Traditionally nomadic, the Pessamiulnuat, Innus of Pessamit, once travelled the great rivers of their land to reach their secluded hunting grounds. Leaving the coast, Uinipeku, in late summer, they wintered inland, in the Nutshimit, only to return in spring. Navigated by multiple generations of Pessamiulnuat; the rivers of Pessamiu Shipu, Manikuakanishtiku, and Piletipishtiku represent invaluable cultural heritage. However, in the 1950's, they were forever destroyed by the construction of several hydroelectric dams. Portage trails, food caches, temporary villages, ceremonial sites, and Innu cemeteries - all crucial landmarks that spoke of the Innus’ lives lived on these rivers, on this land - have been swallowed whole. One thing these hydroelectric constructions could not erase is the countless memories that the "last nomads" still hold of their life on the land. Throughout this seven-episode series, discover their stories so that what once lay UNDER THE DAMS will finally resurface.
This podcast series seeks to pay tribute to those who, as children, teenagers, or young adults, witnessed the great journeys across their territory fade into the past. Since then, they have been fighting not only for justice but also to preserve a cultural memory that has been brutally altered by the disappearance of the lands and landscapes that once held it. At its core, the project is about memory, resilience, and cultural transmission—ensuring that the stories of Elders and knowledge keepers are shared, honored, and passed on to future generations.
Sous les barrages: Tshishe Manikuan (Under the Dams : Tshishe Manikuan) is a one-off podcast series that delves into the history, memory, and culture of the Innus of Pessamit. In seven episodes, this project explores the disruptions caused by the construction of hydroelectric dams on the Nitassinan, which submerged essential markers of the Innu nomadic way of life; and highlights the community's ongoing fight to safekeep the memories of their traditional way of life.
Episode 1 : Call of the Great North : Every year, our families set out, by canoe, from the shore at Pessamit to reach their ancestral land, where they hunted all winter long. This journey inland, lasting over a month, is a true ritual that requires careful preparation. An English-subtitled version of the first episode is available to download in the “Confidential Section”. All other episodes are in French.
The project was developed as a multiplatform experience by combining an immersive bilingual podcast in both Innu-aimun and French, a permanent exhibition in the community, and a website featuring an interactive land-traveling map which showcases the occupation of the land by the Innus and the consequences of the flooding caused by the dams. Enhanced by rich sound design, we aimed to make the podcast transport listeners into the heart of the Innu experience, blending oral history with contemporary perspectives.
One of the biggest challenges we faced was ensuring the authenticity of the storytelling while making it accessible to a broader audience. Translating oral traditions into a modern audio format required careful adaptation without losing the essence of Innu storytelling. We worked closely with Innu translators, prioritizing a respectful and iterative process. Indeed, the project was brought to life through a deeply community-centered and culturally-grounded approach. From the beginning, we aimed to prioritize the voices of Innu Elders and knowledge keepers, ensuring their stories were collected with the utmost respect. We engaged directly with the community of Pessamit, fostering trust and collaboration to create a project that truly belongs to them.
As a project that challenges mainstream media narratives, ensuring a strong and visible platform for Innu voices was essential, but also proved to be a challenge in itself. This is why we opted to design the project as a multiplatform experience while working with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous media partners. We aimed to create a space where these voices could resonate widely while remaining true to their cultural roots. In that regard, it is worth noting that our podcast is the first Indigenous language original podcast featured on Radio-Canada Ohdio's platform which proves just how much work remains to be done to bring indigenous voices into mainstream media. It is also Jean Luc Kanapé’s first work as a Director; he was awarded the Emerging Leadership award for the First Nations Guardians Gathering in 2021.
More than a podcast, our project stands as a powerful act of cultural preservation and reclamation, offering a rarely heard perspective in the mediascape while strengthening Innu heritage for future generations.
By placing Innu voices at the center of our process and of our podcast, we have preserved invaluable oral histories and created a lasting cultural archive that future generations can access. The podcast being bilingual, available in both Innu-aimun and French, has reached both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences, fostering greater understanding and recognition of Innu realities.
The project’s multiplatform approach has ensured that these stories remain accessible and deeply rooted in the community. Elders and community members have expressed pride in seeing their histories documented and shared in a format that honours their traditions. Indeed, their culture is rooted in oral traditions and transmissions, so in our modern world, a podcast was a great way to stay true to that oral tradition.
Additionally, the production process itself was a success in terms of community engagement. By working closely with local translators, artists, and storytellers, we strengthened cultural transmission and reinforced the vitality of the Innu language. The project has also sparked important discussions on land, memory, language preservation, and justice, both within and beyond the community.
Ultimately, Sous les barrages : Tshishe Manikuan is more than just a podcast — it is a tool for remembrance, resistance, and education. Its success lies in its ability to reclaim space for Innu voices in the media landscape while ensuring that cultural knowledge continues to thrive despite historical and ongoing challenges.
