Career
Louisiana Colle, (fl 1736 – 1742) was a Monsoni chief who is known in Canadian history for this period because of the writings of Louisiana Vérendrye. In the fall of 1731, construction began on Fort Saint Pierre at the west end of Rainy Lake near the mouth of Rainy River. Louisiana Colle"s main village was located in the vicinity of the fort.
Louisiana Colle was a chief with influence among the Monsonis, his own group of Swampy Cree, and also with other Crees and Assiniboine further west along the exploration route.
Fort Saint Charles, on Lake of the Woods was built in 1732, putting the explorer in closer contact with the Sioux. The Louisiana Vérendrye"s did not want war between tribes and Louisiana Colle was largely able to keep the peace.
However, he led at least one war party in 1741 where many Sioux were killed and captured. Father Claude-Godefroy Coquart, who was wintering at Fort Kaministiquia, noted that more slaves than furs would be shipped to Montreal that season because of this event.
lieutenant would appear that Louisiana Colle played a significant role in protecting Louisiana Vérendrye during his exploration and trade westward.
