Kichesipirini

The Kichesipirini ("People of the Great River", "Island Indians") were an Algonquin First Nations in Canada based near the Ottawa River in Quebec.

Kichesipirini
Kichesipirini territory along the Ottawa River drainage in Quebec
Total population
Last historical account was
from the mid-17th century[1]
Languages
A dialect of Northern Algonquin language
Religion
Indigenous religion

Name

The name Kichesipirini translates into English as "men of the great river," for their words kiche (great), sipi (river), and iriniouck (men).[1] Huron people called them Ehonkeronon.[1] They were also known as Algommequin de l'Isle, Héhonqueronon, Honquerons, Kitchesipiiriniouek, and Nation de l'Isle.[1]

The Ottawa River was called Kitchissippi.[2]

Territory

They lived on L'Isle-aux-Allumettes (Allumette Island) along the Ottawa River in Quebec.[1] Their primary village was located on Morrison Island in the Ottawa River, as well their territory was on both sides of the river in Ontario and Quebec, in the Pontiac Regional County Municipality, Quebec, located just to the east of Morrison Island.

History

17th century

They may have been the first Algonquin nation to meet French explorers in the early 17th century. Tessouat (d. 1636), their chief, met Samuel de Champlain in the summer of 1603, and Champlain visited their village again in May 1613.

Because of their position on the river, they were able to charge tolls to French traders and missionaries.[3] Chief Tessouat, noted for having one eye, decided which non-Algonquin people could travel up or down the river.[2]

In 1645, the Kichesipirini and the Hurons entered a peace treaty with the Haudenosaunee; however, the peace was not lasted, and by 1650 they had to flee their homelands.[1] It is unknown where they settled, but likely they joined the Odawa people.[1]

References
  1. White, James; Hodge, Frederick Webb (1913). Handbook of Indians of Canada. Ottawa: C. H. Parmelee. p. 241.
  2. "Champlain's journey of 1613". Ontario Heritage Trust. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  3. "Tessouat (le borgne de l'ile): Grand chief of the Kichesipirini Algonquins and their struggle for control / by A. Ernest Epp". Government of Canada. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
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