Montagnais

The definition of Montagnais is a Native American Indian tribe from Northern Quebec in Canada.

Facts About the Montagnais

• Many of the current tribe still exist and live in the same area of Quebec today.
• It is commonly believed that the name of Quebec actually came from one of the names given the tribe, Kebik.
• Montagnais speakers refer to their native language as Innu-Aimun. Most Montagnais children can speak their native language.
• The Montagnais tribe were nomadic and moved according to the changing of the seasons.
• The Montagnais tribe depended on the environment to save in a number of ways including for their:

• Food - In the spring, salmon and eel were their main sources of food. In winter they depended on the hunting of both small and large game, such as porcupine, caribou, moose, and elk.

• Clothing - It was typical to see clothing made of buckskin or other animal skins and natural materials.

• Shelter - The Montagnais lived in wigwams and covered the wigwams with animal skins, reeds, mats and bark from trees.

• Transportation - In spring months, the Montagnais relied on canoes crafted from strong trees. In winter, when they were forced to follow the migration of caribou as their main food source, the Montagnais constructed snow shoes using components of the environment.