Ka uinakanit ka ishi-tshissenitak innu-aitunnu 2024 pipun
Ka uinat: Elizabeth Yeoman
Designated in 2024 as a Tradition Bearer.
Nominator: Elizabeth Yeoman
Kukuminash Tshaukuesh eukuan ka ishpitenimakanit ka kanuenitak innu aianishkat ka ishi-inniunanunit. Nete Napatau (Labrador) kie nete assit utishinikashun nishtuapatakanu nete innu-assit tapuetamuna kie ka ishi-inniut innu. Tshaukuesh uaiutshiaushiu Innuat utapuet-amunnu kie Nitassinan e nukaitishut, e mashinaitshet kie ka ishi-kushpit nete nutshimit. Apu aieshkushit eshpish kutshipanitat tshetshi patshitinak ka ishi-tshissenitak kie eshpish minuatak nutshimit nete aianishkat tshe tanitshi kutaka innua.
Nete pet ishpish inniut Tshaukuesh Nishapet Penashue nanitam patshtinamupan utipaikan e tshishpeuatak innu-aitunnu tshetshi nanitam kanuenitakanit kie tutakanit. Tshaukuesh Nishapet Penashue nanitam tapuetatishupan tshetshi minu kanuenitak innu-aitunnu ka ishi-inniunanunit. Apu eshku patshitenimut; nenu essishuet, “Eku punitaiani auen tshe tshishkutamuat nenua auassa?” (Food First NL, 2018). Nenu ka ishi-atusset nasht nukuannu ka pet ishpish shutshitienitakushit kie mamupanit ushutshishiun nete innu katshitapamakanit ute assit kie aitunnit. E kukuminashiut kie e tshishkutamatshet, Tshaukuesh eshku mishta-matenitakanu utshishpeuatamun innu-aitunnu kie ka aitapashtakanit assinu nete Napatau kie Nitassinan.
Innu elder Tshaukuesh Elizabeth Penashue is a well-respected tradition bearer. In Labrador and across the world, her name is synonymous with Innu land rights and cultural traditions. Tshaukuesh advocates for the rights of Innu people in Labrador and Nitassinan through her activism, writing and journeys through nutshimit. She is also tireless in her efforts to pass on traditional knowledge and a love of nutshimit to the coming generations of Innu.
Throughout her lifetime, Tshaukuesh Elizabeth Penashue has been dedicated to preserving Innu ways of living. She shows no sign of flagging; in her words, “If I stop everything, who’s going to teach the children?” (Food First NL, 2018). Her life’s work is a testimony to the strength and resilience embedded in the Innu worldview and cultural tradition. As an elder and traditional teacher, Tshaukuesh continues to have enormous influence on the protection of Innu culture and land use in Labrador and across Nitassinan.
LEARN MORE > Commemorations Research Paper – Tshaukuesh Elizabeth Penashue, by Ellen Power
LINKS
2023 – Tshaukuesh Elizabeth Penashue & Elizabeth Yeoman Discuss Nitinikiau Innusi (Video)
2019 – Nitinikiau Innusi – I Keep the Land Alive by Tshaukuesh Elizabeth Penashue (Book)
2019 – Wa Ni Ska Tan Alliance – Tshaukuesh Elizabeth Penashue (Video)
2018 – SCOFF: Elizabeth Penashue, Innu Donuts (Video)
2009 – 2014 – Elizabeth “Tshaukuesh” Penashue (Blog)
2009 – Meshkanu: The Long Walk of Elizabeth Penashue (Video)
2008 – Indspire Awards – Laureate Elizabeth (Tshaukuesh) Penashue
Tshaukuesh’s book Nitinikiau Innusi – I Keep the Land Alive
Tshaukuesh drinks tea while her husband Francis stands nearby. Photo by Jennifer and Kerry Saner-Harvey.
Tshaukuesh writing. Photo courtesy of the Penashue family.
Tshaukuesh snowshoeing. Photo by Camille Fouillard.
Tshaukuesh and her daughter Kanani Davis pose with Tshaukuesh’s published diary, “Nitinikiau Innusi: I Keep the Land Alive.” Photo courtesy of the Penashue family.
