Caribou Hunter: A Song of a Vanished Life

by Mathieu Mestokosho, Joan Irving (Translator), J. Edward Chamberlin (Foreword)

In this moving memoir told to anthropologist Serge Bouchard, Innu hunter Mathieu Mestokosho reveals a world that existed between 1890 and 1960, a culture of native trapper-hunters in a vast, hostile environment. He recalls his childhood, describes the long, difficult journeys he undertook as he and other hunters traveled the taiga in search of caribou, and explains how they were able to conserve their physical strength and keep moving "to the rhythm of the heart and drum."

Genres: Nonfiction

183 pages, Paperback

First published October 4, 2004

Reviews

[Léo Brunet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bienvenue dans l'univers bien réel d'un chasseur semi-nomade, à la quête de rêves et de viande de caribou. Suivez-le à travers les lacs gelés de la Côte-Nord du Québec, pendant qu'il pratiquent des techniques de chasse vieilles de centaines d'années, et vous démontre à quel point un homme peux être résilient quand son mode de vie en dépend.

[Chinchilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides genuine insights into the traditional way of living of the Innu people. The storyteller, Mathieu Mestokosho, had been a prosperous hunter; in my opinion, being a successful and hardworking hunter gave him the credibility to criticize judgmental westerners and other selfish/lazy Indians. Stories in this book were told through a very organic voice: Mestokosho's words were straightforward and unpolished, and the verses carried a cadence of which I associate with all native storytelling. These stories are simple but detailed, as it was a necessity to recall events in great detail in a oral society.

Mestokosho's family lived their lives through constant travel and hunting. Every year, they moved hundreds of miles on foot (with the aid of canoes and toboggans), primarily following the caribou migratory routes, in order to survive. They strategically spread out their provisions, meat harvests and tools along the routes they took annually. To know which route to take, what to take with them, and when to arrive at specific time of the year meant a greater possibility to live. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their living arrangements, their lifestyle, their interactions with fellow Indians, white fur traders, clergyman, and especially with the animals. All the hardship (or what seems to me as tremendous difficulties to overcome constantly) was described in a matter-of-fact manner; to Mestokosho, that was just a part of life, a life that was hard yet satisfactory. I came across many wise advice and cautionary tales in this book that would apply themselves, just the same, in the Western civilization.

I would recommend this book to people interested in the Native cultures. This is the first book I have ever read that was "written" (through translation) directly by an Indian, without much editing. Especially having just finished Being Caribou by Karsten Heuer, this book provides drastic contrasts in the way how white people and the natives treat animals differently. All was very interesting. I give it 3.75 stars.

[Daniel Levy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Au début des années 70, un jeune anthropologue recueillait les propos de Mathieu Mestokosho, chasseur innu qui avait connu la vie nomade d'autrefois. Dans cette étude, on revit les parcours à travers la neige en raquette, les portages, la chasse et la pêche traditionnelles...

Si je n'ai pas eu la chance de croiser Serge Bouchard avant son décès en 2021, j'ai eu le plaisir de prendre des cours de la langue innue avec la petite-fille de M. Mestokosho, Yvette Mollen. Je conseille vivement la lecture de cet opus pour découvrir comment vivait cette communauté vibrante et majestueuse avant l'établissement des pensionnats génocidaires.

[Christophe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Récit intéressant de la vie d'un chasseur innu qui nous en apprend beaucoup sur un univers méconnu. J'ai eu parfois de la difficulté à rester entièrement dans le récit puisqu'il est très au quotidien, mais c'est aussi l'une des forces de ce récit. Les commentaires plus << sociologiques >> sont à la fin du livre si c'est ce que vous recherchez.

En somme, je recommande la lecture pour explorer un univers qui nous est méconnu. Mais, ne vous attendez pas à un fil d'ariane extrêmement clair ou à un récit d'aventure.

[Edmond Sauve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ce livre est essentiel à toute personne désirant connaître l'état de la faune nord-côtière ainsi que le mode de vie de ses occupants, il y a à peine un siècle. On y découvre un monde mythique, où le talent et l'héroïsme des chasseurs assurent la subsistance de leur famille. On peut également apprécier la fine connaissance du territoire (Nitassinan) qu'habitaient les Innus.
Nous devons être reconnaissants pour les travaux de Serge Bouchard et les traducteurs innu-aimun/français pour ce merveilleux témoignage d'une époque révolue.

[V-Ro BM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dans ce récit, il se passe peu de choses pour un humain "moderne". On y raconte la chasse, la marche en forêt, la vie plus simple il me semble, mais plus rude, qu'est la vie dans le bois. L'importance de chaque chose qui est faite, le lien entre l'homme et son environnement qu'est la nature. J'imagine de grands espaces, marchés génération après génération, connus et respectés de ceux qui les habitent, un récit comme un regard sur un mode de vie complètement différent de celui qu'on connait, un récit comme une mémoire à ce qui était, avant qu'on arrache à un peuple sa terre et sa culture...

[Marijke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lire ce livre, c’est une incursion dans le quotidien et le mode de vie d’un chasseur Innu raconté par ce dernier durant ses vieux jours et traduit et retranscrit par Serge Bouchard anthropologue. Très intéressant .

[EmmanuelleGM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pour apprendre à connaître le monde innu, comprendre reconnaître les changements importants auxquels les Innu ont du faire face.

[Sam Gauthier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intéressant... Pas un must

[Helena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books that's a great sociological - information source. If you're conducting research on traditional life ways, the far north, writing a paper or even if planning on living off the grid and off the land in a northern wilderness setting. Do you hunt? If so, I think this book will be of some interest.

However, if you are looking for an interesting read, information about First Nations traditional culture, spirituality, arts, or philosophy, I'm not sure this is what you want. Its all here as an energy, or force underlying the various memories and adventures, but never stated as such. The author, Serge Bouchard, and people like him worked very hard. The life he describes was a seasonal round of moving one place to the next, hunting or walking the trap lines.

Hunters and hunting families follow the natural cycles dictated by the seasons, and Bouchard shares memories and tales from years long past. Some involve severe weather, or encounters with wildlife, and different adventures or humorous exchanges with other people. Reading this is a little like listening to an elder in their late 90's talk about life back when they were young.

After finishing, I'm so thankful to not be a woman and living in this way, but also have a hearty respect for those men and women who still do.

[Laurence · Rating 5 out of 5]

(le refuge de matilde sur le bord de la rivière jacques cartier, on vient de s'y baigner et maintenant on l’entend couler sur les rochers de son berceau

lanterne au plafond, sac de couchage aux pieds, on boit de la gadelle et on refait le monde en poésie)

[Joanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a translation of a true account from an Innu hunter. I enjoyed the prologue more than I enjoyed the body of the book. I thought I'd like reading the true account, but I couldn't keep up with the names and the places. The map included didn't have enough detail to help me follow.