Stadacona

Stadacona, Iroquoian village located at the present site of QUÉBEC CITY, had an estimated population of about 500. Jacques CARTIER was led to the village on his second voyage in 1535 and wintered at a safe distance, across the St-Charles River. In midwinter more than 50 Stadaconans died, likely of European diseases to which they had no immunity, and 25 French died of scurvy before the natives provided them with a cure - a potion made from fronds of white cedar. Cartier unwittingly offended the Stadaconans by establishing a base without their permission and by travelling upriver to HOCHELAGA. He kidnapped DONNACONA, his two sons and seven others and returned to France, but all except a young girl perished before Cartier returned to Stadacona in 1541. He established a second base at Cap Rouge, upstream from Stadacona, but increasing hostility and his belief that he had found gold and diamonds prompted his retreat. Jean-François ROBERVAL arrived at Stadacona shortly after and though relations with the natives improved, he abandoned the fledgling colony. By the time the French returned to the site in 1603, the Stadaconans and the St Lawrence Iroquoians had vanished. Various theories about their fate have been put forward: that they were driven out by the INNU (MONTAGNAIS-NASKAPI) and ALGONQUIN; that they suffered poor harvests brought on by climatic changes; that they succumbed to European diseases; that they were dispersed by the southern IROQUOIS, eg, the Mohawk.

There is some evidence that refugees from Stadacona and Hochelaga were adopted by the HURON. By Samuel de CHAMPLAIN's time, the St Lawrence Valley was a no-man's-land travelled only by war parties of the Montagnais and Iroquoians.

Author JAMES MARSH

Links to Other Sites
Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge
The website for the Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge, which features Canada's largest essay writing competition for Aboriginal youth (ages 14-29) and a companion program for those who prefer to work through painting, drawing and photography. See their guidelines, teacher resources, profiles of winners, and more. From the Historica-Dominion Institute.

Jacques Cartier
Watch the Heritage Minute about French explorer Jacques Cartier from the Historica-Dominion Institute. See also related online learning resources.

Four Directions Teachings
Elders and traditional teachers representing the Blackfoot, Cree, Ojibwe, Mohawk, and Mi’kmaq share teachings about their history and culture. Animated graphics visualize each of the oral teachings. This website also provides biographies of participants, transcripts, and an extensive array of learning resources for students and their teachers. In English with French subtitles.