LIQUID HERITAGE : The Waters as Heritage Sites: learning from le Fleuve, Kanaiatarowenenneh (original) (raw)

Who is part of the We that belongs to the landscapes they observe? Who participates in the creation of a world dreamt by the Waters? Who choses what is of us, or of a Heritage? Although certain authors believe that the waters cannot speak for themselves; “étant donné que le fleuve ne peut pas parler de lui-même”, (Vega Cárdenas, 2023 p.42), I wonder then, who can determine the Fleuve’s needs, who has the authority to speak in the name of the Fleuve’s contributions to society, and who is included when we reminisce on her legendary past? The purpose of this paper is threefold: to explore the historical heritage of the Fleuve through two frameworks (settler Québécois communities and Indigenous perspectives, in particular Kanien’kehá:ka), to question the framework of heritage itself in the analysis of the Fleuve as an entity, and to offer a creative alternative to become part of the Heritage of its waters. The first part will explore, through textual analysis, the Fleuve’s cultural history, impact, meanings. Though originally, the purpose was to identify ritual related practices concerning the Fleuve (to better argue its potential as a Liquid, Living, Heritage); this research took a more literary turn, prioritising the contextualization of the Fleuve’s importance in the construction of Identities, rather than its usages. Therefore, the first and second chapters will review selected Québécois and Kanien’kehá:ka articles, addressing their emic definitions of the Fleuve, and auto-narrated histories. Through these, we will observe the relationship authors from these communities recount with the waters, the way they explain their connection to the Fleuve, and sometimes, to each other. Throughout these two chapters, we will be reflecting on the RELI 6007 course. By referring to class materials, we will question the heritage, and disinheritance frameworks as potential schemes to address the Waters. Finally, the last aspect of this paper will be a creative project, likely annexed due to lack of time/space – but added to a drive none the less. Chapter one is Fleuve, who, why, problematics, and methodologies Chapter two is Attachments. Chapter three is Art. https://youtu.be/xVRqqeOR-Po