna, 22 Sept. 1993.
Richard Pasteen
Natuashish
Shanti unipim: Richard Pasteen talks about living with his parents at Shanti unipim (224) and near Atiku-pishkutinau (667) in the summer. He used to go swimming and fishing a lot. His mother would dry the fish and cook them for the family. They played cards in the evenings. Living in the country was a lot of fun and people were very happy.
Shan Pasteen Jr.
Natuashish
Kapapisht: Shan Pasteen Jr. talks about going duck hunting at Kapapisht (184). He and his friends would leave the community early in the morning and return late at night. He would like to show this place to his children. If he doesn’t teach them now, they will grow up knowing only about the modern society.
Ben Penashue
Sheshatshiu
Iatuekupau: Ben Penashue remembers his grandmother waving to the persons who watched over the camp at Iatuekupau (285), and how his grandparents taught him to respect the animals.
Minai-nipi: Ben Penashue remembers hunting trips and stories from his grandparents at Minai-nipi (80). Many things were enjoyable in the country.
Kanani Penashue
Sheshatshiu
Mishtutshashkᵘ: Kanani Penashue talks about being frightened by an owl, and slipping on the path while she ran away in her rubber boots borrowed from her grandmother Mani.
Matiu Penashue
Sheshatshiu
Mishta-shipu: Matiu Penashue talks about travelling up Mishta-shipu (501) in the old days. P. Armitage & David Nuna interview with Matiu Penashue, 19 July 1991.
Pien Penashue
Sheshatshiu
Manitupekᵘ: Pien Penashue talks about a giant creature that was about to attack some children at Manitupeku (332). P. Armitage & Atuan Penashue interview with Pien & Nishet Penashue, 1 Oct. 2004.
Manitu-utshu: Pien Penashue talks about the Uenitshikumishiteu who live at Manitu-utshu (494). P. Armitage & Atuan Penashue interview with Pien & Nishet Penashue, 1 Oct. 2004.
Kaminussekasht: Pien Penashue remembers his father-in-law killing a shaman at Kaminussekasht (314) who had transformed himself into a wolf. P. Armitage & Atuan Penashue interview with Pien & Nishet Penashue, 1 Oct. 2004.
Kamitshuapishekat: Pien Penashue describes Kamitshuapishekat (326) and what the land looks like around it. P. Armitage & Atuan Penashue interview with Pien & Nishet Penashue, 1 Oct. 2004.
Memekueshu-nipi: Pien and Nishet Penashue talk about the cave beings that live in the cliff at Memekueshu-nipi (331). P. Armitage & Atuan Penashue interview with Pien & Nishet Penashue, 1 Oct. 2004.
Uapanatsheu-nipi: Pien Penashue talks about how the Innu caught a Katshimaitsheshu (Uapanatsheu) after a dog chased him up a tree. P. Armitage & Atuan Penashue interview with Pien & Nishet Penashue, 1 Oct. 2004.
Ishpashtien Penunsi
Sheshatshiu
Kanakunash: Ishpashtien Penunsi talks about his great aunt Kanakunash. The mountain is named after her. ITKC interview 6 Feb. 2007.
Manitu-utshu: Ishpashtien Penunsi talks about Shimiu Pasteen shooting a wolverine at Kamashkushkatinau-nipi (474). ITKC interview 26 Jan. 2007.
Desmond Piwas
Natuashish
Kauinipishekat: Desmond Piwas names some of the places he goes to when hunting (e.g. Kauipushkasht, Kauinipishekat, Kapashkuat, Kauinipishit namesh, Kauauashkamikasht). He wants to show other youth what he has learned and what he has seen. He really loves his land and he doesn’t want anything to happen to it, nor does he want it to be taken away from them.
Ushpuakaniss: Ushpuakaniss (146) is where Desmond Piwas used to go with his grandparents, Etuat and Mani-Shushet Mistenapeo, as well as Etuat Piwas, Pinip Rich, and their families. His grandparents taught him how to hunt and not abuse the wild meat. He used to go hunting on his skidoo and he would always bring some meat home for his grandparents. He loves being in the country. It is a very peaceful place.
Kameshtashtan: Desmond Piwas and some others paddled one summer from Kameshtashtan (157). He thought it was more beautiful there in the summer. He loves riding around on snowmobile, but it’s much nicer paddling in summer.
