They are eight. Eight Indigenous or racialized women who come to talk about love and sensuality as part of an event called Neecheemuswhich means “my love” in the Cree language.
Multidisciplinary artist Émilie Monnet has invited “inspired and inspiring” women to speak for four performances at Espace Go. Poetess Joséphine Bacon, singer-songwriter Elisapie, ethnologist Isabelle Picard, painter and novelist Virginia Pésémapéo Bordeleau and choreographer Angélique Willkie notably accepted the invitation.
With this show, Émilie Monnet wanted to talk about love (with a capital A) and pleasure while the coldness of the pandemic was raging. “The news was heavy and I wanted to talk about the pleasure of being together and what feels good. For me, love is a fundamental value, at the heart of human relations, but also of our relations with the Earth. And we really need love these days. »
In the middle of a setting reminiscent of the native tent with its rugs, skins and candles, each of the performers will come “to bring their brand to the fire”, as Joséphine Bacon puts it so beautifully.
She immediately accepted the invitation. “Émilie allows us to be free, spontaneous,” says the 76-year-old poet. For me, love represents several verbs. Or rather a big verb with a capital A.” Joséphine Bacon will recite a poem written for the occasion, but she will also pass on part of the oral tradition of her people by telling the story of Wolverine and his first encounter with the women.
“He saw women across the river. These women were self-sufficient. Wolverine will have to use several stratagems to get to them. And it is thanks to this meeting that everything started and that we knew sex. I like Carcajou a lot, because he does a lot of stupid things. His story puts a smile on our faces! »
They will be eight performers on stage plus two musicians who will wrap the words of their music, namely Frannie Holder and Anachnid. Caroline Monnet, Émilie’s sister, will add her touch with projections of lovers kissing. And the men? “It’s in the words that the men will be there”, launches Joséphine Bacon.
An inclusive and intergenerational event
For Émilie Monnet, it went without saying to open the discussion by welcoming racialized women, such as Marie-Louise Bibish Mumbu (who acts as author only) and Tatiana Zinga Botao (who will serve as her interpreter.) “J wanted to open up the notion of autochthony beyond Quebec and Canada. There are indigenous peoples in Africa too, with rituals and their relationship with the territory. There are some very interesting things to share. Our people are very inclusive and I wanted to reach out to them and invite them into the tent. »
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Joséphine Bacon (left) and Émilie Monnet share a great bond.
I also wanted to bring together several generations of women. We have a lot to learn from each other. And we love differently in the city and in the territory. Just think of Tinder… The range of lovers is very diverse.
Emilie Monnet
Joséphine Bacon adds: “Finding myself with these young people, with Indian women, is a joy, an offering that I accept. Being around them feeds me for the rest of the day. This show will be a beautiful sharing between us and with the public. »
Together, all these women have the desire to reflect on our relationship with each other and the damage caused by colonization on these same relationships. “There are things that existed before colonization and which have not been transmitted. There are lessons to be learned, in particular by reflecting on the freedom that Wendat women had. Bits of memory have come down to us through the writings of the Jesuits,” says Émilie Monnet.
She continues: “I want to offer another look at our people. The impact of colonization has created several problems, particularly with regard to sexual violence. However, sensuality is a notion that is anchored in the territory. With us, love is more than a physical or carnal relationship. »
Each one will therefore come to bring their personal insight, according to the form that they like. Songs, tales, new erotica, poems… And as Joséphine Bacon promises, the words will be able to change from evening to evening, like oral tradition…
For Emilie Monnet, Neecheemus marks the beginning of a new cycle after the one dedicated to the story of the native slave Marguerite Duplessis. “This cycle of love will linger more on the boundary between human and non-human. In particular, it will be a question of our relationship to trees, but also of friendship. In short, the source is far from dry for Émilie Monnet.
From January 19 to 22, at Espace Go