Ahatsistari facts for kids

Eustache Ahatsistari (born around 1602 – died August 19, 1642) was a brave Huron warrior. He is remembered for becoming a Catholic and for his death at the hands of the Iroquois. Ahatsistari was captured in 1642 along with St. Isaac Jogues and other Huron prisoners. He was tortured and then died. He is important because he became a Christian and played a role in the lives of early French missionaries in North America.

A Warrior's Life

Ahatsistari was born in 1602. His village was called Teanostaiae, also known as St. Joseph. In 1639, he asked to be baptized. However, he was not baptized at first. This was because he did not follow all the practices of the Jesuit missionaries.

He was finally baptized on April 4, 1642. He was given the Christian name Eustache.

Ahatsistari was known as a very strong warrior. In the summer of 1640, he showed great courage. He led a successful attack on a group of Iroquois canoes. His companions wanted to give up, but he kept going. In 1641, Ahatsistari led 50 Huron warriors. They fought against 300 Iroquois. The Huron warriors captured some of the Iroquois.

Capture and Death

On August 2, 1642, Ahatsistari led a group of 40 Huron warriors. They were helping French missionaries travel. They were going from Trois-Rivières to Ste. Marie. The group found tracks made by Iroquois warriors. Ahatsistari believed the Iroquois group was smaller than theirs. As they continued, the entire group was captured. This included Jesuit missionaries René Goupil and Isaac Jogues. The Iroquois held them captive. They were hurt over several days.

The captives were taken through Iroquois villages. Villagers hit them with sticks and iron rods. In each village, they were tied to a platform. People threw burning coals and ashes at them. The Iroquois removed both of Ahatsistari's thumbs. They put sharpened sticks into his wounds. After several days of this pain, Ahatsistari and two other Hurons were chosen to die. Ahatsistari was taken to Tionondogen. He was burned to death and then beheaded.

His Legacy

Ahatsistari is an important person in the story of St. Isaac Jogues. He is also important to the story of the martyr René Goupil. He is seen as one of the most successful examples of Native Americans becoming Catholic. St. Isaac Jogues and René Goupil were tortured by their Iroquois captors. Because of this, the Catholic church made them saints. Ahatsistari was not a priest, so he has not been recognized as a saint by the Catholic church.

Ahatsistari was a respected warrior and a role model for Huron men. His decision to become a Christian inspired many others in his tribe to convert. After he died, several of his friends became Christians. They hoped to be reunited with Ahatsistari after their own deaths. It is also likely that many of these converts, including Ahatsistari, were motivated by another reason. The Jesuits would give them more access to firearms. This would make them better warriors. It would also make their tribe stronger.