Danina Poker
Natuashish
Kutshinapess-minishtikᵘ: Danina Poker talks about living with her grandfather, Kaniuekutat, in the country at Ushpuakaniss. She and her brothers would collect caribou meat on the barrens when her grandfather killed caribou. It was a lot of work. When they travelled with him by boat in the Kutshinapess-minishtikᵘ (671) area, he would point out places where he had lived and hunted in the past. She is thankful for all he taught her.
Tshim Poker
Natuashish
Ushpuakaniss: Tshim Poker used to live at Ushpuakaniss (146) where he hunted caribou and partridge. He lived with his grandfather, as well as Shuash Gregoire, Shuashem Nui, Prote Poker and their families. While travelling by canoe, his grandfather would show him many places where he used to live, hunt and fish. His grandfather taught him how to make fishing tools and how to fish. He would like to show such places to his children so that they can be happy people when they grow up.
An-Pinamen Pokue and Clem Andrew
Sheshatshiu
Atshiku-nipiss: An-Pinamen talks about the beauty of Atshiku-nipiss (394), an Innu burial site near there, and about times when the men didn’t return to camp as expected.
Irene Rich
Natuashish
Ushpuakaniss: Irene Rich talks about all the things she learned from her parents when they were living at Ushpuakaniss (146). She watched her father skin caribou and her mother clean the hide and cook the meat. She was taught not to abuse the animals and the food. Her parents taught her lots about what was important in the Innu way of life.
Leonard Rich
Sheshatshiu
Iatuekupau: Leonard Rich talks about learning from his grandfather, Etien Rich, at Iatuekupau (285) – how to hunt, fish, clean animals, set up tents, and respect the animals.
Massen Rich
Sheshatshiu
Eshkanat katshipakutiniht: Massen Rich shares his memories of Eshkanat katshipakutiniht (53) – hunting and fishing, lots of otters, catching bats, and its beauty.
Pinip Rich
Utshimassit
Kaushetinati: Pinip Rich talks about being at Kaushetinati (116). P. Armitage interview with Pinip Rich, 1 Aug. 1991.
Upana kakutakutapitak: Pinip Rich explains why the lake is called Upana kakutakutapitak (155). T. Green & Napaen Rich interview with Pinip Rich, 18 July 1995.
Ponas Rich Jr.
Natuashish
Kameshtashtan: Ponas Rich Jr. appreciates what Etuet Piwas taught him, which is a lot. He is happy to be learning from the Elders. He once canoed with a group of men from Kameshtashtan (157) towards the coast. His canoe tipped over on one occasion when he and his paddling partner, Mashen Pokue, hit a rock.
Mishti-Shuapi: Ponas Rich Jr. says he’s happy to go hunting with the other hunters. A lot of his friends are deceased but he finds other guys to go hunting with. He and George Tshakapesh went to Mishti-Shuapi (217) where they killed a lot of partridges to bring home. There was a blizzard at the time.
Stephanie Rich
Natuashish
Ushpuakaniss: Stephanie Rich shares her memories of life at Ushpuakaniss (146) and neighbouring lakes with her grandparents. She was taught many things about how to live on the land.
Manian Selma
Sheshatshiu
shiashku-nipi: Manian Selma talks about her father hanging his traps and a cooking pot up at Tshiashku-nipi (95). P. Armitage & Pien Gregoire interview with Manian Selma, 20 Sept. 1993.
Shatshit: Manian Selma talks about making canoes at Shatshit (619). P. Armitage & Pien Gregoire interview with Manian Selma, 20 Sept. 1993.
Meshikamau: Manian Selma discusses travelling from Meshikamau (620) to Utshimassit and Sheshatshiu. P. Armitage & Pien Gregoire interview with Manian Selma, 20 Sept. 1993.
Tshishennish kapimishinit: Manian Selma remembers Shushep Tshishennish and this burial at Ashtunekamiku. P. Armitage & Pien Gregoire interview with Manian Selma, 20 Sept. 1993.
An-Mani Tuma
Natuashish
Utshimassit: An-Mani Tuma talks about living with her grandparents at a private place along the shore near the former community of Utshimassit (240).