Image Discussion Questions:

1. Describe the transportation method used by Samuel de Champlain and the First Nations people to explore New France. Why do you think they used this method? What other methods were available?

2. What natural resources do you see in this picture? What uses would the First Nations and early settlers find for these resources?

3. How does this picture portray the relationship of the First Nations people and the explorers?

4. Is the artistic interpretation of the First Nations people in this image historically accurate? Explain.

From 1500 – 1700 living conditions in Europe were declining, and land was becoming scarce. People were being forced off their land due to high tax rates, strict land ownership policies and population growth.

During this time period in Europe, there was a huge gap between the rich and the poor. Most people were born into their social and economic status. This status remained with them for life, regardless of their effort and hard work. The majority of Europeans lived in rural areas, and relied on land owners buying their crops as their main income source.

These living conditions, in addition to a desire for adventure and wealth, encouraged explorers to set off and explore the new lands discovered by John Cabot and Jacques Cartier years earlier.

Once the explorers arrived in the “New World” they saw how abundant the natural resources were, and wanted to bring them back to Europe where natural resources were in sharp decline due to overfishing and hunting. Beaver fur was especially in high demand due to the fashion trends of Europe at the time. Once the natural resources made it back to Europe, they were made into products and sold for the profit of the Kings.

On July 3, 1608, Samuel de Champlain, a French citizen, establishes a new French settlement named New France in Québec City.

1. Why do you think Samuel de Champlain had his own private living space and the workmen had to share their living spaces?

2. What types of security features did this settlement have?

3. Why was Québec City a good location to develop a settlement? Think about its geographic location and natural resources availability.

Like other survival skills, the early explorers relied heavily on the guidance and knowledge of the First Nations people for medical care. Indigenous medicine traditions were passed orally from generation to generation. The Europeans made written notes of these remedies.

One of the common diseases that the settlers faced was Scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency). The First Nations made a tea of boiled White Spruce twigs and bark, or Hemlock in water and had their people drink the liquid to ward off this terrible disease. Other Indigenous medicine was created from plants and made into teas, poultices, and other liquid preparations to drink. The settlers used their knowledge of Indigenous medicine practices to survive their first years.

Once North America became more populated, hospitals were built in Quebec City, Montreal and Toronto. They were often founded and staffed by Catholic missionaries and nuns. In larger settlements, doctors were sent from Europe. Poor people visited hospitals, which were free, while wealthy citizens saw private physicians. During this time, self-taught midwives and healers also provided medical care to the settlers.