Nitinikiau Innusi: I Keep the Land Alive

by Tshaukuesh Elizabeth Penashue, Elizabeth Yeoman (Editor)

Labrador Innu cultural and environmental activist Tshaukuesh Elizabeth Penashue is well-known both within and far beyond the Innu Nation. The recipient of a National Aboriginal Achievement Award and an honorary doctorate from Memorial University, she has been a subject of documentary films, books, and numerous articles. She led the Innu campaign against NATO’s low-level flying and bomb testing on Innu land during the 1980s and ’90s, and was a key respondent in a landmark legal case in which the judge held that the Innu had the “colour of right” to occupy the Canadian Forces base in Goose Bay, Labrador. Over the past twenty years she has led walks and canoe trips in nutshimit, “on the land,” to teach people about Innu culture and knowledge. Nitinikiau I Keep the Land Alive began as a diary written in Innu-aimun, in which Tshaukuesh recorded day-to-day experiences, court appearances, and interviews with reporters. Tshaukuesh has always had a strong sense of the importance of documenting what was happening to the Innu and their land. She also found keeping a diary therapeutic, and her writing evolved from brief notes into a detailed account of her own life and reflections on Innu land, culture, politics, and history. Beautifully illustrated, this work contains numerous images by professional photographers and journalists as well as archival photographs and others from Tshaukuesh’s own collection.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Indigenous, Book Club

280 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2019

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember hearing news reports about NATO's low-level flying and bomb testing in Labrador during the 1980s and '90s. Tshaukuesh is the Labrador Innu cultural and environmental activist who led the Innu campaign against NATO carrying out these procedures on Innu land. She initiated the occupation of the Canadian Forces base in Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada.

NITINIKISU INNUSI: I KEEP THE LAND ALIVE began as a diary written in Innu-aimun, in which Tshaukuesh recorded day-to-day experiences, court appearances, and interviews with reporters. Along with documenting what was happening to the Innu and their land, Tshaukuesh found keeping a diary therapeutic, and her writing evolved from brief notes into a detailed account of her own life and reflections on Innu land, culture, politics, and history.

I enjoyed reading the diary entries and letters, and looking at the many photographs in this memoir by Tshaukuesh Elizabeth Penashue. The prologue, Introduction and map at the front of the book and the short glossary and notes found at the back were greatly appreciated.
The following quote by Tshaukuesh gives insight to the great love she has for her culture, the land, the animals, her children, her grandchildren, her people, and their language.

"I believe that following the way of life of my parents is showing respect for the natural world. I don't want to be the one who destroys our traditions, a way of life we followed for thousands of years. I still follow my parents' meshkanau and I'm determined to hold onto their way of life, to their respect for the land, the animals, the people living here now and in the future. We can't give up. We have to keep the earth safe for our children. It's our legacy to them." page 202

Over the past twenty years Tshaukuesh has led walks and canoe trips in nutshimit, "on the land", to teach people about Innu culture and knowledge.
I found the messages of love, hope and determination in this memoir uplifting and learned so much about the Innu way of life, that I cannot decide on 5 or 4 stars. 4.5

[Janalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book felt almost heavy in my hands because of the knowledge it contains. Knowledge of the Innu way of life, which I knew very little about, to be honest. I found it significant, timely, and very informative. I'd highly recommend it, especially to other people of the province (NL). It changed my pattern of thinking. The only downside is it's a little repetitive at times--which I understand as it's a translated personal journal.

[Jacqueline]

Read this because it was an NLReads book and was available as an ebook on the library app. I enjoyed parts of it and did record some quotes from it but parts of it were very draggy and boring. It is a personal diary and that’s how personal diaries are. It did give me a look at the traditional way of life of the Innu and how they struggle with changes forced on them to that way of live

[Mary-Esther Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poignant lament for a lost way of life. We should all support Tshaukuesh's work.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to digest journal entries. It was interesting to look for further reading on topics discussed in the book (eg. low flying jets, ceremony outside of hospital, etc.)
This book also made me reflect on my own participation in protests, etc. It is a physical reminder that many have come before us, many have been fighting battles for generations - battles that are still being fought. I owe so much to those who have come before me & helped push the topic along. Humbling to read.
It also forced me to ask myself 'is X still happening here?' Just because we may not hear about something in the news doesn't mean it's not happening.
I hope that the NL English School district requires this book to be read in public schools in NL, at the least. In earlier years, Woman of Labrador was required reading for some students, but this book would be a great replacement with a caveat to open the conversation on reconciliation.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book should be required reading for every Canadian. I loved it from start to finish, but it broke my heart. The diary was so personal, obviously, and I thank Tshaukuesh so much for sharing it with us, but that is just what she does. What a strong advocate for a way of life that I now know so much more about. I will never forget this book and its messages of love, hope and determination.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to be able to rate this higher. It is the story of a native Innu woman in Labrador, a long-time activist on behalf of her people.
However, most of it is taken from old diaries. It needed better translation, better editing, and notes explaining many of the external events.
The author seems to be an admirable character: determined, thoughtful, strong. But her story is not well-told here.

[Marj Andre]

Compelling story of authors desire to "keep the land alive".
It was a translated (from Innu) diary account of over 20 years of struggle.
You felt her pain.

[Kathy Pound · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through her diaries we get a personal view of Innu life and just how impossibly harsh it is. These people have much to teach us. Once I started I couldn't put it down.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hard story of one women’s quest to preserve and protect her heritage and the primal forest so essential to Innu life.

[SteelcitySarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tshaukuesh is a phenomenal woman and unstoppable force. Her commitment to her culture, her homeland and her fight to protect both is incredible. Her book is a testament to that commitment.

[zoaayyyy · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO good. i wish i hadn't read it for class bc i think i would have enjoyed it even more. such a beautiful, real, book. i love tshaukesh's author voice soso much. what a beautiful project. <3

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of translated journals over the time period of 20 years and written by an Innu elder living in Labrador, Canada.

It chronicles their fight to protect the land and stop low level NATO training over where they practiced traditional ways of living. Full of pictures and stories.

A little repetitive at parts, but it was beautiful to see the cycles and habits and repetitions of someone's life as well.