The missions in Huronia

Meanwhile, in July 1634, Jean de Brébeuf is sent to Huronia by Father Lejeune to found a new mission, St-Joseph I, in Toanché, a village he had spent 3 years in between 1626 and 1629. Around 1637, after a rather satisfactory period of evangelization, Brébeuf faced growing resistance from the Huron he blamed on their attachment to traditions, immorality and epidemics. Over the years, prolonged contacts between Europeans and Amerindians had set to the spreading of various diseases that still decimated a growing part of the indigenous populations.

In 1638, Brébeuf founded a new mission, St.Joseph II, in Teanaostaiae. The Huron aversions increased after another small pox epidemic eventually leading to physical and psychological violence. Several converts also renounced to their faith. The Jesuits were even attacked in the spring of 1640. During the uprising, Pierre Boucher was hurt and Brébeuf and Chaumonot beaten. In May, hostilities forced Lalemant back to Quebec City. In spite of all, the missionaries founded two new missions in the autumn of 1640, one with the Algonquians, another with the Neutrals. Brébeuf and Chaumonot went north of the lake Erie to convert the latter. The Huron preceding them had spread rumours about the  black robes. Everywhere they went they faced hostile reactions, were rejected and insulted. This attempt had little results.

In the spring of 1641, on his way back from the mission, Brébeuf felt on and icy lake, broke his collarbone and was sent back to Quebec City. There, he planned expeditions to supply the missionaries with all they needed (paper, books, objects of worship, food, …). In addition to being a procurator, he took care of six young Huron of whom he was the guardian. He was also the confessor and spiritual adviser for the Ursulines and Hospitaliers sisters. In 1642 and 1643, the convoys sent to Huronia were attacked three times by the Iroquois. As the conflict opposing the Iroquois to the Huron intensified, the route between Quebec City and Huronia became so risky even the Huron dare not come to Québec City. Then, the Dutch gave guns to the Iroquois so they could harass the French and their allies, in hope the latter would abandon the colony.

Around 1640, the missionaries were nowhere safe as the situation between Huron and Iroquoians worsened. In 1642, Isaac Jogues, René Goupil and Guillaume Couture are captured by Iroquoians. Jogues body will be found two years later. In 1644, Father Bressani is also captured, tortured and ransomed by the Dutch. The same year, Brébeuf is sent back to Huronia.

On July 4th 1648, the Iroquois attacked St.Joseph and St.Michel while many Huron were gone to trade. About seven hundred prisoners were taken and Father Antoine Daniel was killed. On March 16th 1649, more than a thousand Iroquois attacked St.Ignace (Taenhatentaron), then St.Louis where Brébeuf and Lalemant stayed. Both could have escaped but decided to stay and met the fate of their flocks. They were captured and brought back to St.Ignace where they were welcomed by a hail of rocks and insults. The details of the horrible torture of Jean de Brébeuf were reported by Christophe Regnault, who saw and touched his body.

As the Huron federation dissolved many ran to other nations like the Neutrals, the Erie or Algonquians. On June 14th 1649, the Jesuits burnt down their residence in Ste-Marie-des-Huron and moved with approximately three hundred Huron on St.Joseph Island, on Lake Huron. Their situation deteriorated rapidly because of famine, diseases and constant attacks from the Iroquois. On June 10th 1650, the Huron and the Jesuits went to Quebec City. In 1651, Huron survivors settled on the Orleans Island where under Father Chaumonot's guidance, their number quickly grew to six hundred.

Jean de Brébeuf and seven other Jesuits were canonised in 1930 by Pope Pius XI as the Saint-Martyrs of Canada, celebrated on October 19th. All died in the name of Christian faith during the Huron-Iroquois war. They are Jean de Brébeuf (1649), Saint-Noël-Chabanel (1649), Saint-Antoine-Daniel (1649), Saint-Charles-Garnier (1649), Saint-René-Goupil (1642), Saint-Isaac-Jogues (1646), Saint-Jean-de-Lalande (1649) and Saint-Gabriel-Lalemant (1649).