“We no jaha we no jaha .. hinooo … weee no jaha we no jaha hinooo …”
Even today, the melody of a Quebec indigenous song still echoes in my ears. A legend, told by the proud tribal members of the “Wolf Clan”, describes the mythical transformation of a superhuman son and his return as thunder roll during winter time. And winter can be long in the Canadian state of Québec: snow shoes in all sizes and variations bear witness to this; snow shoes for women, men, children, snow shoes for firm snow, for loose snow, or spring snow. Even in the church, snowshoes proudly hang over the altar, along with the Mother of God, some beaver skins and drums of the native Quebec people.
Québec in Eastern Canada: For one week, we have been experiencing the fascinating diversity of the country’s original culture, the “First Nations” of Québec.
Check out the following video to get started:
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duOJFny68Nw” width=”800″]
In it, you will see and hear traditional folk songs and traditions, but also modern approaches of the charismatic native inhabitants of Quebec. The dream of the Wendake nation, a tribal reserve close to the metropolis of Québec, is to look at cultural tourism as an opportunity to convey traditional values and modern lifestyles of the local people living there. Two top destinations speak of this development: The “Hôtel Musée Premières Nations” (don’t forget that in this part of Canada French, pardon, Québecois! is spoken) and the cultural centre “Site traditionnel Huron-Wendat“. Here, you can really find out what makes the culture of Canada so special.
Arriving at the “Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations” in Québec …
… with many native art details in our rooms …
… as well as in the hotel lobby …
… joining right up with the Huron-Wendat cultural museum, a must-see when visiting this part of Canada, or Québec …
… later that day, Samuel, of the Innu people, talks to us about traditional ways of life and early-day farming …
… part of which is tasting that way of life: Bean, corn and squash we learn has always been planted (and eaten) together, like in this delicious hearty soup here …
… at the “Longhouse”, we learn that a good dozen families have once slept in here …
… again, Samuel introducing us to a “Myths & Storytelling” evening, explaining even more about the culture of the Huron-Wendat nation in Canada …
… and did I promise too much? Here, you can really see the church altar with all its native art decor!
Check out Restaurant La Sagamité in Wendake, right up close to the “Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations” for a real taste of First Nation art and cuisine …
… the hotel, too, offers fine dining at its restaurant “La Traite” …
… altogether, many new experiences and cultural learning curves for us during these first few days in Québec!
Of course, you can also experience creative travel here. Among others, we have made our own “medicine wheels” with Brian …
… first enjoying a kayak trip by a nearby river, where Brian tells us an amusing story about the origin of the world according to local First Nation belief. Their main actors are not God, or his (human) representatives on earth. They are the turtle, the otter, and – the star of the story – the toad, which is regarded as the hero and saviour of the world, a world that will one day be populated by humans, animals and plants. It is that same story we have been told continuously throughout our trip in Québec. Wonderful.
“Hands-on”: Our cultural trip through Québec …
… on water …
… on land …
… as well as walking on traditional land …
… has led us to learn more about the local First Nation people than we ever thought, including the making (and significance) of this little medicine wheel here …
… thank you, Brian, for teaching us this and many more traditions at the cultural centre “Site traditionnel Huron”.
Québec, we’ll definitely be back! The journey to Québec from Europe is not that long, either: For example, it is only a good seven hours flight time from Paris to Montréal, from there another two hours by bus to Québec city. And the people are definitely worth your visit! I will have more exciting stories from the northeast of Canada in my next article, when we start to explore the vast countryside of the province Québec.
Disclaimer: We have been hosted on this trip around Québec by “Aboriginal Tourism Québec”. All opinions are my own.