Donnacona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donnacona
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Meeting of Jacques Cartier and Donnacona. Postcard of butter sculpture tableau, Franco-British Exhibition, London, 1908.
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| Born |
Canada
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| Died | c. 1539 |
| Other names | Chief of Stadacona |
| Known for | First Nations chief being taken to France by Jacques Cartier |
Chief Donnacona was an important leader of the St. Lawrence Iroquoians. He was the chief of the village of Stadacona. This village was located where Quebec City is today in Canada.
Donnacona met the French explorer Jacques Cartier during his voyages to North America. Cartier took Donnacona to France. Donnacona was treated well there, but he died in France around 1539.
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Jacques Cartier's First Journey
Jacques Cartier made three trips to the land we now call Canada. His first journey was in 1534. In July of that year, he and his crew met about 200 people fishing near Gaspé Bay.
Cartier's men put up a tall cross, which surprised the local leader. After giving some gifts, Cartier left the next day. He took two men, Domagaya and Taignoagny, with him back to France. Some people believe these men were Donnacona's sons. They also think Donnacona himself was the leader of the fishing group. However, old reports from the 1500s do not clearly say this.
Cartier's Second Journey
Cartier's second journey started on May 19, 1535. He had taken Domagaya and Taignoagny to France. Now, he used them as guides. They showed him the way into the Saint Lawrence River. They also guided him up the river to L'Isle-aux-Coudres. From there, they went to Stadacona, Donnacona's main village.
Cartier called Donnacona "Agohanna." This is an Iroquoian word for chief. During this trip, Cartier also traveled further up the St. Lawrence River. He went to Hochelaga, which is now Montreal. This happened on October 2, 1535. Domagaya and Taignoagny did not go with him. Their chief stopped them from going.
The French spent the winter in Canada. During this time, relations between the French and the St. Lawrence Iroquoians became difficult. Twenty-five French sailors died from scurvy over the winter.
In the spring, Cartier decided to take Chief Donnacona to France. He wanted Donnacona to tell the King about a land further north. This land was called the "Kingdom of Saguenay." People said it was full of gold, rubies, and other treasures.
Donnacona's Trip to France
In May 1536, Cartier took Chief Donnacona. He also took nine other people from the tribe, including Domagaya and Taignoagny. The journey down the St. Lawrence River was hard. Then, they had a three-week trip across the Atlantic Ocean.
Donnacona and the others arrived in Saint-Malo, France, on July 15, 1536. This marked the end of Cartier's second voyage.
Donnacona was treated well in France. The king paid for his care. Cartier had promised to bring Donnacona back in 12 months. However, Donnacona died in France around 1539. Almost all the other Iroquoians also died. Only a little girl survived, but her story is unknown.
The stories from these First Nations visitors made the French eager to explore the New World. They were excited by tales of the golden "Kingdom of Saguenay".
Cartier returned to the new land in May 1541 for his third voyage. He did not bring back any of the people he had taken to France. That journey lasted until his return in May 1542.
Donnacona's Legacy
Donnacona is remembered today. A town on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River is named after him. This town, Donnacona, Quebec, is about 30 miles (48 km) west of Quebec City. It is located where the Saint Lawrence and Jacques-Cartier Rivers meet.
In 1981, the Canadian government recognized Donnacona as a National Historic Person. A special plaque honors him. It is located at the Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site in Québec City.
There is also a naval reserve unit called HMCS Donnacona. It is located in Montreal.
Images for kids
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Route of Cartier's second voyage.
