Back in November, as part of a cultural exchange, I found myself in Kitcisakik, an Anicinape community near Val d’Or.
It’s a bit hard to explain briefly how I was able take part in this experience.
I mostly have my friend Divya to thank for setting this up. Basically it goes like this:
My friend Divya works with Catherine Potvin, an inspiring professor at McGill University in the department of biology. Professor Potvin is on the vanguard of climate change science, doing work both in public policy and on the ground, as she partners with indigenous communities across Panama and Canada.
Every year, for the past twenty years, she brings students from wide disciplines to Panama to learn about tropical biology, Panamanian indigenous history and human geography, among other things. I took part in this program while I was still an undergrad in biology, prior to switching to my photography career.
In recent years, Professor Potvin, has extended that program, inviting the same students who were in Panama to take part in a cultural exchange in Kitcisakik. To make those trips worth it, a certain number of students need to be reached, and when they had a few open slots this year, Divya thankfully invited me, a former student of that initial program.
So now it’s November, and five of us set out from Montreal, crammed in a two-door Hyundai Accent, with our huge backpacks, sleeping bags, and mats between our legs and behind our heads. We had zero visibility on the highway in a snowstorm, beautifully complemented by a window washer fluid pump not working.
When we somehow finally arrived at our destination, we were first greeted by the dogs roaming around in the community. I was instantly hit with an oh shit I might have underpacked kind of glacial wind. There was a foot snow more than what I had expected, and 15 degrees fewer too.
Over the course of the next few days, we were introduced to many residents of Kitcisakik. We learned more about the dark history of the residential school system days, their ongoing fight for the recognition of the territory, and the efforts made in the community for social rehabilitation. But for the most part, we simply hung out and helped wherever we could. Getting firewood, cooking and cleaning, playing hockey with the kids.
Perhaps the highlight of the trip for me was building our own campsite in the woods and sleeping in -28C weather. Led by Donald and his hammer, and Jerry and his chainsaw, we built a very DIY prospector’s tent with balsam fir bedding.
Below I’m sharing a photo essay, where you’ll see glimpses of our short stay.
Thanks for reading!