Author News: Naomi Fontaine

 

Manikanetish by Naomi Fontaine

Manikanetish is a book by Naomi Fontaine. (Kizzy E. Steve, House of Anansi Press)

In Manikanetish, a young Innu woman, Yammie, returns to her home in the Uashat nation on Quebec's North Shore after 15 years of exile. She plans to teach language and drama at the community's school, but finds a community stalked by despair. When she accepts a position directing the school play, she sees an opportunity for her students to take charge of themselves. 

When you can read it: Sept. 28, 2021

Naomi Fontaine is a member of the Innu Nation of Uashat. Her debut novel, Kuessipan, was made into a film that was featured at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. The French language edition of Manikanetish was a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Awards and Radio Canada's Combat des livres 2019.