Etienne Brule

Étienne Brûlé (French pronunciation: ​[etjɛn bʁyle]; c. 1592 – c. June 1633) was the first European explorer to journey beyond the St. Lawrence River in what is today Canada. Taking on the lifestyle of the First Nations peoples, particularly the Hurons, Brûlé became an interpreter and guide for Samuel de Champlain, who later sent Brûlé on a number of exploratory missions. Among his many travels were explorations of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, as well as the Humber River watershed in today's Toronto. In 1629, during the Anglo-French War, he betrayed his friend and patron. Not long after, Brûlé was killed and eaten by the Bear tribe of the Huron people.

Brûlé was born c. 1592 in Champigny-sur-Marne, France. Brûlé has not left any recollection or description of his early life, his life among the indigenous peoples, or of his expeditions. Therefore, his existence has been viewed through the works of Champlain, Sagard, and Brébeuf.

Champlain wrote of a youth who had been living in New France since 1608, and whom many believe to have been young Brûlé. In June 1610, Brûlé told Champlain that he wished to go and live with the Algonquins and learn their language as well as better understand their customs and habits. Champlain made the arrangement to do so and in return, the chief Iroquet (an Algonquin leader of the Petite nation who wintered his people near Huronia), requested that Champlain take Savignon, a young Huron, with him to teach him the customs and habits of the French. Champlain instructed Brûlé to learn the Huron language, explore the country, establish good relations with all Indian nations, and report back in one year’s time with all that he had learned. On June 13, 1611, Champlain returned to visit Brûlé, who astonishingly had done all that Champlain had asked of him. Brûlé was dressed as though he was one of the indigenous people and was extremely pleased with the way he was treated and all that he had learned. Champlain requested that Brûlé continue to live among the Indigenous peoples so that he could fully master everything, and Brûlé agreed.

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