FIRST CONTACT

Historians accept today that some of the earliest face to face contact in Canada may be unrecorded Historians accept today that some of the earliest face to face contact in Canada may be unrecorded For example, evidence of trading exchanges with European settlers and encounters with Basque fishermen For example, evidence of trading exchanges with European settlers and encounters with Basque fishermen

FIRST CONTACT Historians today acknowledge that contact was a series of events, not just one initial meeting between Europeans and Aboriginals leading to settlement. Historians today acknowledge that contact was a series of events, not just one initial meeting between Europeans and Aboriginals leading to settlement. Numerous stories of Irish Monk St. Brendan reaching the Americas Numerous stories of Irish Monk St. Brendan reaching the Americas No confirming evidence has been found No confirming evidence has been found Contacts dated back to the 15 th or 16 th centuries for First Nations in Atlantic Canada, to the 18 th century for Aboriginals in the West Coast, to the 20 th century for many northern Native peoples Contacts dated back to the 15 th or 16 th centuries for First Nations in Atlantic Canada, to the 18 th century for Aboriginals in the West Coast, to the 20 th century for many northern Native peoples

FIRST CONTACT KNOWN CONTACTS KNOWN CONTACTS The Vikings First recorded face to face contact took place in Newfoundland with Viking settlements First recorded face to face contact took place in Newfoundland with Viking settlements Lief Eriksson called this place Vinland Lief Eriksson called this place Vinland These European settlers called Aboriginals “skraelings” These European settlers called Aboriginals “skraelings”

FIRST CONTACT KNOWN CONTACTS KNOWN CONTACTS There is evidence of numerous contacts between European voyages to North America in the 15 th and 16 th Centuries. Major impacts on Aboriginal life There is evidence of numerous contacts between European voyages to North America in the 15 th and 16 th Centuries. Major impacts on Aboriginal life Cabot and the Beothuk 1497 Cabot and the Beothuk 1497 Cabot went searching for a passage to China. He landed in Newfoundland Cabot went searching for a passage to China. He landed in Newfoundland

FIRST CONTACT Jacques Cartier sent by France to find new lands where gold could be found Jacques Cartier sent by France to find new lands where gold could be found Explored the Bay of Chaleur and the Gaspe Bay and erected a large cross claiming the land for New France Explored the Bay of Chaleur and the Gaspe Bay and erected a large cross claiming the land for New France

FIRST CONTACT- IMPACTS Cartier’s cross upset the Natives living at Stadacona (now Quebec City) Cartier’s cross upset the Natives living at Stadacona (now Quebec City) Cartier told the Native people that the cross only served as a navigational guide Cartier told the Native people that the cross only served as a navigational guide Cartier took two of the Native chiefs sons back to France Cartier took two of the Native chiefs sons back to France He returned two years later after the sons told stories of great riches in Stadacona He returned two years later after the sons told stories of great riches in Stadacona

FIRST CONTACT- IMPACTS 1570s- Martin Frobisher looked for Northwest passage to China and brought back huge amounts of gold (proved to be false) 1570s- Martin Frobisher looked for Northwest passage to China and brought back huge amounts of gold (proved to be false)

FIRST CONTACT- IMPACTS Clash Of Cultures Clash Of Cultures Europeans viewed Aboriginals as savages and uncivilized Europeans viewed Aboriginals as savages and uncivilized Aboriginals saw Europeans as helpless novices, ill equipped to survive in North America Aboriginals saw Europeans as helpless novices, ill equipped to survive in North America Each group believed they were superior to the other Each group believed they were superior to the other

FIRST CONTACT- IMPACTS Trade and Cultural Change Trade and Cultural Change Europeans believed they had a trade advantage trading cheap goods (alcohol) for valuable furs. Europeans believed they had a trade advantage trading cheap goods (alcohol) for valuable furs. Aboriginals were more than happy to trade furs for technologically advanced products like axes and knives. Aboriginals were more than happy to trade furs for technologically advanced products like axes and knives. Trade changed Aboriginal culture dramatically Trade changed Aboriginal culture dramatically

FIRST CONTACT-IMPACTS Conflict Over Spirituality Conflict Over Spirituality Native people embraced spirituality and a wide range of beliefs based on maintaining harmony between spiritual and material world Native people embraced spirituality and a wide range of beliefs based on maintaining harmony between spiritual and material world Imposition of Christianity by Europeans was met with skepticism, especially as those who preached brought disease Imposition of Christianity by Europeans was met with skepticism, especially as those who preached brought disease Europeans saw Native religion as barbaric Europeans saw Native religion as barbaric