RITA MESTOKOSHO

Rita Mestokosho is an Innu poet, writer, and activist born in 1966 in Ekuanitshit, Quebec. Raised in a traditional Innu environment, she spent much of her childhood on the land with her family, experiences that deeply influence her work.

She studied political science at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi before returning to her community, where she has been actively involved in cultural and educational initiatives. Mestokosho is a strong advocate for the preservation of the Innu language and culture and has worked as a cultural leader and spokesperson for her community.

Her poetry is closely tied to her activism, often addressing environmental protection, Indigenous identity, and the relationship between people and the land. She has published several poetry collections and is recognized as one of the first Innu poets to gain international attention.

This biography is adapted from the article “Rita Mestokosho” on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Mestokosho), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes have been made.