A Quebec bestseller inspired by the life of Michel Jean's great-grandmother, Kukum offers a heartfelt and evocative portrayal of profound change within an Innu community.

The novel tells the story of Almanda Siméon, an orphan raised by her aunt and uncle, who falls in love with a young Innu man despite their cultural differences. Embraced by the Pekuakami Innu community as one of their own, Almanda immerses herself in their language, adopts their nomadic way of life, and begins to challenge the societal barriers faced by Indigenous women. Spanning nearly a century, the narrative chronicles the decline of the Innu's traditional lifestyle, as Almanda and her family endure the devastating loss of their land, forced confinement to reserves, and the generational trauma inflicted by residential schools.

Through its intimate and poignant storytelling, Kukum underscores the enduring significance of Innu ancestral values and the deep connection to freedom felt by nomadic peoples to this day.