Bernard Assiniwi facts for kids

Bernard Assiniwi, also known by his pen name "Chagnan," was a talented Canadian writer, researcher, producer, and actor. He was born in Montreal on July 31, 1935, and passed away on September 4, 2000. Assiniwi identified as Indigenous, specifically Mohawk, Cree, and Algonquin, though his family heritage was French-Canadian. He made important contributions to Canadian literature, especially by sharing stories and history. One of his most famous books is La Saga des Béothuks, which means The Beothuk Saga.

Bernard Assiniwi: A Canadian Storyteller

Early Life and Identity

Bernard Assiniwi was born Bernard Lapierre in Montreal on July 31, 1935. His parents, Joseph-Leonidas Zephirin Lapierre and Eglantine Bleau, were both from Quebec. French was his first language, and he also learned Cree.

As a teenager, Bernard Lapierre began to identify with Indigenous cultures. He identified as Mohawk, then "Algo-Cri," and later as Cree and Algonquin. His family's known heritage was French-Canadian. In 1971, he legally changed his last name from Lapierre to Assiniwi.

He studied at the University of Guelph and earned a degree in animal science.

A Diverse Career Path

Bernard Assiniwi had many different jobs throughout his life. From 1965 to 1968, he helped start the cultural section of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. He also worked as an actor, appearing in films like La vie heureuse de Léopold Z (1965), Les smattes (1972), and Les forges de Saint-Maurice (1973).

He also served as a curator at the Canadian Museum of History (then called the Canadian Museum of Civilization). He worked there until his passing in 2000.

His Impact on Literature

Starting in 1968, Assiniwi wrote and published over 30 books. He also wrote articles for journals and created works for radio, theater, and film. He is recognized as an important writer in Canadian literature. His work helped open doors for other Indigenous authors.

In 1971, his book Anish-nah-be: Contes adultes du pays algonkin became widely read in Quebec. For this book, he received a special mention for the Prix littéraire de la Ville de Montréal. He later worked as a director for the publisher Leméac from 1972 to 1976. In 1999, the University of Québec and Trois-Rivières honored him with an honorary doctorate for his literary achievements.

Recognitions and Legacy

Bernard Assiniwi married Marina Assiniwi, and they had three sons: Marc-André, Christian, and Jean-Yves. He passed away on September 4, 2000, at the age of 65, after heart surgery.

In 2001, a special award was created in his honor, called the Prix Dr. Bernard-Chagnan-Assiniwi. This award celebrates Indigenous artists and creators whose work contributes to their original culture.

Awards and Honors

Bernard Assiniwi received several important awards for his work. In 1997, he won the Jean-Hamelin literature prize for French and Quebec authors. That same year, he was also a finalist for the prestigious Governor General's Literary Award of Canada.

His screenplay, Pre-Recruit Training Camp (1993), earned a Bronze Plaque for best screenplay at the 41st Columbus Film Festival.

Published Books and Works

Bernard Assiniwi wrote many books, covering various topics from recipes to historical sagas. Here is a list of some of his published works: