Nutaui’s Cap tells a story of protest and determination

During the 1980s, Canada invited NATO countries to Quebec and Labrador to train their pilots to fly jets at supersonic speeds and treetop levels to evade enemy radar. The flights took place over unceded Innu territory and were loud, dangerous and disruptive to daily life. In 1986, Canada began working with NATO to set up a tactical flight centre with two supersonic training zones and nine bombing ranges. The move was the final straw for the Innu, who began organizing peaceful protests against the Canadian Government. 

Bartel spent time in Goose Bay, Labrador from 1986 to 1989, working with the Mennonite Central Committee. His work included support of the Innu’s protests for their rights and their land. Following a career in education and service, Bartel began writing in a more formal capacity during his retirement years and currently has over 15 manuscripts seeking a publisher.

The tale of how Nutaui’s Cap came to be is one of stars aligning.

“This story is not my story, it is the story of the Innu people of Nitassinan,” shared Bartel. “I first heard of Nanass’ story in ‘87 or ‘88 from Nanass’ aunt during my time in Labrador, and it stayed in my head for thirty years.”

Telling Nanass’ story was a highly collaborative endeavor from the beginning.

“I sent the first manuscript to a friend from protest days, Camille Fouillard. Unbeknownst to me, she was the coordinator of curriculum development for Innu schools so was very interested in Nanass’ story being told,” said Bartel.

Another happy coincidence was that Fouillard worked alongside Nanass, who was the community director of education for Sheshatshiu.

“Nanass suggested edits based on her memories and Camille’s suggestions greatly enhance and lengthen the story,” shared Bartel. “Nanass – or Elena, as she is known in English—is such a delightful person and we had a lot of fun working on the book, the three of us.”

Throughout the development, Fouillard ran workshops with the Sheshatshiu community to test the manuscript and get their approvals.

“This was the first time the story has been told in a format meant for children about this period of the Innu’s history,” said Bartel. “The community had been calling for their schools to be teaching this and other stories of colonization and resistance. Thus the interest by Camille and the school board.”

Fouillard also found a publisher, Running the Goat Press, to co-publish with the Mamu Tshishkutamashutau Innu Education Board.

“Camille was the one who got the translators for the books, did the backgrounder and secured the publisher. She was absolutely fundamental to seeing this story come to fruition,” said Bartel.  

The title Nutaui’s Cap means “My father’s cap”. The cap represents the increasing political awareness of this time, with the Innu flag shown on the front. Each passage of the book is translated into the two dialects of Innu-aimun.

“2019 was the United Nations International Year of Indigenous languages and the book was published in part in recognition of this. All Indigenous languages are in danger of disappearing,” said Bartel.

Nutaui’s Cap has been added to the curriculum for two Innu schools in Labrador—in Sheshatshiu and Natuashish. It is the only book the schools have of this period of history in their language. There is an extensive glossary at the end of the book for students to use as reference.

The illustrator Mary Ann Penashue is a celebrated Innu artist from Sheshatshiu, who has had works displayed at galleries in Labrador and Newfoundland, Quebec and Ontario.  

Though it’s been 30 years since the events recounted in the book, Bartel feels the story still has relevance today.

“Right now we are on the verge of doing a protest for our lives and for our earth, against climate change. And the only way we’re going to create change is to do this type of protesting, despite all the costs that it incurs,” said Bartel.

All royalties from the book will go to the Mamu Tshishkutamashutau scholarship fund set up by the Innu Education Board.

To learn more about Nutaui’s Cap, visit bobbartel.com.