Joséphine Bacon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joséphine Bacon OC
Joséphine Bacon at the festival Manitou 2017, Mont-Tremblant, QC
Born	23 April 1947 Pessamit
Occupation	poet, documentary film maker, lyricist, translator, teacher
Language	Innu-aimun, French

Joséphine Bacon (born April 23, 1947) is an amazing Innu poet from a place called Pessamit in Quebec. She writes her poems in both French and her native language, Innu-aimun.

Besides writing, Joséphine Bacon has done many other cool things. She has worked as a translator, helping people understand each other. She has also been a community researcher, learning about her people's history. She is a documentary filmmaker and has even written songs for singers like Chloé Sainte-Marie. She also teaches at Kiuna Institution in Odanak.

About Joséphine Bacon's Life

Joséphine Bacon was born in the Innu community of Pessamit in 1947. For the first five years of her life, she lived on the land with her family. This means she spent time in nature, learning about her culture. After that, she went to a boarding school in Maliotenam.

In the 1960s, she moved to Quebec City. There, she worked as a secretary. Later, she went to a special school in Ottawa to learn more about secretarial work. This school was run by the Office of Aboriginal Affairs. In 1968, she moved to Montreal.

Her Work as a Translator

In Montreal, Joséphine Bacon became a translator. She also transcribed interviews. She helped anthropologists talk to important Innu elders. These elders were wise people who held a lot of knowledge. They shared their stories and traditions from Labrador and Quebec. Joséphine helped make sure their voices were heard.

A Film About Her Life

A film was made about Joséphine Bacon in 2020. It is a documentary called Call Me Human (or Je m'appelle humain). The film was directed by Kim O'Bomsawin. It tells the story of Joséphine's life and her important work.

Special Recognition

In 2023, Joséphine Bacon received a very special honor. She was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. This award is one of the highest honors a Canadian can receive. It recognizes people who have made a big difference in Canada. Joséphine Bacon currently lives in Montreal.

Joséphine Bacon's Published Works

Joséphine Bacon has written many wonderful books of poetry. Her poems often share stories about her Innu culture and experiences. Here are some of her notable works:

• Désobéissons ! Eka pashishtetau ! (2019)
• Uiesh |Quelque part (2018)
• A tea in the tundra = Nipishapui nete mushuat (2017)
• Un thé dans la toundra = Nipishapui nete mushuat (2013)
• Mingan, mon village : poèmes d'écoliers innus (2012)
• Nous sommes tous des sauvages (2011)
• Bâtons à message| Message Sticks | Thissinuashitakana (2010)

Documentaries by Joséphine Bacon

Joséphine Bacon has also worked in filmmaking. She has directed one documentary herself. She also worked as a translator and narrator for other filmmakers. She helped with documentaries by Arthur Lamothe and Gilles Carle.

Some of the films she worked on include:

• Tshishe Mishtikuashisht - Le petit grand européen : Johan Beetz (1997)
• Ameshkuatan - Les sorties du castor (1978)

Her very first documentary film was about a meeting between Innu elders and clan mothers from Kahnawake. Sadly, this film has been lost.

Awards and Special Honors

Joséphine Bacon has received many awards for her amazing work. These awards show how much her poetry and efforts are appreciated.

• Prix des libraires du Québec (Quebec Booksellers' Prize) for her poetry, 2019.
• Indigenous Voices Awards for her French works, 2019.
• Officer of l’Ordre de Montréal, 2018.
• Champion of the Order of Arts and Letters of Quebec, 2018.
• Prix International Ostana – écritures en langue maternelle (International Ostana Prize – Mother Tongue Writing), 2017.
• Reader's Prize at the Montreal Poetry Market for her poem "Dessine-moi l’arbre", 2010.
• Honorary doctorate from Laval University, 2016.
• Finalist for the Governor General's Awards for Un thé dans la toundra/Nipishapui nete mushuat, 2014.
• Finalist for the Grand Prix du livre de Montréal for Un thé dans la toundra/Nipishapui nete mushuat, 2014.