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Moisie River Point and Happiness

Shana G. St-Onge
October 14, 2016
Uashat mak Mani-Utenam

"It's nice here. The energy’s beautiful."

Shana G. St-Onge, Innu

The tip of the Moisie River, east of Sept-Îles, less than two kilometres from Mani-Utenam. This is where Shana G. St-Onge's ancestors gathered before leaving for the territory in the fall, and where she now meets her friends in the summer. It's her favourite place. A beach of fine sand, tall grass beaten by the wind, calm and fresh water that’s perfect to swim in. What more could you ask for?

Transcript

Sunny outdoor scene near a body of water. Waves are washing up on a the sandy shore. Tall grass beat in the wind on the riverbank. A young girl is dressed in black pants and a blue jacket. A red hood is covering her head.

Hi! I'm Shana St-Onge from the community of Uashat Mak Maliotenam. I wanted to introduce you to my neck of the woods. Not only mine, but also that of many people, many young people.

The young girl looks around.

We really like coming here because it's quiet, very quiet. We feel a good energy. We come more during the summer because we can swim. It’s fresh water, eh. That's all fresh water.

She points to the water in front of her.

There's salt water as well, but it's over there.

She turns around and points in the opposite direction.

I don't know if you can see the small glimpse of light over there, where the sun shines on the water. It's less than 2 kilometers away. There’s a beach in Malio, but it’s salt water. Here. It’s more fun. It's fresh water. The point is east of Sept-Îles, further than the community of Maliotenam. I find it such a funny coincidence because it's really a point where young people gather together. We loved making campfires, swimming, chatting, simply do nothing.

She points to the beach.

This was an assembly point for our ancestors who left for the territory. It’s the Moisie River that runs to the Georges River. They would leave in early summer and spring. About ten canoes would leave for the territories and return in the fall. No. They went there and came back. Yeah... They came back in the spring and went there in the fall. That's it.

She points to her left, in the distance, along the beach.

It's a bit of a shame. I don't know if you can see over there. There are trucks there. That was a nice place as well. Because we could set up camp there. There was a beautiful little green lawn a little out of the way. Not like here, where you can see someone over there and also over there.

Given that the girl is located in a flat area of land, it allows one to see all around them.

It’s too bad. I hope they’ll remake it, clean it up. And the river comes out that way. I don't know if you can see, but the water comes out over there and joins the sea.

She points to her right.

I like coming here. Pretty much everyone likes it. It's a must every summer. Yeah, if you come to Sept-Îles, come take a look at the point. It's a very beautiful place. Some will probably remember, that there were a lot of squatters that came here, because it was such a beautiful place. It wasn't really controlled. People came here just to rest, to get out of the city.

To her left, a van moves towards the beach.

It's really beautiful. Pickups come here just to hang out. That doesn't surprise me. It's nice here. There’s a good energy. (Laughter)

She continues to look to her left.

Behind the gazebo, there are little trees, and there was a little slope. Right where I told you there was a nice lawn, there was a little slope. That’s where everyone wanted to go. Because you're exposed to full sun, protected from the wind, and it’s a small beach where only a few people could go. Could... Well, could go set up there. It was a little beach. Everyone. Well, yeah, pretty much everyone comes here whenever they want.

At the wee hours of the morning, in the evening, people come to fish here as well, with nets. The little peaks like that, over here there, where there’s a pile of rocks, that's where they would set up. There are several places like that.

She keeps pointing to the left and making semi-circular signs referring to the bays.

Now it's the end of October, so it's a little cold. It's very windy. So, if you pass by Sept-Îles, come here. Well... eh! That's it.

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