Brulé, Étienne (1592?–1633), a French explorer. He is believed to have been the first European to see the Great Lakes and also was the first to live among the Indians. Brulé came to North America with Samuel de Champlain in 1608 and helped in the founding of Quebec. At Champlain's request, he lived first among the Algonkins and then among the Hurons, learning their language and ways, and later acted as an interpreter. He explored Lake Huron in 1612 and is thought to have come upon Lakes Ontario, Erie, and Superior in explorations after 1615. After a quarrel, he was killed by the Hurons.