Mamit aimun (Voice of the east)
in conversation with Mathias Mark
Sound piece
2017
Uepeshtekuat. The place on the river where there is a lot of talk. I can hear different voices talking, without understanding all the words being said. I hear that there is a conversation going on, that words are transcribed onto paper. I understand that what is said is important, that it must be listened to like the river must be listened to as it sings the voices of the Nitassinan, as it speaks of the cycles of day, of the seasons, and of life.
Mamit aimun is a sound piece in which we can hear the voices of a conversation between the artist and Mathias Mark, who expresses the importance of hearing the words of his language and culture.
Mathias Mark is from Pakuashipi, a community situated on the lower northern coast of the Saint Lawrence River. He lives on the banks of the Pakua Shipu, a large river which is the way into the interior of the territory, where the Innu traditionally lived in the winter season, following caribou herds. Through the teachings of the elders, he is invested in learning the skills and knowledge of his traditional Innu culture, in order to share them with new generations. He is interested in the technical as much as the spiritual aspects of hunting, following preparation methods with respect for the animal, while listening to traditional songs and to the rhythm of the teueikan, the sacred drum. He has also begun recording the stories of the elders so that their memories will continue to inspire the life of the Innus.
Mamit aimun was presented in the exhibition Aiminanu at YYZ, Toronto.
Thanks to Avatar for their support in the creation of this work.
Installation views of the work in the exhibition Aiminanu.
in conversation with Mathias Mark
Sound piece
2017
Uepeshtekuat. The place on the river where there is a lot of talk. I can hear different voices talking, without understanding all the words being said. I hear that there is a conversation going on, that words are transcribed onto paper. I understand that what is said is important, that it must be listened to like the river must be listened to as it sings the voices of the Nitassinan, as it speaks of the cycles of day, of the seasons, and of life.
Mamit aimun is a sound piece in which we can hear the voices of a conversation between the artist and Mathias Mark, who expresses the importance of hearing the words of his language and culture.
Mathias Mark is from Pakuashipi, a community situated on the lower northern coast of the Saint Lawrence River. He lives on the banks of the Pakua Shipu, a large river which is the way into the interior of the territory, where the Innu traditionally lived in the winter season, following caribou herds. Through the teachings of the elders, he is invested in learning the skills and knowledge of his traditional Innu culture, in order to share them with new generations. He is interested in the technical as much as the spiritual aspects of hunting, following preparation methods with respect for the animal, while listening to traditional songs and to the rhythm of the teueikan, the sacred drum. He has also begun recording the stories of the elders so that their memories will continue to inspire the life of the Innus.
Mamit aimun was presented in the exhibition Aiminanu at YYZ, Toronto.
Thanks to Avatar for their support in the creation of this work.
Installation views of the work in the exhibition Aiminanu.