The Start of New France - A Frenchman Amongst the Huron - Canada A People's History

00:05:13
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yasdjpILnto

Summary

TLDRThe video recounts the early exploration and trade between French explorers and the Huron tribe in North America, focusing on Etienne Brule, who became the first Frenchman to travel to Huron territory. Brule's successful mission established vital trading relations that allowed the French to exchange goods for beaver skins, a highly valued resource. The trade significantly benefited both the Huron, who gained wealth and power, and the French settlers in Quebec, enhancing their economic prospects. Champlain's later visit in 1615 shed light on the sophisticated structure of Huron society, revealing a thriving population and complex living arrangements.

Takeaways

  • 🌊 Great lakes and rivers connect Quebec to the Huron land.
  • 👦 Etienne Brule was just 18 years old during his first expedition.
  • 🤝 A trade alliance formed between the French and the Huron.
  • 🎖️ Brule adapted to Huron culture and learned their language.
  • 📦 The trade in beaver skins became significant for Quebec.
  • 💰 Huron tribes reported increased wealth and power from trade.
  • 🏘️ Huron society included 18 villages with around 30,000 inhabitants.
  • 🛖 Longhouses housed multiple families and communal living spaces.
  • 📈 Quebec's trading post received 15,000 beaver skins annually.
  • 🗺️ Exploration extended into the heart of the continent, strengthening ties.

Timeline

  • 00:00:00 - 00:05:13

    The narrative begins with a description of the vast network of lakes and rivers connecting Quebec to Huron territory. At the center of this exploration is Urania, where a young Frenchman, Etienne Brule, arrives as a survivor of the harsh winter of 1609. Sent by Champlain to the Huron in exchange for a young man, he uses his time to explore the area, learning about the local tribes and culture, particularly focusing on persuading the Huron to trade their beaver skins with the French in Quebec. After a period of immersion in Huron life, Brule plans to return to Quebec. His journey results in a successful mission as he returns with valuable knowledge about Huron customs and language, significantly altering his identity. Following Brule's example, other young French explorers venture into the western territories, leading to a booming trade in beaver skins that enriches both the French and the Huron economy. In 1615, Champlain visits Huronia himself, uncovering a sophisticated society with numerous villages and a rich culture embodied in their communal living arrangements of cabins with multiple families.

Mind Map

Video Q&A

  • Who was Etienne Brule?

    Etienne Brule was the first Frenchman to travel to Huron territory and is noted for his exploration and establishment of trade relations.

  • What was the main purpose of Brule's mission?

    Brule's mission was to secure an alliance with the Huron and encourage them to trade beaver skins with the French.

  • How did the Huron benefit from the trade?

    The Huron gained wealth and power from the trade, as the beaver skins were valuable for making various goods.

  • What did Champlain learn about Huron society?

    Champlain discovered that Huron society was complex, with up to 30,000 inhabitants living in 18 villages.

  • What was the impact of Brule's journeys on Quebec?

    Brule's journeys helped Quebec's trading post receive 15,000 beaver skins annually.

  • How did the Huron live?

    The Huron lived in longhouses made of bark with multiple families sharing space.

  • What year did Champlain visit Huronia?

    Champlain visited Huronia in 1615.

  • What did the beaver provide the Huron?

    The beaver provided materials for kettles, hatchets, knives, and other essential goods.

  • What were Brule's impressions of the Huron?

    Brule was well pleased with the treatment he received and learned their language and ways.

  • What trading relationship developed between the French and Huron?

    A mutually beneficial trading relationship developed, with the French receiving furs and the Huron gaining goods.

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Subtitles
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  • 00:00:07
    [Music]
  • 00:00:13
    a great
  • 00:00:13
    network of lakes and rivers the arteries
  • 00:00:16
    of the continent
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    links quebec to the land of the huron
  • 00:00:24
    it takes a month of travel to reach a
  • 00:00:27
    tranquil valley by the shores of a great
  • 00:00:29
    lake
  • 00:00:29
    [Music]
  • 00:00:33
    this is urania
  • 00:00:41
    the first frenchman to go there is just
  • 00:00:43
    18 years old
  • 00:00:45
    atn brule is one of the survivors of the
  • 00:00:48
    terrible winter of 1609.
  • 00:00:53
    a year later champlain sends him to the
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    huron
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    in exchange for one of their young men
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    this is another building block of their
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    alliance
  • 00:01:05
    i was forced to stay all winter waiting
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    for company an escort
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    i took this opportunity to explore the
  • 00:01:13
    country and to visit
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    the neighboring tribes
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    brule is welcomed taught the huron
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    language and way of life
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    his most important task is to convince
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    the huron to bring their beaver skins to
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    the trading post to quebec
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    each spring
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    [Music]
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    after having spent some time with these
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    savages
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    i determined to withdraw to our
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    settlement
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    and taking leave of them i promised to
  • 00:02:03
    introduce them to the french
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    i would return as soon as i could
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    [Music]
  • 00:02:25
    etienne brule's commercial mission is a
  • 00:02:27
    success
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    but he will return from hironia a
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    different man
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    on the 13th of june 200
  • 00:02:41
    indians brought back etienne brudy who
  • 00:02:44
    came back
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    dressed like an indian he was well
  • 00:02:48
    pleased with the treatment he had
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    received
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    he explained to me all that he had seen
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    during the winter
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    and what he had learned from them he had
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    learned their language
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    very well
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    other young men follow him duvernay
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    jean-nicolet
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    [Music]
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    guided by their indian allies they
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    travel through the lakes and rivers
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    learning more about the lands to the
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    west the trading system of the huron and
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    the french
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    now reaches into the heart of the
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    continent
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    before long the little outpost at quebec
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    is
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    receiving 15 000 beaver skins a year
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    the indians are satisfied too a montagne
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    boasts that trade makes them wealthy
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    and more powerful the beaver
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    does everything perfectly well for us
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    it makes kettles hatchets
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    shorts knives in short
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    it makes everything
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    [Music]
  • 00:04:16
    in 1615 champlain visits huronia
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    discovering a complex and fascinating
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    society
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    [Music]
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    in this extent of country there are
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    18 villages which may amount to
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    30 000 souls
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    their ledges are covered with three bark
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    and at the end of these cabins is a
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    space
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    where they keep their indian corn
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    in one such cabin there could be as much
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    as 12
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    fires and 24 families
  • 00:05:08
    [Music]
  • 00:05:13
    you
Tags
  • Etienne Brule
  • Huron Tribe
  • Champlain
  • Quebec
  • Beaver Trade
  • Early Explorers
  • Indigenous Alliances
  • 17th Century
  • French History
  • North America