Individual Roles

Narrator - A good campground is always close to water, where, ideally, fish can be found: Innu are very fond of fish.
Marie-Clara Jourdain - The elder's place in the tent was near the entry, so he could keep the fire burning. There was a place for visitors, where the fir branches were thick and comfortable. A young girl was designated to put away the guest's gear, at the same time indicating his sleeping space.
Narrator - To preserve trout as long as possible, the Innu smoked it using an old spruce stump, a proven technique that kept the fish dry.
Marie-Josette Bellefleur - Once we had arrived in the bush, we began our daily maintenance of the camp. We started by taking care of the little ones, then set out to collect fir branches and firewood. My mother didn't have time to do everything. She had many children and we helped her as much as we could.
Narrator - After the men had left to hunt for long periods, the women, often two at a time and sometimes accompanied by small children, set out to check the snares and fishing lines.
Then they cleaned the catch and cut each fish lengthwise for drying and smoking. If it rained, they did everything in their power to keep those fish dry.
Marie-Clara Jourdain - The day before a long trip, everyone was reminded to thoroughly dry their socks and moccasins. The elder often went hunting in the canoe. If he came back with a beaver, muskrat or partridge, that was a sign of fall.
Antoine Mark - We lived in the bush. As I grew older, I was allowed to accompany my father further and further. Things continued that way until I was given permission to go out alone. Later, after I had gained their trust, I was able to replace my father by hunting to feed the family.
Narrator - As soon as the tent was pitched, the Innu went out to hunt and returned late at night, often with porcupines. We heated the catch over a flame late into the night, and sometimes into the next day.
Antoine Mark - Sometimes I returned to the camp late at night. Nights when the moon was full were very pleasant. Life in the bush was good. I was self-sufficient enough to pull a load on a toboggan and even to clear a path.
Narrator - Then we cooked them and proceeded to share them among the members of the group. We had a specific way of preparing porcupine, fish and beaver. You had to cover them with a cloth and never leave them uncovered. This sign of respect was a guarantee of success for the Innu hunt. In any case, each person always had to respect food and treat it with care.
Music - Rodrigue Fontaine, Bill St-Onge, Luc Bacon

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Individual Roles

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