Acoutsina facts for kids

Acoutsina (born around 1697 – after 1719) was an Inuit girl from Labrador, Canada. She was captured by a French officer named Augustin le Gardeur de Courtemanche. While she was held captive, she taught her language to François Martel de Brouague, who was Courtemanche's stepson and a French leader in Labrador. Acoutsina also learned French during this time. After a few years, her father, who was a chief, came to the fort and helped her gain her freedom. Historians study records of her time in captivity to learn about the relationships between the French and Indigenous peoples long ago.

Who Was Acoutsina?

It's a bit tricky to know everything about Acoutsina's background. This is because there isn't a lot of detailed information from that time in history. The French used the word "Eskimo" for several groups of Indigenous people in the area. However, experts believe Acoutsina was definitely part of the Inuit people.

They think this for a few reasons:

• Her name translates from the Inuit language.
• She taught the Inuit language to children.
• She showed many Inuit cultural practices.

Acoutsina's father was named Ouibignaro, and he was a chief of the Inuit people. She shared many Inuit customs, stories, and legends with the Europeans she met.

How Acoutsina Was Captured

In the early 1700s, French trading posts were set up along the Strait of Belle Isle. The French hoped to build good relationships with the local Indigenous communities. This was important for the fur trade.

In the fall of 1716, the commander at one of these posts, Augustin Le Gardeur de Courtemanche, met with some Inuit people. He convinced them to return the next spring to trade furs. The Inuit came back in May and set up camp near the fort.

However, Courtemanche tried to force the Indigenous group to trade. He even threatened them. Because of this, the Inuit went back to their boats and shot arrows at the French. The French then grabbed one of the boats. They pulled four people from it, and Acoutsina was one of them.

Life in Captivity

Acoutsina was kept at the fort. She was held there to try and stop Indigenous attacks. About a month after she was captured, de Courtemanche died. His stepson, Brouague, then took over as the fort's commander.

Acoutsina was placed under the care of Courtemanche's wife, Madame Courtemanche. Acoutsina later told other Inuit people that she was always close to Madame Courtemanche. She said Madame Courtemanche protected her from harm.

Acoutsina taught the Inuit language to Brouague. She also helped with daily chores around the fort. We know about Acoutsina from letters that Brouague wrote. In 1718, he wrote that Acoutsina really wanted to go back to her family.

While living at the fort, Acoutsina learned some French. She also shared many Inuit traditions, myths, and legends. She even described how some Europeans had joined the Inuit group. One example was a shipwrecked sailor the Inuit called "good old Nicolas."

Acoutsina's Release

In September 1719, some Inuit people came to Île aux Bois. Brouague went to meet them and brought Acoutsina with him. After the meeting, Acoutsina's father, Ouibignaro, and 30 other Inuit traveled back to the fort with Brouague and Acoutsina. They were invited to a feast.

Inside the fort, Acoutsina showed the Indigenous people parts of the Catholic mass. Ouibignaro then asked for Acoutsina and another girl, who had been captured with her, to be returned to the Inuit people. Brouague agreed to this request. Madame Courtemanche gave Acoutsina gifts and food.

Another Inuit chief, Camerlique, said that Acoutsina and the French should be killed. Acoutsina was very upset by this statement. She was reassured that this would not happen. Instead, the Inuit promised not to stop burning the French fishermen's ships. The fort's chaplain gave Acoutsina a book. This was so she could show her people how much French she had learned. She left with the Inuit people, and there are no more records of her after that time.

Why Acoutsina's Story Matters

After Acoutsina left, she and the Inuit people did not return to the French fort. They continued to destroy French boats.

The records of what Acoutsina said have been very helpful to historians. These records allow them to understand the relationships between the Inuit people and Europeans in the 1700s. Her story gives us a glimpse into a time when different cultures were meeting and sometimes clashing.

See also

• List of people of Newfoundland and Labrador