From Early Stories to Today · Drawing 02
A Wendat longhouse
A present-day reconstruction
At Wendake, a reconstructed longhouse helps us learn about the lives of Wendat ancestors. The Wendat Nation is still very much here today.
Look together
What shape is the roof?
An idea to try
Look at the roof's outline together, then compare it with a house in your neighbourhood. Name similarities and differences without deciding that one shape is better.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
At Wendake, the national longhouse was added to the Huron-Wendat Museum experience in 2013. It was built as part of an effort to maintain traditions, with Indigenous students taking part and an archaeologist providing support. It is a contemporary place that helps visitors learn about the homes of Wendat ancestors.
Distinguishing a reconstruction from an old building helps children understand the image. People can build something today to better understand the past. Present Wendake as a living community too: Wendat people tell their history and pass on their culture today. The rounded roof offers something to observe, without suggesting that this one house represents all Indigenous homes.
Sources and context
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. Source titles appear in their original language; some linked pages are in French.
Source review: 2026-09-12. Illustrations simplify places and scenes; they are not historical documents.