Indigenous Literatures and Cinema of Quebec
In a province where debates on the status of the French language and Quebec sovereignty often take center stage, where do Indigenous people’s rights, languages and voices stand? How do Indigenous writers and filmmakers of Quebec contend with the lines drawn around language, territory and race? In this course, we will examine the specificity of Indigenous literary arts in Quebec, with a focus on Indigenous literature and cinema of the 20th and 21st centuries. We will study the socio-historical and political context of the production of the works and attempt to better understand the epistemologies that underlie them. In particular, we will reflect on the themes of language, sovereignty, territory, kinship and the body. Based on a selection of texts from a variety of literary (oral history, autobiography, essay, poetry, short story) and cinematographic genres (visual archives, documentary, short film) and from creators belonging to First Nations (Innu, Wendat, Cree, Mohawk, Abenaki) and Inuit and Métis communities, we will consider the great diversity of Indigenous literary arts in Quebec.
Language of Instruction: English
Instructor: Dr. Isabella Huberman
Prerequisite: No prerequisites
Close Reading Tests – 30% (2 x 15%)
Co-facilitation of a workshop – 15%
Podcast – 10%
Outline of Final Project – 10%
Final Project – 25%
Active Participation – 10%
* this information is subject to change
Required texts:
- An Antane Kapesh, Eukuan nin matshimanitu innu-ishkueu / I Am a Damn Savage and What Have You Done to My Country?
- Virginia Pésémapéo Bordeleau, Blue bear woman
- Naomi Fontaine, Kuessipan
- Additional required texts and supplementary materials will be provided in digital format and made available to students on Canvas.
Recommended texts:
- Younging, Gregory, Elements of Indigenous Style A Guide for Writing By and About Indigenous Peoples
- Vowel, Chelsea, Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Métis and Inuit Issues in Canada
(Available online via UBC Libraries)