Étienne Brûlé
By James Heffernan
Citations
http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio.php?id_nbr=95
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/etienne-brule/
http://www.swansea.ca/images/gallery/1-etienne-brule-at-humber.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Great_Lakes_from_space_crop_labeled.jpg
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994020457/PP/
Phrase to describe Étienne Brûlé
Importance to Canadian History
I would describe Étienne Brûlé as being brave, adventurous and adaptive, because he was both brave and adventurous enough to want to go to live with the First Nations without anyone telling him. He was also very adaptive when he lived with the First Nations, having adapted to their customs well.
- first European to see Lakes Erie, Huron, Ontario and Superior
- first European to see the rapids near Sault Ste. Marie
- first European to travel down the Lachine Rapids by canoe near Montreal
- was an interpreter, allowing the French to trade and establish an alliance with the natives
Challenges and Difficulties
- lived with the Huron for a year, experienced, had to spend the winter in the natives territory
- went with some Huron people to raise an army to attack the Iroquois, and had to pass through enemy territory, which was a very dangerous tasks. The job succeed somewhat, but the army came to the desired spot two days late.
- was captured by the Seneca, made up an excuse for the natives to release him
Life Accomplishments
- first Coureur de Bois
- first to see Lakes Erie, Huron, Ontario and Superior
- first to see the rapids at present day Sault Ste Marie
- first to see the rapids near present day Montreal
Personal History
Étienne Brûlé
- lived from approximately 1592 to 1633
- first Coureur de Bois
- an explorer, adventurer and interpreter
- the first European to see Lakes Erie, Huron, Ontario and Superior
- killed likely by the Huron because he was thought to be trading with their enemies