The Turtle Clan
Huron Chief -1879
Hurons-Wendat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Language The Huron-Wendat language is part of the Iroquoian linguistic group. This language, which played an historic role in the development of relations between Aboriginal peoples and the first Europeans to arrive in North America, is no longer spoken. Learned by the explorers, the missionaries, and the administrative representatives of the European governments, Huron-Wendat was considered the "lingua franca" of negotiations with the First Peoples, and the source documents that remain from this period have permitted researchers from the Nation to begin working on a project to revive the language.
Total Population
The population of the Huron-Wendat Nation in Quebec is estimated at 2,790 people, with almost 1,100 residents on their territory.
Territories
Originally occupying a vast territory south of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, in what is now Ontario, the Hurons-Wendat had developed a trading empire that covered most of Ontario, more than half of Quebec, and a good portion of the United States. For the first Europeans, they were known as "Hurons" and lived in "Huronie". They called themselves "Wendat" (or "Ouendat") and their territory "Wendake". Today they form one of the most urbanized Nations in Quebec, and their community is located on lands just outside of Quebec City.
Wendake
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Location
The Huron-Wendat community of Wendake, also known as Village-des-Hurons, has, as its territory, a reserve located on the eastern bank of the St. Charles River, 8 km. north of Quebec City. The surface area of Wendake is 112.12 hectares. The Laurentian Autoroute, to the east, and Boulevard Henri IV, followed by Highway 369, to the west, are the main access routes to Wendake. A gravel road network (2,090 meters), a paved road network (7,510 meters), and more than 500 houses are to be found within the territory.
History
Wendake is the only Huron-Wendat community in Canada. They have lived in their present location for more than 300 years. Originally based in Southeastern Ontario, near Georgian Bay, they had developed a trading empire that covered most of Ontario, more than half of Quebec, and a good portion of the United States. Early in the 17th century, after suffering casualties in war, and epidemics amongst their people, a group of 300 Hurons-Wendat took refuge with their French allies in Quebec City. They settled on the Īle d'Orleans, until 1657, when further attacks from their enemies forced them to retreat to the city. Involved in the development of Jesuit missions, in and around the Quebec City area, they moved seven times before settling permanently in Wendake in 1697. Originally known as "Jeune-Lorette", as opposed to the neighboring non-aboriginal community of Ancienne-Lorette, the reserve took on many different names, including "Village-des-Hurons", before finally adopting the name Wendake in 1986. Additional land parcels were added to the territory by the Federal Government in 1958, 1961, 1973 and 1990. The principal language spoken in the community is French (Huron is not spoken anymore).