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Étienne
Brűlé
(c. 1592-1633):
The First Coureur de Bois
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Étienne
Brûlé left his home in France and set sail for the
new colony Quebec at the age of 16. Champlain sent him to live
among the Huron
people in 1610. He learned their language and their customs. This
helped the colonist learn to understand their Huron neighbours.
Brûlé
was an excellent scout, or pathfinder. He went on many expeditions
for Champlain and the fur traders. He explored the land west of
Quebec. He had to travel through uncharted wilderness. He learned
how to survive from the First
Nations peoples.
Brûlé
later left the colony and returned to live with the Huron people.
He lived with them for over 20 years. He became a great disappointment
to Champlain. When the British captured Quebec in 1629, Champlain
believed that it was Brûlé who had guided them up the
St. Lawrence River. Brûlé was viewed as a traitor.
The Huron people killed him a few years later. Champlain said he
would not seek justice for the death of a traitor.
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What
do you think Brűlé's most important accomplishment was?
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