Maniaten (Mary Adele)  Penashue

Traditional Innu Midwife -  1928-2026

Nutshimit & Sheshatshiu, NL

Maniaten was born in nutshimit, on the land, in 1928, during
a time when the Innu way of life was lived fully and freely.
As one of our last nomadic elders, she witnessed much
change and carried with her the knowledge and experience
of that life.

​

Originally from northern Labrador, Maniaten, as a young girl, made the journey to Sheshatshiu with other Innu by foot where she later met her husband Louis, and raised a large family together.

​

Maniaten has shared with us her experiences as

a midwife, her memories in walking the land,

following the caribou, living from the land, and

of coming together with other Innu, in times of

hardship and in times of plenty.