Near the mountain stands the House of Indigenous Peoples, previously called the Native American House. When I arrived, a warm campfire was lit near the entrance.
Inside, Audrey Renaud, who has worked for the museum for several years, welcomed visitors with an Abenaki welcome song to the rhythm of the drum. The group came for a dream catcher making workshop.
Érablière Park
On the same land is an ancestral maple grove that has been preserved today. The places were probably frequented by the First Nations, to collect and process maple sap.
This practice therefore already existed before the arrival of Europeans. An exhibition in one of the rooms of the museum illustrates this.
This duty of remembrance led to the site being recognized as a heritage site in 2008. Thus, the Érablière park, property of the City of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, and the House of Indigenous Peoples are recognized by the Historic Sites and Monuments Commission. from Canada.
The urban maple grove is crossed by two small trails. Along the way, illustrated terminals introduce us to the different varieties of maple and the natural environment. An expedition diary in the form of a quiz makes the hike even more captivating.
Delights and discoveries
After taking the Grand Pic trail, I entered Café Le Mishtan to enjoy an Atikamekw crustless pie, slightly sweetened with maple. With a mulberry bramble herbal tea, it was a delight.
Under the same roof, we discover the shop arousing wonder with its jewellery, its bark baskets or its books. There is something to inspire us for a Christmas gift. Nearby, we continue to follow in the footsteps of the Aboriginal peoples with the exhibition on the origins of maple sap harvesting.
Our foray continues at the Salon Riopelle where works and articles by the artist who frequented the First Nations are on display. In a neighboring room, we linger over the illuminated paintings by Abenaki-Wendat artist Christine Sioui Wawanoloath. It is a dazzling journey into the Aboriginal imagination.
THE HOUSE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
A free corner of nature
No need to book online to go to Michel-Chartrand Regional Park in Longueuil. Publicized for its deer, this green space is very pleasant for a walk. Free access and parking.
►longueuil.quebec/fr/parc-michel-chartrand
A break at the BALNEA spa
After a hike to Mont Gale, in Bromont, you can descend via a path leading to the Nordic baths. While we relax there, we have a superb view of Lake Gale and the surrounding mountains.
►balnea.ca
Alain Demers is the author of the book Rediscovering Quebec: 101 destinations, published by Éditions du Journal.
