Kondiaronk died in Montréal just two days before the signing of the Great Peace of 1701. And yet his signature, a muskrat, appears on the peace treaty. Most likely another Huron chief put it there on his behalf. Kondiaronk was a highly respected Huron chief of the Great Lakes Region.

He was also one of the most important peacemakers of his time. We know that he had been known to the French for a long time because his name appeared in a French document from 1682. He had participated in several diplomatic meetings.
Kondiaronk believed that the time had come for the Native nations allied with the French to make peace with the Iroquois Five Nations. But not everyone agreed with him. Thanks to his skills as a chief, he managed to convince other nations in the Great Lakes Region to join in the Great Peace.

Kondiaronk was honoured with a grand funeral. As a sign of respect, he was buried in the Notre-Dame church, the city’s most important church.

Aboriginal tribe signatures
Muskrat

Author: Service national du Récit de l’univers social

This page is also available in: Français