The French and Canada

The tone was set for French-native people relations with explorer Jacques Cartier, who took possession of the new land for the king of France. Cartier's relations with the native people began with a lie. When he reached Gaspe Bay in 1534 he raised a 30-foot wooden cross on Point Penouille. More than 200 Iroquois from Stadacona (Quebec) were fishing on the peninsula at the time and they were initially trusting and cordial to Cartier and his men. The cross, however, seemed improper to the Native Chief Donnacona, and Cartier, fearful of the outcome of the discontent and suspicion among the Iroquois, lied by saying that the cross was just an insignificant landmark (The Virtual Museum of New France: Jacques Cartier).

French relations with the native people can best be understood in light of all the European explorations to the new lands.

In Native American Testimony: A Chronicle of Indian-White Relations from Prophecy t

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to exchange their furs for hatchets, knives and other small articles "they went away quite naked." The reception he and his men received from the Micmac gave Cartier the idea of evangelizing them; their warmth and easy friendship inspired the notion that these people "would be easily converted to our holy faith" (quoted in Lanctot 54). Cartier returned to France where he reported to the crown and the church, Francis I and Cardinal Le Venuer, that he had discovered abundant fishing, wood, furs and fertile lands inhabited by people who could be readily converted to Christianity (Lanctot 56). On Cartier's second trip to Canada he penetrated deeper into the country. He again records being greeted by joyous natives. At an Indian village, Hochelaga, Cartier reports he and his men were welcomed as though they were supernatural beings. The sick in the tribe were brought to Cartier so that he might touch and heal them. He was so moved by this sight that Cartier read aloud the Gospel of St. John, made the sign of the cross over the sick and prayed that God grant them the grace of baptism. At Stadacona, an Iroquoian village, Cartier learned that the Stadaconna believe in a god called Cudouagny and a spirit man. Cartier preached Christiani
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