1. Relations with the French

2. Conflicts and the Scattering of the People

3. Sacred Places

4. Contemporary Weskarini

5. References

Also known as Wàwàckeciriniwak ("people of the deer[-clan]"), the Algonquian Proper, La Petite Nation, Little Nation, Ouaouechkairini, Ouassouarini, Ouescharini, Ouionontateronon (Wyandot language), or Petite Nation. They have been confused with the Petun in some writings, but are in fact a separate group. Their traditional homeland is located on the north side of the Ottawa River along the Lievre River and the Rouge River in Quebec. They also lived near Petite-Nation River which is so named in reference to the Weskarini.

The Weskarini had good trade relations with the Wyandot (Huron) in their region before and during the early colonial period.^[1]

Relations with the French

At the time of first contact with French settlers, the Weskarini traded at the mouths of the St. Maurice, Dumoine, and Gatineau Rivers.^[2] Initially allied with the French during the early colonial period,^[3] many Weskarini intermarried with French settlers.

Conflicts and the Scattering of the People

The Weskarini were also allied with the Arendahronon (Rock Tribe/Clan) Huron. These groups often wintered together,^[4] and both groups engaged in conflicts with the Iroquois. Many Weskarini eventually moved to Trois-Rivières to seek help from the Jesuits. The Jesuits offered protection only to those who converted to Catholicism. During a major Iroquois offensive in 1652, the main band of Weskarini fled north from the Ottawa River. Many were massacred near their sacred Mont Tremblant, deep inside their ancestral territory.^[5]

Sacred Places

Contemporary Weskarini

Today, many Weskarini descendants (some of whom primarily consider themselves Metis, others identifying as Weskarini) work to rebuild their knowledge of the Algonquin language and shared cultural identity. Some contemporary Weskarini express concerns over the ongoing development of sacred Manitonga Soutana, the destruction of land and water in unceded territory, and the appropriation and trademarking of the Weskarini name by developers in the area.

References

• River Tove
• River Township, MN
• River Township, Red Lake County, Minnesota
• River Trent
• River Truro
• River Trym
• River Tummel
• River Tweed
• River Tyburn
• River Tyne
• River Tyne (disambiguation)
• River Tyne, Scotland
• River Tywi
• River Túria
• River Ulhas
• River Upper Great Stour
• River Ure
• River Usk
• River Ussuri
• River Usumacinta
• River Vale
• Rivervale
• River Vale, New Jersey
• River Vale, NJ
• River Vale Township, New Jersey