Find the Spirit of the Huron-Wendat in Quebec's Wendake

The Hotel-Musee Premieres Nations and nearby Sagamite Restaurant are two unique examples of the entrepreneurial spirit of the Huron-Wendake band of Canadian First Nations people. Located in Wendake, only 15 minutes from downtown Quebec, the area offers a glimpse into a proud culture that is often hidden from view for the average tourist.

Hotel-Musee Premieres Nations

The luxurious and restful 4-star Hotel-Musee Premieres Nations complex is distinctive from afar with its large, rounded shape of an Algonquin Smokehouse. The facility takes full advantage of its location fronting the wooded Akiawenrahk River, orienting the guest rooms, restaurant and public spaces to soothing scenes of nature.

Hotel

The hotel lobby is richly appointed with art and objects that reflect the native heritage of the First Nations people within a contemporary setting. Abundant wolf skins drape the sofas, native art hangs on the walls and lamps constructed from slender tree trunks illuminate the area. Spacious guest rooms, all facing the river, many with balconies, are luxuriously appointed, with beaver skin pillows, fox and raccoon skins.

Room rates range from a reasonable $129-179, depending on the type of room and time of year. The hotel has 55 rooms and suites.

Museum

The museum, accessed from the hotel lobby, offers a range of exhibits highlighting the traditions, memories and skills of the Huron Wendat people while celebrating the vibrant culture that still exists. The museum offers guided tours of Wendake's heritage sites and outdoors activities such as snowshoe tours in winter.

La Traite Restaurant

The 4-star, on-site restaurant, La Traite, is located downstairs from the lobby of the hotel, opening onto a large patio facing the river. The highly acclaimed and popular restaurant features a First Nations' inspired gourmet menu and is serviced by a staff comprised mostly of First Nations' people from across North America. A majority of the food served at the restaurant is organic and the menu leans heavily on wild game such as elk, deer and seal, as well as salmon and brook trout. A locally micro-brewed ale, Kwe, crafted from corn, is a First Nations specialty served at the restaurant, the name taken from "hello" in the native language. On a recent weekend evening every table was occupied and we were informed that reservations are strongly recommended for Sunday brunch.

Restaurant Sagamite

Down the street from the Hotel-Musee Premieres Nations is another First Nations inspired restaurant, Restaurant Sagamite. The name, in fact, refers to a vividly flavored traditional soup made from corn, beans, squash and venison. The sweet flavor of the corn stands out against the rich, hearty broth.

During a recent visit an appetizer of elk, venison and caribou sausage wrapped in phyllo dough was served, the dense sausage of the lean meats offset by the light, flaky phyllo. A dollop of thick, sweet cherry sauce counterbalanced the hearty meat.

A unique entrée is Potence (French for "gallows"), a mixed grill that evokes ancient traditions cooking meat over an open fire. Adapted for modern times, a blazing hot metal cylinder with spikes all around is brought from the kitchen to the table, the spikes stuck with chunks of raw elk, venison and caribou. The heat of the metal cylinder cooks the meat, helped along by a brief but dramatic open flame from a torch. Guests can select the degree of doneness of the meat by removing it quickly for rare meat, or leaving it on the cylinder for well-done. A Nk'nip (pronounced "in-ka-meep") Merlot, produced by a native winery in the Okanagan, complemented the game.

Apparently many international visitors are not familiar with game meats such as bison, wapiti and others, so the restaurant, helpfully, has a photo display to aid in identification of one's meal.

Entrees run from $25-27.

Planning a visit

The unique culture of the Huron-Wendat is readily accessible in Wendake and a stroll around the town reveals charming churches, a nearby waterfall, walking trails, and historic buildings. There are about 1,600 native Wendat people among the population of 3,000.

For visitors coming from Quebec, a free shuttle is available during the summer months.

Travel planning is available at Tourism Wendake (www.tourismewendake.com)

Information:

Tourism Wendake: www.tourismewendake.com
Hotel-Musee Premieres Nations: www.hotelpremieresnations.ca/index.php?langue=en
Restaurant Sagamite: http://sagamite.com/
Quebec Tourism: http://www.quebecregion.com/en

Location:

Hotel-Musee Premieres Nations
5, Place de la Rencontre
Wendake, Quebec, Canada
418-847-2222
info@hotelpremieresnations.ca

Restaurant Sagamite
10 Maurice-Bastien,
Wendake, Quebec, Canada
418-847-6999

Getting There:

To reach Wendake from Quebec City by automobile (10 miles):

Follow Rte 175-N
Continue on Aut 973-N, which becomes Aut 73-N
Take exit #154/Rue de la Faune/Sainte Emile
Turn left on Rue du Marigot
Turn left on Rue de la Faune
Arrive in Wendake