A Fragile Way of Life

Michel Jean

7:00pm

Monday, September 25

60 mins

Charting the drastic changes to a community over the course of a century, Michel Jean’s Kukum offers an intimate glimpse into the ancestral values of the Innu and the lives and loves of the people affected by the slow death of traditional ways.

Grappling with the realities of loss of land, confinement, the lasting violence of residential schools, and the cultural significance of tradition, this novel based on the true story of Jean’s great-grandmother gives readers deep insight into the struggles faced by the Pekuakami Innu community and other nomadic peoples to this day.

Moderated by Jennifer Alicia Murrin.

Presented with support from the Bureau du Québec à Toronto (BQT).

This event will be followed by a book signing.

Conversation

How to attend

$19.99

Single Day Pass

$249.99

Full Festival Pass

Students and youth save up to 50% on passes.

Moderated by Jennifer Alicia Murrin.

Presented with support from the Bureau du Québec à Toronto (BQT).

Bureau du Québec à Toronto logo

This event will be followed by a book signing.

Conversation

Featured Authors

Michel Jean

Michel Jean is a writer, TV news anchor and investigative journalist. The author of 11 books, he also writes and curates short stories and has edited two French-language collections showcasing Indigenous writers: Amun (2016) and Wapke (2021). In his 2012 novel Elle et nous, he opened up about his own Indigenous origins for the very first time. Kukum won the Prix France-Québec in 2020. Michel is Innu from Mashteuiatsh and much of his writing reflects his Indigenous origins. Michel Jean’s Festival appearance is generously supported by the Bureau du Québec à Toronto (BQT).