Scorched barren landscape in shades of blue
In the early hours of mid-June, Captain Marcelle Jenniss sets sail from the harbor of Quinze-Collets, Tourelle, on the north coast of Gaspésie. As the sun begins to rise, she navigates the Bluefin through the St. Lawrence estuary, bound for a day of lobster fishing.
Captain Jenniss, a Wolastoqiyik (Malecite) woman, is a trailblazer in the traditionally male-dominated maritime fishing industry. Hailing from Musquaro on the Lower North Shore, she has sailed on all the salt waters in eastern Quebec and the Maritimes, combining traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern fishing techniques.
On board the Bluefin, Captain Jenniss is accompanied by four fisherman-marins - Luc, Manon, Étienne, and Jean-François - and the author of the lines. Together, they lift 250 lobster traps filled with a dozen beasts each and re-bait each trap with sculpin or mackerel. As the sun higher, and the Bluefin gently rocks, one might imagine the hustle and bustle below the surface of the water in the abyss.
Jenniss’s story is remarkable as it highlights her journey breaking barriers and asserting Indigenous rights and women’s leadership in commercial fishing. Her experiences on Bluefin reveal both the trials and triumphs of working in a demanding industry: facing the physical hardships of fishing life, encountering regulatory and environmental challenges, and dealing with the complex dynamics around Indigenous fishing rights.
Captain Jenniss fishes for the benefit of her community, whose administration is located in Cacouna, near Rivière-du-Loup. The journey is on the lobster boat Bluefin, running from orange buoy to orange buoy, a total of 50 buoys, each containing five traps. Her leadership not only contributes to her community’s economic and cultural sustenance but also serves as a symbol of resilience and empowerment for Indigenous women in maritime industries.
Through her work, Jenniss brings attention to the significance of Indigenous stewardship of natural resources and the ongoing struggle for recognition and equity in fishing rights. Her story is one of courage, dedication, and pioneering spirit on the waters of the St. Lawrence estuary and the Maritimes.
Meanwhile, in a different realm, Thomas Dumats from the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne is working on the theme "What can beauty do against violence?" on Studocu. And in the world of cinema, Patrick Hivon stars in a film titled "Love Apocalypse", described as deeply touching and funny without being a "feel good movie".
In a rare public appearance, Melania Trump was recently spotted, but the article does not provide any specific insights about her personal convictions. As the day ends, the thoughts one might have while driving home linger, much like the echoes of Captain Jenniss's journey on the waters of the St. Lawrence estuary.
- Captain Jenniss's journey on the Bluefin not only contributes to her community's economic sustenance but also showcases the fusion of traditional Indigenous culture with a contemporary lifestyle, as demonstrated by her combination of traditional knowledge with modern fishing techniques in the fashion-and-beauty of her sailing and the food-and-drink she shares with her crew.
- As one delves into the experiences of Captain Jenniss, a trailblazer in the maritime fishing industry, it becomes evident that her story transcends the traditional borders of industry and geography, offering a travelogue of resilience and empowerment, immersing us in a culture that values community, heritage, and the stewardship of natural resources.
