Ononchataronon Indians, Ononchataronon Nation, Ononchataronon First Nation, Ononchataronon People (Huron name). An Algonkin tribe or band that occupied the district near Montreal, Canada, between St Lawrence and Ottawa rivers, and wintered near the Hurons. In 1642 they were but a remnant. They claimed to have been the original occupants of Montreal Island and of a large territory on both sides of the St Lawrence. They said they had been conquered and dispersed by Hurons, who were then their enemies, and that the survivors of the war had taken refuge with the Abnaki or the Iroquois or had joined the Hurons. Hochelaga, the village found on the island by Cartier in 1535, was occupied by an Iroquoian tribe, but, according to Gatschet, the remains of a second village about 2 miles from its site has been discovered. This would clear the confusion as to the stock of the former occupants of the island. Shea suggests that the names Huron and Iroquois have been transposed, which is likely. Charlevoix says that there was a tradition that the Ononchataronon were at one time at war with the Algonkin, and that they were drawn into an ambuscade and entirely destroyed. He adds that at the time of his visit (1721) they had ceased to exist. This tradition, however, seems doubtful. According to the Jesuit Relations, at the general peace of 1646 the French induced the Ononchataronon to settle again on the island, but they soon scattered on account of the Iroquois. It seems they were met with as early as 1609 by Champlain, as Iroquet; one of their chiefs, was with him at this time. The missionaries described them as arrogant, given to superstition and debauchery, and very cruel.
