Jamesie Fournier in Iqaluit where he lived to study Inuktitut. © Jamesie Fournier
Sewn Together
A Writer Discovers his Past in Poetry Collection
POETRY HAS BEEN A LONG JOURNEY FOR ME. I started writing poetry when I realized I did not have to wait for the poetry unit each year in class. I first started writing my new book Elements in 2015 as a way to let my emotions have their say and be able to better understand them. To have your thoughts and emotions acknowledged without judgment is a peaceful feeling. You are okay, flaws and all.
The poem “Landfast” by Jamesie Fournier. Image provided by Inhabit Media
Elements follows a troubled figure working through the joys and problems of life.
The collection, published in English and Inuktitut by Inhabit Media in the fall of 2023, represents a period of great change in my life. The poems sewn together in the pages of Elements saw me through challenging times as I struggled through addiction, heartbreak, and worked to redefine myself as I came to terms with life. If my poetry can, in turn, help others navigate their own challenges then maybe this journey has not all been for naught. Searching for a better version of yourself is worthwhile, not only for your own sake but for your friends and loved ones as well.
Elements follows a troubled figure working through the joys and problems of life. The collection is divided into seven elements, different spheres of influence that radiate and overlap to create our figure.
Each section of Elements tackles a different facet of character. The ‘Blood’ poems speak to internalized oppression. ‘Sinew’ combats cultural oppression. ‘Flesh’ speaks to the trials of love and conflict. ‘Bone’ deals with the pains of addiction. ‘Faith’ juxtaposes spiritual corruption. ‘Stone’ is resurgence and retribution. And finally, ‘Fire’ speaks from resistance to reclamation. The Inuktitut translation of the title is Katiqsugat, meaning, “things that combine to create a whole” or “things that can be taken apart”. I worked with the brilliant Inuk linguist Jaypeetee Arnakak to see my pieces translated.
I continue to grow through writing, language, and a search to better understand myself. Last year I moved to Iqaluit to focus on learning Inuktitut. I met many amazing people and connected with family as well as culture. I met aunts and uncles and cousins and nieces and nephews and felt a wonderful sense of belonging. Being able to share and experience my poetry in Inuktitut is a rare and beautiful experience that adds to my Inuktitut education. I get to discover my poetry all over again. This brings me a sense of accomplishment, knowing that we have created a literary work that also celebrates the culture and language of Inuit.
© Inhabit Media
