Hochelaga (village)

Long, long ago, even before your grandparents were born, there was a special village called Hochelaga. It was built by people called the St. Lawrence Iroquois. This village was like a big, busy town, but it was surrounded by a strong fence to keep everyone safe. It was located near a tall hill that explorers later called Mount Royal. Think of it like a super-cool fort with houses inside!

One day, a brave explorer named Jacques Cartier sailed his boat all the way to where Hochelaga was. He arrived on October 2nd, a long time ago. The next day, he visited the village! The people of Hochelaga were friendly and welcomed him. Jacques Cartier saw the big hill nearby and thought it was so grand, he named it Mount Royal. It’s like finding a new playground and giving it a special name!

Hochelaga was a special place for the St. Lawrence Iroquois people. They lived in houses made from wood and other natural things they found around them. The village was built to be strong and safe, with a big fence around it. This fence helped protect them from any dangers. It was a busy place where families lived, worked, and played together, just like in any town today.

Even though the village of Hochelaga isn't there anymore, its name still pops up! There’s a neighborhood in Montreal called Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. And a music festival is even named Osheaga, which sounds a bit like Hochelaga! A special marker was put in the ground near where the village might have been, so we can remember this amazing place from history.