Territory : Nitassian
For thousands of years, the Innus have been living on Nitassinan, a boreal territory even larger than Labrador for which they are the guardians. With time, they have immortalized their knowledge on this land by bestowing it, in their Vernacular, with a very precise toponymy. Thus, there is no such appellation as “Sheldrake River” or “Saint Lawrence River”; only designations as Uanuaku (“round lake that has no charge nor discharge”) or Makatinau (“region of the highest mountain at the mouth of Mekatina River”) or Mashkuanu (“place looking like the tip of a bear tail”). Because the Innu language is a language of nomads, it is very utilitarian. Accordingly, a place is named to create a bearing that can be passed on by word of mouth. In substance, this is what can be observed by visiting the land and listening to Philippe Mckenzie’s song about the state of Nitassinan.
Toponymy
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Mashkuanu Description Meeting place meaning: "at the end of the bear's tail" Latitude 50.216129 Longitude -61.063213 -
Makatinau Description The highest spot at the mouth of the Mekatina River Latitude 50.537654 Longitude -59.601688 -
Kuakushuanashkuat ka tshimishut Description Where poletimbers were set Latitude 51.557863 Longitude -65.963287 -
Uashikuteu Description River from where you can see something hanging from afar Latitude 50.338887 Longitude -60.749588 -
Kakatshitshau Description Terraced rise Latitude 50.487876 Longitude -66.155548 -
Uashekamu Description Place with clear water Latitude 51.581337 Longitude -65.813599 -
Ashuanipi Description Place to wait for good weather Latitude 52.534602 Longitude -66.077271 -
Uteitinau Description Heart-shaped mountain Latitude 54.800685 Longitude -66.908112 -
Mishta-ashini Description Big rock Latitude 50.729502 Longitude -73.861084 -
Minai-nipi Description Lake where you find a kind of burbot Latitude 51.800972 Longitude -61.399498 -
Minaiku-nipi Description Lake with white spruce Latitude 53.776312 Longitude -66.467285 -
Pakuau-shipu Description River with very little water Latitude 51.252461 Longitude -58.669739 -
Mishtamu Description Big spawning grounds Latitude 51.559144 Longitude -65.703735 -
Tutushat Description Place that looks like two breasts Latitude 48.149138 Longitude -69.739151 -
Aitu-mamiu Description River that splits in two Latitude 50.67253 Longitude -59.600143 -
Pitashkueiau Description Long, winding river that cannot be navigated Latitude 52.44199 Longitude -65.806046 -
Uauaku Description Round lake with no headwaters and no outfall Latitude 52.412472 Longitude -65.642624