This photograph captures author and journalist André-Napoléon Montpetit wearing a traditional Indigenous headdress. He was made honorary Huron Chief and named Ahatsistari. Editor of the L’Opinion publique newspaper starting in 1870, he published the Histoire des Hurons de Lorette, after forming a special bond with the nation. He died in Montréal in 1898.

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.

Ahatsistari (André-Napoléon Montpetit), honorary Huron Chief

Ellisson & Co. (George William Ellisson) This photograph captures author and journalist André-Napoléon Montpetit wearing a traditional Indigenous headdress. He was made honorary Huron Chief and named Ahatsistari. Editor of the L’Opinion publique newspaper starting in 1870, he published the Histoire des Hurons de Lorette, after forming a special bond with the nation. He died in Montréal in 1898.

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Depicted period: 1878

Source: Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Date: 1878

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