Kukum

Publisher's Description (House of Anansi Press): 
Kukum recounts the story of Almanda Siméon, an orphan raised by her aunt and uncle, who falls in love with a young Innu man despite their cultural differences and goes on to share her life with the Pekuakami Innu community. They accept her as one of their own: Almanda learns their language, how to live a nomadic existence, and begins to break down the barriers imposed on Indigenous women. Unfolding over the course of a century, the novel details the end of traditional ways of life for the Innu, as Almanda and her family face the loss of their land and confinement to reserves, and the enduring violence of residential schools.

Kukum intimately expresses the importance of Innu ancestral values and the need for freedom nomadic peoples feel to this day.

Author Biography (House of Anansi Press): 
Michel Jean is a writer, TV news anchor, and investigative journalist. The author of eleven books, he also writes and curates short storeis and has edited two French-language collections showcasing Indigenous writers: Amun (2016) and Wapke (2021). In his novel Elle et nous, he opened up about his Indigenous origins for the very first time. Kukum won the Prix-France Quebec in 2020. Michel is Innu from Mashteuiatsh, and much of his writing reflects his Indigenous origins.

Creator Biography (House of Anansi Press): Susan Ouriou is an award-winning fiction writer and literary translator with over sixty translations and co-translations of fiction, non-fiction, children's, and young adult literature to her credit.

Resource type: Book (Fiction/Poetry)

Age recommendation: Grade 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, Post secondary

Keywords: Pekuakami, Quebec, nature, lake, forest, trees, predator, prey, bird, canoe, camp, listen, listening, language, community, people, settlers, farming, farm, scavenging, foraging, forage, scavenge, elders, ancestors, land, connection, connect, wisdom, strength, hunting, hunt, labour, religion, religious, God, pious, piety, growth, progress, progression, hunter, stranger, family, Lac Saint-Jean, barrier, border, cycle, necessity, desire, teach, learn, culture, absorb, racism, marriage, love, respect, sacrifice

Year of publication: 2023

Publisher information: House of Anansi Press