Étienne Brûlé (c. 1592 – c. June 1633) was a French explorer and coureur des bois in Canada in the 17th century. A rugged outdoorsman, he took to the lifestyle of the First Nations and had a unique contribution to the geographical knowledge of New France. He departed from his home in Champigny-sur-Marne, southeast of Paris, France, at the young age of 16 and set sail for Québec, what was part of New France. Brûlé took opportunities not only to explore the many dangerous areas of the unknown wilderness, but as well as to learn the habits and customs of the indigenous peoples; the Hurons in particular. He was sent on many portages by Samuel de Champlain as well as sent to live among the Huron people. He scouted the rivers and forests and was a guide and interpreter for Champlain; but in 1629, he betrayed his friend and patron. Not long after his disloyalty to Samuel de Champlain, Brûlé was killed by the Bear tribe of Huron Indians.