Aquarelle: Champlain qui échange avec les Indiens (sic) Source: Bibliothèque et Archives Canada / Crédit: Charles William Jefferys / Fonds Charles William Jefferys / C-103059
When Champlain landed in the St. Lawrence Valley in 1603, the region was inhabited by the Montagnais and the Algonquin, who were nomadic people living by fishing and gathering. They were allies with the Huron, a sedentary and horticultural people who lived in the Great Lakes region. Both the Montagnais, who occupied the Tadoussac region, and the Algonquin, who had settled near the Ottawa River, played an active role in the fur trade, serving as intermediaries between the Europeans and the other tribes.
As soon as he arrived in New France, Champlain witnessed an important diplomatic event: the first documented agreement documentée entre le roi de France et les peuples de l’Amérique du Nord. Le 27 mai 1603, deux jeunes Montagnais, revenant de France où ils ont rencontré Henri IV, prennent la parole en présence debetween the King of France and the peoples of North America. On May 27, 1603, two young Montagnais, who were returning from France where they had met with Henry IV, spoke in the presence of several Native chiefs. They told of the time they had spent in Europe and conveyed a message from the king: France would help the Native peoples bring peace back to their war-torn country if, in turn, they would allow the French to settle there. The proposal was formally accepted by chief Anadabijou.
Champlain relied a great deal on the help of his Amerindian allies in order to learn about and explore the country. In order to be able to communicate with them he provided for the training of “truchements”. En 1610, Champlain confie un jeune homme, probablement Étienne Brûlé, à un chef algonquin pour qu’il apprenne la langue huronne. D’autres suivront ses traces, tel Nicolas de Vignau et Thomas Godefroy, qui apprennent, de plus, à vivre à l’amérindienne.
In 1610, Champlain assigned a young man, probably Étienne Brûlé, to an Algonquin chief, so that he could learn the Huron language. Others would follow in his footsteps, such as Nicolas de Vignau and Thomas Godefroy, who also learned to live in Amerindian style.
Champlain was a friendly, cheerful companion to the Native People, often making them laugh. In order to earn their respect, he performed several daring deeds, such as traveling down the rapids in a canoe as they watched on. He always provided gifts for them. For the Native People, the ability to give gifts was a sign of power. Champlain also took Native protégés under his wing, such as the young Huron man, Savignon, whom he took to France, and three adoptive daughters, named Foi (Faith), Charité (Charity) and Espérance (Hope), whom he would have liked to have educated in France. Nevertheless, the action that went the farthest to win the friendship of the Native Peoples was, beyond a doubt, his involvement in their wars. Champlain personally led three military expeditions, thereby turning the king’s promise into concrete action.
As a result of the good relationships Champlain developed with the Native Peoples, they in turn helped him when it came time to explore the Richelieu River and the Ottawa River. Yet, this partnership was not perfect and problems did occur. In fact, the Amerindians who enjoyed a privileged position with the French hoped to be able to prevent them from encountering other groups. They postponed fulfilling some of their promises and prevented certain trips. For his part, Champlain was sometimes held up in France. He missed two meetings, to the great dismay of his allies who were waiting for him to make war.
In 1613 and 1615, Champlain invited the Algonquin and the Huron to settle in Montreal where the soil was fertile. They replied that they would settle there when a settlement had been built there, which Champlain agreed to. Both Champlain, and Récollet Le Caron, were of the opinion that having the Native People settle near colonial centers would facilitate their evangelization. In 1622, Champlain did manage to settle several Montagnais near Quebec, while also influencing their choice of chief.
War was not the only means Champlain used to bring peace to the Native Peoples. He also took part in diplomatic meetings. Thus, in 1622, the Iroquois who came to negotiate peace were received by Champlain, who convinced his allies to send some of their men to Iroquois lands as a sign of friendship. In 1623, Champlain intervened as a mediator in a quarrel between the Huron and the Algonquin and in 1627 he sent a Frenchman to Iroquois territory to prevent a new war.
The contagious diseases carried to New France by the French were, unfortunately, an element that hindered the development of good relations with the Native People. The Amerindians were much more susceptible than the Europeans to certain diseases and they experienced major epidemics, which they quickly attributed to the presence of Europeans. The missionaries bore the brunt of the consequences since they were viewed with suspicion. Fortunately, Champlain did not have to deal with any major epidemics.
When he returned to France, Champlain wrote down everything he saw. His travel accounts contain a great deal of information about the various groups of Native People: their dwellings, clothing, beliefs, economic, political and family life, etc. Both for Champlain’s contemporaries and historians today, they are a valuable source of information.
Champlain’s war activities had serious consequences, consolidating ties with certain groups while creating new enemies for the French. To learn more about Champlain’s military life, we invite you to return on February 19, 2008.
Sources
LITALIEN, Raymonde and Denis Vaugeois (dir). Champlain: la naissance de l'Amérique française. [Paris], Nouveau Monde éditions; Sillery, Septentrion, 2004, 397 pages.
TRUDEL, Marcel. “Samuel de Champlain”, Dictionnaire biographique du Canada, Vol. 1, [Québec], Presses de l’Université Laval, 1966, pages 192 to 204.
