The legend of Outikou "Giant of the Méchins"

The Iroquois had ran away in front of the French cohorts, then had asked for peace and baptism. Taking advantage of these days of victory and peace, the missionaries grew ever numerous to go and  evangelize. Two of those servants of God had left Quebec city for Tadoussac; the first one was destined for the missions with the montagnaises on the north shore; the other one had to cross the St Lawrence river, and go reconstruct the Gaspé missions.  Without following the later one to the end of his trip, let's accompany him to this famous location whose name today is still called Les Isles Méchins. The missionary, accompanied by another traveler, was taken to Kakona, on the south shore, by the montagnais from Tadoussak. There, he took a Maliseet canoe which was to take him to Gaspé.

Of the two Maliseets guiding the canoe, one was a Christian, and the other one was infidel; the later one always postponing his conversion. After five days on the road, with magnificent weather, comes evening, the sky became heavy with clouds. The travelers were reaching at the time the Ilets Méchins which are two small rock formations close to the shore separated by a narrow canal, deep enough to serve as a harbour for small crafts. The beach in front forms a sandy stretch which elevates gradually to the top of a mountain.  Our travelers stopped at this location.  Despite the  inviting nature of the location, the infidel savage had halted only at great distress.

-What is the matter, asked the missionary to the Christian savage?

-He is afraid of Outikou!

Poor man, thought the missionary, he is afraid of the fantastic Giant and is nor afraid of the real Giant of the abysm. 

-But why is he most scared here of Outikou than elsewhere?

-Outikou lives here in the mountain.

They flipped the canoe upside down and built a good fire and talked while having the evening meal. The wind was growing strong and blew out the fire, leaving them in complete darkness, increasing the terror of the infidel savage. Prayers were said and everyone laid on the sand sheltered by the canoe.  Sleeping was on the shore, the wind and the rain had stopped, when all of a sudden, a horrifying scream brought the travelers out of their sleep  It was the rebel savage who throwing himself on his knees at the missionary's feet, screaming with all his strength.

-Baptism, Patriarch, baptism!  

-But what is the matter, inquires the father all worried?

-I heard the scream of Outikou, and that scream kills!... I saw him come down from the mountain, tall tall like the chickchâks... I saw the staff he uses to support himself, it is a tall pine pulled out by his own hand...

-Calm down, said the father reassured; because the unfortunate infidel was suffocating.

-He (Outikou) had smelled the non-baptized savage.. he had come to roam around the camp... he bent down towards me to grab me; but I placed my crucifix on my chest... Seeing that image, he screamed again which seems to split my head open; then he escaped to the mountain dropping his staff a few paces from here! He tramped under his feet the trees and rocks rolled under his feet while rushing away. But I will die, added the savage clutching frenetically the missionary's long robe and I don't want to die without baptism !

-Do nor worry, said the father, you will not die without baptism. God will not allow it; but at the moment, you are not ready to receive the sacrament. In the meantime, let us pray and repent yourself... When daylight came about, the savage a bit calmer pulled the missionary to the edge of the forest, where pointing to a dry pine on the ground, told him:

-Do you see Outikou's staff?

-From this staff, said the father, before we depart Les Méchins, we will construct a cross which we will erect on this site for the redemption of the world, so Outikou never comes back!  The staff transformed into a cross was raised at the pointe de l’Anse de Méchins. From then on, the giant was never seen again at the Inlets.

*The Municipality of Les Méchins is located at equal distance between Matane and Ste-Anne-des-Monts (45 km), on the south shore of the St Lawrence river.