Here are pictures of axes from the Huronia Museum & Huron/Ouendat Village in Midland, Ontario (Pictures taken by author). Courtesy of Jamie Hunter, Director of the Huronia Museum. (www.huroniamuseum.com)

Below are pictures of trade axes from Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons.  Courtesy of Parks Canada

Sainte-Marie was the 17th century fortress and headquarters for the French Jesuit mission to the Huron nation and was Ontario's first European community. In 1639 the Jesuits, along with lay workers, began construction of this palisaded community that would include barracks, a church, workshops, residences, and a sheltered area for Native visitors. By 1648, Sainte-Marie was a wilderness home to 66 Frenchmen, representing one-fifth of the entire population of New France. Sainte-Marie's history culminated in 1649 when a dramatic turn of events forced the community to abandon and burn their home of 10 years.

After extensive archaeological and historical research, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons now stands recreated on the original site where its compelling story is brought to life once again.