Mingan My Village

While descending the Kuakuapishish River I am transformed into a butterfly With my new wings, like a wolf I cry When night falls. – Cynthia

Illustrator Roge visited a school in Mingan, an Innu village in northeastern Quebec. He spent a few days taking the time to photograph each child. Once he returned home to his studio, brush in hand, he revisited the eyes of these children and drew their portraits.

Mingan, my Village is a collection of fifteen faces, and fifteen poems written by young Innu. Given a platform to be heard, the children chose to transport readers far away from the difficulties and problems related to their realities to see the beauty that surrounds them in nature.

First published in 2012 Mingan my village has won several awards and nominations, including: Winner, 2013 Prix des libraires du Quebec jeunesse (5-11 years category), 2013 Governor General’s Award, French Children’s Illustration finalist, Finalist, Prix TD de Litterature Canadienne pour L'enfance et la Jeunesse 2013