| Champlain’s Lake Journey |
 Marge Bruchac, Abenaki historian and storyteller and Jay Craven, festival producerThe 2009 Burlington International Waterfront festival marks the 400th anniversary of the expedition by French explorer Samuel de Champlain to the waters now known as “Lake Champlain.” The land around the lake was, of course, inhabited for more than 12,000 years before any European ever set foot there. Abenaki oral traditions—earthshaper stories—describe the formation of the lake which was called “Bitawbakw”—“the waters in-between”—that’s the Abenaki name for the great inland water. Champlain traveled here from Québec to help cement an alliance between regional indigenous groups and the fledgling colony of New France. He made the journey with Algonquin, Huron, and Montagnais warriors, to participate in a battle with the Iroquois. Champlain’s dealings with Native peoples were not limited to the skirmish on the lake that bears his name. In 1603, Champlain conveyed two Montagnais ambassadors to and from France, where they met with the King. A few years later, he established a trading post system with indigenous groups, to build what became a prosperous fur trade for the French. By 1609, Champlain came to realize that survival in Indian Country required more than just trading in furs. To build lasting alliances with Native nations, he would have to keep security promises made, six years earlier, to Montagnais leaders. Champlain’s voyage showed that he would deliver on his word. In his recent book titled Champlain’s Dream, historian David Hackett Fischer describes his view that Champlain was unique among European explorers because he cooperated with indigenous people and believed natives to be intellectually equal to Europeans. But he also assumed that he could rule and colonize them with his superior religion. Fischer writes that Champlain was shocked by his visits to Spanish colonies, making vivid paintings of Indians burned alive by the inquisition, beaten by priests for not attending Mass, and exploited as forced laborers. He declared to the King that New France would foster a different model “where people lived at peace with others unlike themselves.” Champlain reported a prophetic dream on July 28th wherein he “saw the Iroquois, our enemies, in the lake, near a mountain, drowning within our sight.” When he woke up, the native chiefs asked him to tell his dream, taking strength and confidence from it. Champlain’s allies paddled to the western side of the lake, near Ticonderoga, where they built barricades and arrayed themselves in battle formation, in full view of the Iroquois. They asked their enemies if they wanted to fight and the Iroquois replied that indeed they did but preferred to wait until morning. The whole night was then spent in revelry, on both sides. At dawn, 60 Montagnais men paddled to shore and ran towards an army of more than 200 Iroquois. When Champlain in his steel body armor emerged from behind the Montagnais, the Iroquois paused, staring at the strangeness of his dress. Champlain took aim with his arquebuse and felled three chiefs; two were killed on the spot, and a third died shortly after. The Montagnais won their battle but a new kind of warfare had been introduced, from which there was no turning back. Years later, peace agreements were forged between these warring tribes—and today many remember the “waters in-between,” not for these battles but for the legend and spirit of Odzihozo—“one who made himself out of dust”— the spirit that dwells underwater, who pushed up the land on either side of this magnificent lake, shaping the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains, and dragging his fingers down their sides, carving out the valleys and rivers. Champlain’s voyage south included dozens of French soldiers and four hundred allied warriors. But his heavy two-masted French shallops couldn’t navigate the Richelieu River’s rapids and all but two of the French soldiers returned home, daunted by the prospect of war with the Iroquois. Many Indians also turned back. A force of 400 warriors dwindled to only 60 men in 24 canoes.  “I would go to the war with them in their canoes,” wrote Champlain. “I would not fail to keep my word to them, even if I went alone.” Champlain reported a prophetic dream on July 28th wherein he “saw the Iroquois, our enemies, in the lake, near a mountain, drowning within our sight.” When he woke up, the native chiefs asked him to tell his dream, taking strength and confidence from it. Champlain’s allies paddled to the western side of the lake, near Ticonderoga, where they built barricades and arrayed themselves in battle formation, in full view of the Iroquois. They asked their enemies if they wanted to fight and the Iroquois replied that indeed they did but preferred to wait until morning. The whole night was then spent in revelry, on both sides. At dawn, 60 Montagnais men paddled to shore and ran towards an army of more than 200 Iroquois. When Champlain in his steel body armor emerged from behind the Montagnais, the Iroquois paused, staring at the strangeness of his dress. Champlain took aim with his arquebuse and felled three chiefs; two were killed on the spot, and a third died shortly after. The Montagnais won their battle but a new kind of warfare had been introduced, from which there was no turning back. Years later, peace agreements were forged between these warring tribes—and today many remember the “waters in-between,” not for these battles but for the legend and spirit of Odzihozo—“one who made himself out of dust”— the spirit that dwells underwater, who pushed up the land on either side of this magnificent lake, shaping the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains, and dragging his fingers down their sides, carving out the valleys and rivers. |