August 2006 - Interview with Sylvestre and Mary Rich

Translator (Innu-Aimun): Rose Gregoire
Interviewer: Franziska von Rosen
Place: Sheshatshiu, Labrador

Franziska von Rosen: Could we start with you telling us your name and where you are from?

Rose Gregoire: He said his name is Sylvestre Rich. He is originally from Davis Inlet but he has been living down here because he married here. His wife is from here. He was brought up out in the “country” by his parents. He tried to teach his grandchildren the way he was brought up.

FvR: Could you please ask the same questions of his wife?

RG: She said her name is Mary Rich. She is from Sheshatshiu. She was also brought up out in the country when she was growing up. Her parents were in the “country” most of the time when she was young. And that was the way she was brought up.

FvR: Can we ask when they were growing up, did they experience any kind of dancing and drumming?

RG: Yes, he has experienced and seen drum dancing. He was very young when he was taught how to dance by his parents. Mary also has seen and experienced this part of the culture when she was young. She says she was never taught how to drum dance, but she has seen it. She learned by watching.

FvR: Can you ask them how they feel about dancing, what goes through their mind?

RG: While he was dancing he was thinking about his children, and his grandchildren, and whether they would ever see him as he danced tonight. They have never learned. She said that she really enjoyed the dance and she hopes that some day, her children and grandchildren will hear the story and see that she has danced the Innu drum dance. That is what she was thinking about and what she is hoping for. She enjoyed the dance.

FvR: Thank you.

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This project was made possible with the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage through Canadian Culture Online

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