Algonquin

Algonquin is a name used for several related subjects in Canada: the Algonquin people, their language, and Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario.

The Algonquin people are Indigenous inhabitants whose traditional territory centers on the Ottawa River valley and surrounding regions of eastern Ontario and western Quebec. They are part of the broader Anishinaabe grouping and speak the Algonquin language, a member of the Algonquian language family. Traditionally, they relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering, with seasonal camps and long-standing trade networks with neighboring peoples and European traders after contact in the 17th century.

The Algonquin language is one of the Algonquian languages and is still spoken by some community members. Like many Indigenous languages, it faces endangerment, but revitalization efforts—language classes, immersion programs, and community initiatives—are underway in several communities.

In contemporary Canada, Algonquin communities are recognized as First Nations and are governed by band councils and regional organizations. They participate in treaty negotiations, land-use planning, and cultural preservation, and work to sustain traditional practices through education, land protection, and partnerships with non-Indigenous communities.

Algonquin Provincial Park, established in 1893, is one of Ontario's oldest and largest provincial parks. Located in central Ontario, it preserves boreal and mixed forests, numerous lakes, and abundant wildlife. It is a popular destination for canoeing, hiking, and autumn foliage and sits near the homeland of the Algonquin people.