Perspectives on Exploration What is similar about these well-known sayings? One person’s meat is another person’s poison. What some call work, others call pleasure.

What that means: People can have different experiences of the same circumstances. European exploration was like that – something that French and British explorers, and the First Nations people they met, experienced differently.

Read page 45 in pairs Come up with a saying, like the sayings that we just went over, that captures the idea of different perspectives on exploration. Example: One person’s “explorer” is another person’s “invader”.

Explorer vs. Invader Explorer Invader What are three characteristics of each? Brainstorm a list of at least three words for each. Explorer Invader

P. 45 #3 To what extent might Giovanni Caboto have the characteristics of both an explorer and an invader? Choose at least one word from each list and explain your choices.

Contact with the First Nation Peoples

Why did the Europeans first arrive in the lands that became Canada? Why would they risk sailing off the face of the earth in order to discover new lands? What did they stand to gain from their exploration? With a partner take 5-7 minutes and answer these questions in point form.

Trade What is trade??? After European explorers began to arrive in North America, they began to have regular contact with First Nations people along the east coast of North America. In some cases, positive relations developed from this contact, and in other cases it didn’t.

Personal Experiences with Trade What sorts of things do you trade with your friends? Why do you trade those things? Think of specific examples

Fair Trades vs. Unfair Trade Make a list of examples for each side. What characteristics the examples in each column share. Fair Trades Unfair Trades

What is Imperialism?

Early Trading: European Perspective In Europe, there was a very high demand for furs but they already had a strong trading relationship with Russia for their furs. One of the major questions was, would this new source of furs be able to compete? Many Europeans felt that it was worth a try, as long as it was not too costly to get them. Imagine if you were a European entrepreneur, would you take the risk and try to get more furs from Canada or would you simply keep trading with Russia? What did Europeans have to gain from this new trade source? Europe also had a very high demand for fish, because the cod that was caught in Canada could be shipped back to Europe for a very good profit.

Early Trading: Aboriginal Perspective The Mi'kmaq viewed trading as a way of cementing strong relationships with people. It was a sign of goodwill to trade gifts with new acquaintances. The Europeans had the ability to produce metal goods and this was technology that the Aboriginals did not yet have. The Aboriginals would trade their furs to the Europeans in exchange of metal pots, tools, and weapons. Imagine how much easier a simple process of boiling water would be when Aboriginals could simply put the pot directly on the fire. These European good were very durable and made life much easier for the Aboriginals. The Mi'kmaq could now meet their needs with fewer resources and less trouble.

Who would you rather be? Mi’kmaq Europeans If you could choose, which side of this trade relationship would you rather be on? Mi’kmaq Europeans Who would want to trade furs for metal goods? Who would want to trade metal goods for furs?

Respond question on p. 47 How would you describe the trading relationship that developed between the Mi’kmaq and European fishers? To what extent was it mutually beneficial or unequal, in your view? Why?