The Huron-Wendat community of Jeune-Lorette is shown here when Robert Symes was elected honorary Chief. Symes was a British immigrant who served as chief of police in Québec City between 1838 and 1841. In the ceremony depicted in this piece, he is being symbolically adopted and elected honorary Chief by the Huron-Wendat Nation. This ceremony was reserved for non-Indigenous dignitaries whom the community held in great esteem.

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.

Introducing a newly elected Chief to the Huron Council

H. Lynch, after Henry Daniel Thielcke The Huron-Wendat community of Jeune-Lorette is shown here when Robert Symes was elected honorary Chief. Symes was a British immigrant who served as chief of police in Québec City between 1838 and 1841. In the ceremony depicted in this piece, he is being symbolically adopted and elected honorary Chief by the Huron-Wendat Nation. This ceremony was reserved for non-Indigenous dignitaries whom the community held in great esteem.

Chronoscope What comments or thoughts does this image evoke for you? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1841

Source: Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Date: 1841

OPEN