Coucoucache, Quebec
Encyclopedia
Coucoucache is a tiny First Nation reserve on the north shore of Blanc Reservoir on the Saint-Maurice River
in the Mauricie
region of Quebec
, Canada
. It belongs to the Atikamekw
First Nation of Wemotaci
but has no permanent population.
The reserve is an enclave within the City of La Tuque
, approximately 48 kilometres (29.8 mi) north-west of La Tuque's town centre.
s to get to the Grand Kôukôukache." This name came from the word kôkôkachi, meaning "owl". It was also the name of the former Coucoucache Lake, where the Hudson's Bay Company
had maintained a trading post, called Coocoocache, since at least 1823 (closed circa 1913). Coucoucache Lake, part of a chain of lakes on the Saint-Maurice River, may have been named after a small mountain in the shape of an owl that was situated at the eastern end of the lake. However, legend has it that a fight developed between the Atikamekw and the Iroquois
at this lake, and when the Atikamekw imitated an owl's cry, they sprung on the Iroquois and massacred them.
In 1851, the Government enacted the allotment of 230000 acres (930.8 km²) of land as reserves for the use and benefit of the "Indian" tribes residing in Lower Canada. Two years later, these lands were distributed among the Atikamekw, Algonquins, and Abenakis by John Rolph, Commissioner of Crown Lands. On August 9, 1853, the reserves, including Coucoucache, were approved by the Governor General in Council. In 1895, the original Coucoucache Reserve was surveyed and covered 380 acres (1.54 km2).
In 1932, the Rapide-Blanc Dam was constructed, leading to the formation of the Blanc Reservoir that inundated Coucoucache Lake and Reserve. The new Coucoucache Reserve on the north shore of the reservoir replaced the old one but was only 12 acres (0.05 km2) in size. For the loss of land, the Shawinigan Water & Power Company paid the Canadian government the amount of $380.
Saint-Maurice River
The Saint-Maurice River is a river in central Quebec which flows south from Gouin Reservoir to empty into the Saint Lawrence River at Trois-Rivières, Quebec. The river is 563 km in length and has a drainage basin of 43,300 km² ....
in the Mauricie
Mauricie
Mauricie is a traditional and current administrative region of Quebec. La Mauricie National Park is contained within the region, making it a prime tourist location. The region has a land area of 35,855.22 km² and a 2006 census population of 258,928 residents...
region of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It belongs to the Atikamekw
Atikamekw
The Atikamekw are the indigenous inhabitants of the area they refer to as Nitaskinan , in the upper Saint-Maurice River valley of Quebec , Canada. Their population currently stands at around 4500. One of the main communities is Manawan, about northeast of Montreal. They have a tradition of...
First Nation of Wemotaci
Wemotaci, Quebec
Wemotaci is a First Nation reserve on the north shore of the Saint-Maurice River at the mouth of the Manouane River in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada...
but has no permanent population.
The reserve is an enclave within the City of La Tuque
La Tuque, Quebec
La Tuque is a city in south central Quebec, Canada, on the Saint-Maurice River, between Trois-Rivières and Chambord. In 2006, it had a population of 11,821 Latuquois....
, approximately 48 kilometres (29.8 mi) north-west of La Tuque's town centre.
History
In 1806, explorer Jean-Baptiste Perrault reported on "the small Kôukôukache River that flows by a rocky mountain where there are 11 portagePortage
Portage or portaging refers to the practice of carrying watercraft or cargo over land to avoid river obstacles, or between two bodies of water. A place where this carrying occurs is also called a portage; a person doing the carrying is called a porter.The English word portage is derived from the...
s to get to the Grand Kôukôukache." This name came from the word kôkôkachi, meaning "owl". It was also the name of the former Coucoucache Lake, where the Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
had maintained a trading post, called Coocoocache, since at least 1823 (closed circa 1913). Coucoucache Lake, part of a chain of lakes on the Saint-Maurice River, may have been named after a small mountain in the shape of an owl that was situated at the eastern end of the lake. However, legend has it that a fight developed between the Atikamekw and the Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
at this lake, and when the Atikamekw imitated an owl's cry, they sprung on the Iroquois and massacred them.
In 1851, the Government enacted the allotment of 230000 acres (930.8 km²) of land as reserves for the use and benefit of the "Indian" tribes residing in Lower Canada. Two years later, these lands were distributed among the Atikamekw, Algonquins, and Abenakis by John Rolph, Commissioner of Crown Lands. On August 9, 1853, the reserves, including Coucoucache, were approved by the Governor General in Council. In 1895, the original Coucoucache Reserve was surveyed and covered 380 acres (1.54 km2).
In 1932, the Rapide-Blanc Dam was constructed, leading to the formation of the Blanc Reservoir that inundated Coucoucache Lake and Reserve. The new Coucoucache Reserve on the north shore of the reservoir replaced the old one but was only 12 acres (0.05 km2) in size. For the loss of land, the Shawinigan Water & Power Company paid the Canadian government the amount of $380.
Demographics
Population trend:- Population in 2006: 0 (2001 to 2006 population change: 0.0 %)
- Population in 2001: 0
- Population in 1996: 0
- Population in 1991: 0