Maya Cousineau Mollen, an Innu-Montagnaise writer, is McGill’s Mellon Indigenous Writer in Residence for 2022. Encouraged by her adopted parents, Cousineau Mollen began writing poetry at a young age and has since incorporated writing throughout her life. Cousineau Mollen is the cofounder of the First Nations Youth Council in Quebec and Labrador, in addition to founding the association étudiante autochtone à l’Université Laval. Published in anthologies and literary reviews, Cousineau Mollen published her first collection of poetry with la maison d’Éditions Hannenorak titled: Bréviaire du Matricule 082.
The Indigenous Writer in Residence program is one of the initiatives funded by the five-year US$1.25-million grant by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation in June 2019 to support McGill’s Indigenous Studies and Community Engagement Initiative (ISCEI). The ISCEI promotes the growth of the Indigenous Studies Program in the Faculty of Arts, and aims to serve as a nexus for Indigenous scholarship and community-building and to facilitate communication and collaboration both across units at McGill, as well as in partnership with Indigenous communities.
“We are very excited to have Maya be the Indigenous Writer in Residence because she brings with her a passion and connection to her community that is very unique and specific to the Cote Nord Region of Mignan,” says Terry Young, Program Manager, ISCEI. “It is also very exciting to have a Francophone writer in residence because she is able to share her stories and experiences in French which is allowing for ISCEI to work closely with both the English and French Departments by giving class presentations and working with student groups on campus. In the coming weeks Maya will be providing a public talk on her experiences and her recent works.”
Maya Cousineau Mollen will deliver her first lecture as Mellon Writer in Residence on February 23, at 2:30 p.m. The presentation will take place on Zoom in French. Registration is required.
Recently, she spoke with the Reporter.
First of all, you should know that I didn’t apply – I didn’t even know this program existed. But I was so honoured to be chosen – what a joy! It is a wonderful initiative.
No, when I was a kid, I was interested in reading – all kind of books. But in my period we didn’t have any role models as indigenous Writers.
I was in 6th grade. I wrote a little tale of 6 or 7 pages. It was appreciated. After that I wrote a few science-fiction stories.
I started to write poetry when I was in Secondary 4. In high school I took a poetry class and since then, I’ve been hooked.
Poetry is an outlet. Through it, I express what hurts me or makes me react strongly.
It gives me a unique point of view. I see the different challenges … we face as a nation. I use my poetry as a medium to share the teachings of our Indigenous history.
My adopted dad, Pierre Cousineau, who pushed me to write and also Claude Picard, Wendat, who is the mentor for my career and a wonderful guide.
No schedule really. I wait for inspiration.
It’s when I hear shocking news, or I see something that touches me. So, I write on my iPhone.. like Lee Maracle [Indigenous Canadian writer and academic of the Sto꞉lo nation] used to do. May she rest in peace.
Yes, it will be published in April! The name of my second collection of poetry is : Enfants du Lichen.
It helps to know us better. People are more are interested in us and in our stories. They want to know more and walk with us on this new path that we are beginning.
I’d like to start my third book of poetry.
Just a big Thinashkumitin for this tremendous opportunity!
Maya Cousineau Mollen will deliver her first lecture as Mellon Writer in Residence on February 23, at 2:30 p.m. The presentation will take place on Zoom in French. Registration is required.
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Article courtesy of The McGill Reporter
Article courtesy of The McGill Reporter