Chief Donnacona

Donnacona and his people were fishing off the Gaspé peninsula when French explorer Jacques Cartier first arrived there in 1534 . Cartier seized Donnacona's sons, Domagaya and Taignoagny, and took them to France. They returned to Canada with Cartier the following year, showed him the entrance to the St. Lawrence River, and piloted him up the river to Stadacona, where this time, the French wintered.

Relations between the Wendats and French deteriorated over the winter. In spring, Cartier invited Donnacona to a feast, then seized him and nine others, including his two sons, eventually transporting them to France.

Donnacona was well treated in France, being looked after at the king's expense. He whetted the French appetite for New World exploration with tales of a golden kingdom called "'' Saquenay ''", however he soon took sick and died. So did all but one of the natives -- a little girl whose fate is unknown.

When Cartier returned to Stadacona five years later, he told the Wendats that Donnacona was living like a king in France, and had no wish to come home. The Wendats did not believe him.

CITY OF DONNACONA

Donnacona is a small village of approximately 6000 inhabitants located about 40 km west of Québec City in Portneuf county. It is mostly known because of its federal prison, located on Rt. 138. Donnacona is also an excellent place to stop for people travelling on highway 40. Its many fast-food restaurants and gas station make Donnacona a popular place to stop.

Restaurants include:

Valentine

Le Coq Roti

Subway

KFC

McDonalds

Normandin

and more...

Gas Stations include:

Ultramar

Petro-Canada

Esso

Donnacona is also the home of a paper industry that currently employs over 300 people.

Donnacona is surrounded by several towns and villages, including:

Neuville

Cap-Santé

Portneuf

Saint-Basile

Pont-Rouge

EXTERNAL LINKS

City Of Donnacona - Homepage

Information About

Chief Donnacona