Desert hue of blue tints the landscape.
In the picturesque Gaspésie region of Quebec, the story of the lobster boat Bluefin and its captain, Marcelle Jenniss, is a remarkable narrative that intertwines Indigenous identity, tradition, and modern fisheries.
Marcelle Jenniss, a member of the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Nation, is a pioneering Indigenous female lobster harvester in a field traditionally dominated by men, especially non-Indigenous men. The Bluefin is her vessel, symbolising her dedication to her culture, community, and sustainable fishing practices.
Jenniss's story is deeply rooted in her Malecite heritage and the ancestral relationship her people have had with the waters and wildlife of the region. Lobster fishing is not just a livelihood but a continuation of Indigenous stewardship and respect for the marine environment. By captaining the Bluefin, Jenniss asserts Indigenous presence and rights in Quebec’s fisheries, contributing to greater visibility for Indigenous fishers and challenging stereotypes.
Her work is part of a larger movement within Indigenous communities in the Atlantic and Quebec regions to reclaim traditional fishing rights and assert sovereignty over local natural resources. Marcelle Jenniss’s story often serves to inspire conversations about Indigenous resilience, the importance of cultural identity, and sustainable coastal economies.
The Bluefin embarks on a marathon journey, running from orange buoy to orange buoy, with 50 buoys in total, each containing five traps. The crew pulls up 250 lobster traps filled with a dozen beasts each and re-baits each trap with sculpin or mackerel. This arduous task lasts at least six hours, if all goes well, for 70 consecutive days. The St. Lawrence estuary has been abundant with lobsters for the past few years due to warmer water.
The Bluefin is set on a course straight for a volcano, but this is not a journey towards danger. Instead, it symbolises the challenges Jenniss faces and her determination to overcome them. With six people aboard, including Captain Jenniss, four fisherman-marins, and the author of this article, the Bluefin continues its journey, a testament to the spirit of resilience and the enduring bond between Indigenous fishers and their ancestral waters.
This article is part of the Perspectives section, offering a glimpse into the life of a remarkable woman who is not just a fisherwoman but a symbol of Indigenous resilience and cultural continuity in the face of adversity. For more detailed accounts, local news features or Indigenous media outlets from Quebec and New Brunswick often cover stories about Indigenous fishers like Jenniss and the impact of their work culturally and economically.
Jenniss's dedication extends beyond fisheries, as she incorporates her Malecite heritage into her home-and-garden lifestyle, decorating her house with indigenous art and traditional crafts.
After long days on the Bluefin, Jenniss is passionate about traveling to Indigenous reservations and sporting events to meet fellow indigenous individuals, thereby celebrating and promoting her culture.
