Present Day

Narrator - In 2004, mamu-aitun organized a special gathering on the banks of the Mishta-shipu River, near Mani-utenam. This was the theme: Québec and Labrador elders would transmit their teachings to Québec and Labrador First Nations youth.
To make bannock, start by heating the sand. In this case we had to start over three times because the sand was damp and full of pebbles. Once you've done that, mix the flour, salt and baking powder. Then knead it. Not too long. It's important to do it continuously. Then, bury the dough in the sand and let it cook 15 or 20 minutes. After that, turn it over and leave it another 10 minutes. Then all you have to do is take it out and scrape the sand off.
Marjolaine - Did any young people come to learn about making bannock?
Adélaïde - Yes, many.
Man - I asked around and I learned that there were three kinds of designs for snowshoes: the flower, the partridge foot and the motif that isn't used any more because it can bring bad luck. I've done it before and I had to erase it. This one here is the most difficult I've ever done.
Thérèse Bégin - Let me tell you, I'm delighted to be here to teach my skill. I was only 6 when I was taught to chew bark. My mother taught me to embroider on birch bark. You can't do that all day, only now and then. You have to know when to strip the bark from the tree and you can't take all the bark. You take the thinnest piece. Sometimes I can only do two a day. I was taught to reflect and to feel good inside before chewing bark.
Mingan's Women - Uishitshishkumikua (golden thread) Golden thread's yellow roots are used to treat sore throats. When the child's tongue is white, when he has thrush, we brush his teeth with this.
Anishikata (lady's slipper) It's found in marshes. Lady's slipper is good for the skin. We make a tea with it.
Uishitshipu The leaves are used to make a tea to treat itching and eczema. We wash the body with the tea. It's very strong.
Ushkuaikatsheshkua (birch bark) This is birch bark, you use the red, inner part between the tree and the bark. It's good to treat diabetes and diarrhoea. It's also helpful for a cough.
When someone has diarrhoea with a lot of itching, you boil these roots, strain them, and drink.
These cones are used for digestive problems. They relieve stomachaches. There are also green cones. You boil them, strain them and drink the liquid.
Pineu minakanakashai (wintergreen) Once again, it's good for diabetes, and also for... jealousy. After you drink it, your jealousy disappears.
Narrator - After this week of meetings during which we discussed traditional knowledge, spirituality, governance and the future, we observed that the cultural breakdown stemming from the residential school era is definitely still present. We need to pursue these meetings in order to keep the Innu language alive and improve dialogue between elders and youth.
Music - Rodrigue Fontaine, Bill St-Onge, Luc Bacon

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Present Day

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