Our relationship with First Nations is one built on trust that we nurture and strengthen every day.
Listening and learning from one another is essential to better understand our respective realities and challenges.
It was in this spirit, and thanks to our partners from the Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam community, that we launched Kapatakan in 2024 to foster meaningful exchanges among our employees.
Kapatakan, which means “portage” in Innu-aimun, embodies our commitment to helping our teams gain a deeper understanding of Innu history and culture.
What is Kapatakan?
At QIO, it’s the name we’ve given to a two-day immersive experience for small groups of about ten people, held directly within the Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam community. Participants visit historical, traditional, and cultural sites, and meet with entrepreneurs, leaders, and community members.
The program includes immersive and educational activities such as:
- Discovering traditional ceremonies and Innu spiritual practices to better understand their significance within the community.
- Participating in interactive sessions on Innu art, its symbolism, and engaging in discussions on political and social issues related to mining activities.
- Exploring key infrastructures and local organizations that support education and professional development within the community.
- Taking part in excursions and storytelling activities to learn about the community’s history, traditional technologies, struggles, and achievements.
We are especially proud of this initiative, which received the AMQ Distinction Award in the Human Resources category in June 2025.
Thank you to the Uashat mak Mani-Utenam community for their warm and generous welcome. Tshinashkumitin.
To read the Radio-Canada Côte-Nord article (in French): Quand Florent Vollant rencontre des cadres de Minerai de fer Québec | Radio-Canada
📸 Tipou Productions