New theory on Montreal indigenes
A Quebec writer has published a book theorizing that the indigenous group with the most claim on Montreal is the Anishinaabe. Roland Viau thinks that after Jacques Cartier’s crew arrived, either the inhabitants died of European contagions, or they fled westward, possibly explaining why there was no longer any permanent village here when Champlain showed up a century later.
It’s not clear to me why it’s such a hot potato to determine whether the Mohawk, the Huron, the Anishinaabe or some other specific group have a theoretical claim on the island of Montreal. This whole continent was occupied – lightly and sustainably – by many indigenous groups before the Europeans came. There’s no way to be sure what happened on this island between 1535 and 1642 and it doesn’t matter now. What matters is how we behave, as a country, toward the indigenous groups that have survived what Europeans put them through.
EmilyG 11:48 on 2021-10-10 Permalink
I’m not sure if it doesn’t matter now. And I suppose that if non-Indigenous people want to learn more about the Indigenous history of Montreal, they can consult Indigenous groups. Many Indigenous groups have ways of recording/remembering their own history.
The online course “Indigenous Canada” on Coursera, talks a bit about the Indigenous history of Montreal.
steph 12:08 on 2021-10-10 Permalink
Tracing ownership is a pretty “speak white” system. It seems like a lame distraction from the fact that it obviously wasn’t white europeans.
mare 16:11 on 2021-10-10 Permalink
We need to know who to make the cheque to…
dhomas 20:01 on 2021-10-10 Permalink
@Kate still no news from Michael Black? He would usually have something to add on these stories…
Kate 20:23 on 2021-10-10 Permalink
dhomas, I’ve sent Michael Black two brief emails, one in June and one last month, to the only address I have for him. They don’t bounce but he hasn’t replied. The last time he commented here was February 9 of this year.
He had made earlier references to a fairly serious illness, but nothing in his last few comments suggests he thought he was about to be hospitalized again. (Not that he was necessarily going to mention that here.)
All I really know about him is that he used to volunteer for the Fringe Festival, but whether the current organizers would know anything about him, I couldn’t say. I’ve dropped a line to them, or at least an address that’s probably associated with them, and will see what I can find out.
I’ve never knowingly met Michael Black.
Update: Seems he posted on his own page as recently as August.
dhomas 13:25 on 2021-10-11 Permalink
Thanks, Kate. I’m glad to see he’s still around (hopefully), even if he’s not posting here.
Kate 13:55 on 2021-10-11 Permalink
dhomas, I looked back and I don’t think anyone here was rude or offensive. People sometimes just move on.