Monument to the Algonquin Chief Tessouat
Located on the grounds of the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, this eight-foot bronze statue commemorates the 450th anniversary of the birth of Chief Tessouat.
Tessouat was an uncontested leader and a shrewd trade negotiator. He and his people controlled the flow of traffic and goods along the Ottawa River from Morrison Island, where they lived.
The monument shows Tessouat as if he were just returning from a trading journey, and about to address his travelling companions. He is wearing everyday clothing and holds the traditional talking stick. He stands at ground level, his feet connected to the earth and his territory.
The monument was sculpted by artist Jérémie Giles and unveiled on November 9, 2017.