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As soon as he arrived in New France, Champlain witnessed an important diplomatic event: the first documented agreement documentée entre le roi de France et les peuples de l’Amérique du Nord. Le 27 mai 1603, deux jeunes Montagnais, revenant de France où ils ont rencontré Henri IV, prennent la parole en présence debetween the King of France and the peoples of North America. On May 27, 1603, two young Montagnais, who were returning from France where they had met with Henry IV, spoke in the presence of several Native chiefs. They told of the time they had spent in Europe and conveyed a message from the king: France would help the Native peoples bring peace back to their war-torn country if, in turn, they would allow the French to settle there. The proposal was formally accepted by chief Anadabijou.
| An important alliance For this first agreement, The French presented themselves as mediators for the Native People. This position was confirmed in 1701, during the signing of the Great Peace in Montreal. Close this window |
| A great assembly Native People, possibly from three different tribes (Montagnais, Algonquin Etchemin), met near Tadoussac to celebrate a great military victory. The leaders included the very influential Anadabijou, who hosted the event. Close this window |
| It’s a deal! To seal the alliance in Native tradition, a female Iroquois prisoner was given to the French, along with the son of a Montagnais chief, who wanted to visit France. Close this window |
In 1610, Champlain assigned a young man, probably Étienne Brûlé, to an Algonquin chief, so that he could learn the Huron language. Others would follow in his footsteps, such as Nicolas de Vignau and Thomas Godefroy, who also learned to live in Amerindian style.
| “Truchement” In French, this word designates an interpreter. Close this window |
Champlain was a friendly, cheerful companion to the Native People, often making them laugh. In order to earn their respect, he performed several daring deeds, such as traveling down the rapids in a canoe as they watched on. He always provided gifts for them. For the Native People, the ability to give gifts was a sign of power. Champlain also took Native protégés under his wing, such as the young Huron man, Savignon, whom he took to France, and three adoptive daughters, named Foi (Faith), Charité (Charity) and Espérance (Hope), whom he would have liked to have educated in France. Nevertheless, the action that went the farthest to win the friendship of the Native Peoples was, beyond a doubt, his involvement in their wars. Champlain personally led three military expeditions, thereby turning the king’s promise into concrete action.
As a result of the good relationships Champlain developed with the Native Peoples, they in turn helped him when it came time to explore the Richelieu River and the Ottawa River. Yet, this partnership was not perfect and problems did occur. In fact, the Amerindians who enjoyed a privileged position with the French hoped to be able to prevent them from encountering other groups. They postponed fulfilling some of their promises and prevented certain trips. For his part, Champlain was sometimes held up in France. He missed two meetings, to the great dismay of his allies who were waiting for him to make war.
| Exploration of the Richelieu In 1609, Champlain traveled down the Richelieu River to Ticonderoga. He discovered a vast lake that now bears his name. Close this window |
| Exploration of the Ottawa River and the Great Lakes In 1613, Champlain went to Île aux Allumettes, to visit Chief Tessouat. When he returned in 1615, he was amazed by the beauty and the fertility of the Huron's country. While spending the winter with them, he learned a lot about them and, for example, took part in a great hunt during which he got lost in the forest. He found his companions by accident, only three days later. Champlain also visited the Petuns and the Ottawa, which Champlain called “Cheveux-Relevés” (high hair) because of the way they wore their hair. Close this window |
| Champlain, you won’t go far! In 1613, when Champlain wanted to explore further and visit the Nipissing, his allies tried to discourage him, accusing that tribe of being murderers and sorcerers. They also accused Nicolas de Vignau of lying when he claimed that he had traveled as far as Hudson’s Bay, which he admitted under torture. Champlain turned back. Close this window |
In 1613 and 1615, Champlain invited the Algonquin and the Huron to settle in Montreal where the soil was fertile. They replied that they would settle there when a settlement had been built there, which Champlain agreed to. Both Champlain, and Récollet Le Caron, were of the opinion that having the Native People settle near colonial centers would facilitate their evangelization. In 1622, Champlain did manage to settle several Montagnais near Quebec, while also influencing their choice of chief.
| A settlement in Montreal? Champlain always intended to settle in Montreal and started to clear the land there. However, plans to build a settlement were never completed. Close this window |
| Joseph Le Caron This Récollet was the first missionary to go to Huronia. Close this window |
War was not the only means Champlain used to bring peace to the Native Peoples. He also took part in diplomatic meetings. Thus, in 1622, the Iroquois who came to negotiate peace were received by Champlain, who convinced his allies to send some of their men to Iroquois lands as a sign of friendship. In 1623, Champlain intervened as a mediator in a quarrel between the Huron and the Algonquin and in 1627 he sent a Frenchman to Iroquois territory to prevent a new war.
| Champlain renders justice During this quarrel, Champlain pardoned an Amerindian who had killed French people. Close this window |
The contagious diseases carried to New France by the French were, unfortunately, an element that hindered the development of good relations with the Native People. The Amerindians were much more susceptible than the Europeans to certain diseases and they experienced major epidemics, which they quickly attributed to the presence of Europeans. The missionaries bore the brunt of the consequences since they were viewed with suspicion. Fortunately, Champlain did not have to deal with any major epidemics.
| Native people and diseases Since diseases such as chicken pox, measles and the flu did not exist in America, the Native Peoples had developed no immunities to them. One reason that could account for the absence of this disease concerns domesticated animals, which transmit illness. Since the Amerindians had no large numbers of domesticated animals, viruses were not sustained. Close this window |
When he returned to France, Champlain wrote down everything he saw. His travel accounts contain a great deal of information about the various groups of Native People: their dwellings, clothing, beliefs, economic, political and family life, etc. Both for Champlain’s contemporaries and historians today, they are a valuable source of information.
Champlain’s war activities had serious consequences, consolidating ties with certain groups while creating new enemies for the French. To learn more about Champlain’s military life, we invite you to return on February 19, 2008.
Sources
LITALIEN, Raymonde and Denis Vaugeois (dir). Champlain: la naissance de l'Amérique française. [Paris], Nouveau Monde éditions; Sillery, Septentrion, 2004, 397 pages.
TRUDEL, Marcel. “Samuel de Champlain”, Dictionnaire biographique du Canada, Vol. 1, [Québec], Presses de l’Université Laval, 1966, pages 192 to 204.
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