Tooker] 



ETHNOGRAPHY OF THE HURON 19 



THE ALGONQUIN 



Algonquin were scattered on all sides, both to the north and south 

 of Lake Huron (JR 16: 253). On the south shore of Lake Huron 

 lived the Ouachaskesouek, Nigouaouichirinik, Outaouasinagouek, 

 Kichkagoneiak, and Ontaanak — allies of the Huron. Farther toward 

 the west lived the Ouchaouanag, who were part of the Nation of Fire, 

 and the Ondatouatandy and the Ouinipegong, who were part of the 

 Nation of the Puants (JR 33: 151). On the eastern and northern 

 shores of Lake Huron lived the Algonquin tribes — Outaouakami- 

 gouek, Sakahiganiriouik, Aouasanik, Atchougue, Amikouek, Achi- 

 rigouans, Nikikouek, Michisaguek, and Paouitagoung (JR 33: 149). 



The Nipissiriniens [called by the Huron, Askikwanehronons (JR 

 21: 239)] lived 70 or 80 leagues from the Huron, on a small lake of 

 about 80 leagues in circumference on the route to Quebec ( JR 33 : 153) . 



Various Algonquin groups were allies of the Huron. Some of these 

 Algonquins wintered with the Huron (JR 13: 191; 14: 7; 20: 39-41, 

 97; 21: 143; 23: 19; 26: 301; 27: 53-55; 83: 153) and they seem to 

 have come in numbers. In April of 1637, the Bissiriniers returned 

 to their country after the ice had broken and the lake was opened, 

 carrying with them in seven canoes the 70 bodies of those who had 

 died while wintering among the Huron (JR 14: 37; cf. JR 13: 211). 

 In the winter of 1623-24, the Epicerinys ["Sorcerers," so named 

 because of their many medicine men who talked with spirits "in little 

 round towers isolated and apart" which they built in order to receive 

 oracles [probably a reference to "shaking tents"] (S 64)] camped in 

 Huronia. They knew the Huron langiiage although the Huron did 

 not know theirs. They told the Recollets that they traded once a year 

 with a nation a month's or 6 weeks' journey by land, lake, and 

 river. Certain other people, having no beard or hair on their head, 

 also traded with them, coming by sea in great wooden ships laden 

 with such goods as "axes shaped like the tail of a partridge, leggings 

 with shoes attached but as flexible as a glove, and many other things, 

 which they exchanged for furs" (S 86-87) . 



As did other Huron allies, the Algonquin felt free to join the Huron 

 in times of trouble; for example, one group of Algonqum came 

 to live near the Huron when forced to abandon its country on the 

 banks of the river (JR 27: 37). In at least one case, an Algonquin 

 was raised from infancy among the Huron (JR 13 : 139). The latter 

 also might go to live with the Algonquin, as in the case in which some 

 Hurons took refuge with some Algonquins to escape the Iroquois 

 (JR30:87). 



2* Only the material that pertains to the relationship between the Algonquin and the 

 Huron has been included here. There is, of course, much ethnographic material on the 

 Algonquin in the Jesuit Relations. 



