Brule to arrive in Huronia - Oct. 16 Orillia, Oct. 17 Midland

We have been notified via the moccasin telegraph that Brule will be arriving with Chief Iroquet and his people within the next week and a half. Iroquet has set off from his Algonquin homeland in the lower Ottawa valley for the fall hunt and plans to follow through to winter with the Rock Nation of the Wendat somewhere near the Narrows at the current city of Orillia. Iroquet will be accompanied by Champlain's young servant Etienne Brule.

We have responded to this notice and have arranged for a couple of receptions for the earliest European tourist to visit our region.

The first event will be held at the foot of the Champlain monument in Orillia shortly after 1:00 PM on Saturday October 16th.

The second event will be hosted by the Huronia Museum in the Huron/Wendat Native village longhouse in Midland shortly after 1:00 PM Sunday October 17th. 

As the museum will be open during this event those wishing to attend will be required to pay the normal admission fee at the gate unless Jamie can secure a special deal for members of the Huronia Chapter.

Come and help celebrate the 400th anniversary of Brule's arrival and raise the awareness of the local community to its rich history.

Etienne Brule came to New France as a teenager in the employ of Samuel de Champlain.  He volunteered to go and live with the natives to learn their language and customs.  He lived among the Hurons for most of the rest of his life.  He is the first European to visit Huronia and is believed to be the first European to see all of the Great Lakes. Sadly he left no written record of his travels and experiences.  Our view of him is only through the writings of Champlain, Sagard, and Brebeuf.  The picture portrayed of him in the Jesuit Relations is not especially flattering and has sadly coloured much of the subsequent history of this early explorer.

The Brule events are sponsored by the Ontario Archaeological Society’s Huronia Chapter and the Huronia Museum.

Orillia Program Details

Draft

Brule reception - Orillia – Champlain monument – Saturday October 16^th 1PM

(background  - drum and 17^th century flute music (Marg & Laura Bolton from Orillia Folk Society)

MC – John Raynor

1:00 PM – flag ceremony and greetings to Brule (various flags presented & tied to common pole)

 1 – Rama – welcome to their traditional territory (Rama Chief or designate)

 2 – Wendat – welcome to their ancient homeland (statement from Grand Chief of Wendake, flag presented by Adrian)

3 – The Crown – welcome to Brule as intrepid explorer of Canadian frontier.(Bruce Stanton MP)

4 – The Province – welcome Brule as Ontario’s first foreign visitor. (Garfield Dunlop MPP

5 - City of Orillia – welcome Brule as Orillia’s first tourist. (Mayor or designate

6 – Metis Nation - welcome Brule with statement re birth of a new Nation (Marg Raynor or designate from MNO.) – followed by a Voyager song by Marg.

7 – Brule (Quebec flag) as a gift to his hosts.

1:30 PM – feature – Brule scripted interview – Hugh Barnett

2:00 PM – song – “Earth Beneath Our Feet” – as segue into archaeology. (Brule interviewed by Packet & Times as this goes on.

2:15 PM – Importance of archaeology as the forensic science of history – Orillia’s obligation to identify, set aside and protect these sites as icons of it’s ancient past and rich history. Intro of Champlain project and 2015 anniversary (John Raynor)

2:25 PM – Thanks- you for attendance & invite to inquire further (Huronia Chapter pamphlet) – wish Brule well on his 12 leagues or 48 km trip to Midland. – flags would be retired at this time.

This is a tentative schedule and some minor changes may take place on the day.

Further reading:  
Etienne Brule, Immortal Scoundrel, by James Herbert Cranston 1949, is the key book available about Brule.