This watercolour captures daily life in a First Nations camp on the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River. In the 19th century, the Maliseets, among other nations, frequented this site in summer. The teepees are emblematic of their nomadic lifestyle that followed the cycle of the seasons. In fall, they would leave the riverbanks to hunt inland.

1840 - 1878

Indigenous presence in the second half of the 19th century

In the late 19th century, Indigenous people continued to influence daily life in and around Québec City. The Huron-Wendats lived mainly just north of Québec City in Wendake, known at the time as the “Huron Village.” They fished and hunted in the surrounding lakes and rivers. Members of the Maliseet and Abenaki nations came seasonally to Lévy Point, south of Québec City. The Indigenous presence in the region is reflected in many paintings of this era, including some by the renowned Huron-Wendat artist Zacharie Vincent.

Indigenous village on the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River

WIlliam Henry Barnard This watercolour captures daily life in a First Nations camp on the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River. In the 19th century, the Maliseets, among other nations, frequented this site in summer. The teepees are emblematic of their nomadic lifestyle that followed the cycle of the seasons. In fall, they would leave the riverbanks to hunt inland.

Chronoscope Can you locate this village on the map? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1840

Source: Library and Archives Canada Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Acc. No. R9266-29 - Peter Winkworth Collection of Canadiana - Date: 1840

OPEN