’s Extraordinary Redactions: Held Captive by Nation-Building Myths about By Richard Sanders

esides John Cabot, an- other towering figure in Bthe pantheon of Can- Je pense que ada’s national heroes, long said je suis un to have “discovered” this land, is Jacques Cartier. Both Cabot explorateur and Cartier were little more than conquérant Jacques criminel officially aggrandized criminals Cartier — well-armed pirates charting pirate with héros the way for European kings and redacted popes to seize control of what Letters became known as “Canada.” Patent While Cabot staked the from English monarchy’s fictive claim King to dominate North America, Car- Francis I tier is celebrated for three voy- ages, between 1534 and 1542, which set the colonial course of history for New France.

As anthropologist Bruce collage: richard sanders Trigger noted in 1985, the era of I think therefore I am, an... explorer, conqueror, criminal, pirate, hero European explorations following Cabot and Cartier, until “the establishment from the ranks of ’s middle-class in … history texts.”5 of royal government in New France in nationalist intellectuals,” says Gordon, its Gordon explains that by the 1930s, 1663 was long seen as a ‘Heroic Age.’” “broad embrace suggests that it resonated “government agencies, both federal and The brave heroes in question were with ordinary people.”2 provincial, were also drawn to adopt Car- French explorers, missionaries, and The post-colonial era was a time tier as a symbol of (often competing) na- settlers [who] performed noble deeds. when Cartier’s image has put to use by tional identities.” Then, during the 1960s, Cartier the ‘discoverer’ of the St. Law- Anglophone elites, academic and other- “with the emerging Québécois nationalism rence Valley, was hailed as the proto- wise, eager to promote English-dominated characteristic of the Quiet Revolution,” the type of a bold mariner.1 Canadian nationalism. Gordon describes “old common sense surrounding Cartier In his book The Hero and the His- how the federal government in “Ottawa at- no longer fit.” Since then, says Gordon, torians: Historiography and the Uses of tempted to elevate Cartier into a national Cartier’s celebrity has receded, “not into Jacques Cartier (2010), Alan Gordon bicultural symbol.”3 And, in describing this obscurity but to the periphery.”6 documents an ebb and flow in the centu- era of historiography, Trigger notes that ries-long manipulation of Cartier’s image Many English Canadian historians What’s in a Name? by a diverse array of professionals with sought to promote national unity by Renditions and Redactions special interests. Gordon delves into how urging their readers to honour the brave The Cartier myth remains alive and well historians have exploited the Cartier brand, men and women of that period [the so- in Canada. A variety of Canadian govern- and discusses how politicians, bureaucrats, called ‘Heroic Age’] as the founders not mental and non-governmental sources still government agencies, church leaders, non- only of New France but of modern 4 promote highly sanitized renditions of his profit groups and tourism businesses have Canada as well. legacy. For example, while mainstream all profited from fictive narratives that Champlain and Jesuit missionaries narratives often remember Cartier as a key capitalise on the glorious myths still float- were “lauded” by English-speaking histo- figure in the story of how Canada got its ing around Cartier. rians, says Trigger, “as stalwart men who name, they often remove from the record In the early 1800s, narratives about sacrificed their lives to prevent New France any mention whatsoever of Cartier’s role Cartier were used to serve the political as- from being overrun by savages.” In so do- in the kidnapping, extended captivity and pirations of Quebec nationalists. By “in- ing, he says, they provided a model of heroic deeds in enslavement of Aboriginal people. venting Cartier as a national historical which later generations of Canadians, While noting that Cartier “is usu- hero,” says Gordon, “nineteenth-century regardless of their ethnic origins, ally credited with discovering Canada,” French Canadians were also inventing an mother tongue, or religious creed, can the Canadian Encyclopedia tells us that identity for themselves.” During the latter take particular pride. Cartier “was the first explorer of the Gulf half of 19th century, there was a “sudden The heroes of New France were venerated of St Lawrence.” By declaring that Car- and massive outpouring of representations “in true Victorian fashion” with “volumi- tier “discovered one of the world’s great of Jacques Cartier” which Gordon dubs nous publications,…poems, paintings, … rivers,”7 this popular mainstream source “Cartiermania.” While the “creators” and sculptures,” plaques, statues and shrines, continues the longstanding tradition of “guardians” of this “Cartier cult … sprang and “impressed on the minds of children 8 Press for Conversion! (Issue # 69) Fall 2017 collective Canadian ignorance and amne- took hold on theirs and suddenly leapt Not surprisingly, various Govern- sia. The myth that Cartier “discovered” the into it, with two or three more, who ment of Canada websites prefer the ex- 11 St. Lawrence, turns a blind eye to the fact enforced them to enter into our ships. traordinarily deceitful rendition of history After Cartier had “entertained them that the river had already been well ex- that expunges Cartier’s role in ushering in very freely, making them eat and drink” plored by countless generations of native the long Canadian tradition of holding In- (likely alcohol), they were bribed with trin- peoples who had been occupying the re- digenous peoples captive. For instance, the kets. Cartier then told Donnacona that “we gion for many thousands of years. government’s Canadian Heritage website would take two of his children with us.” In July 1534, upon making land- has a page called the “Origin of the Name The chief’s two sons, who Cartier says “we fall, possibly near Gaspé, Cartier erected — Canada.” It repeats the often-heard leg- had detained to take with us,”12 were ren- a 30-foot cross with a “fleur-de-luce”- end from Cartier’s second voyage: emblazoned shield and the words “Vive le dered captive and taken away from their In 1535, two Indian Youths told Jacques Roi de France.” With this symbolic magic, family, community and country to France. Cartier about the route to ‘kanata.’ They Cartier laid claim to the land for France, Throughout Canadian history, popular were referring to the village of Stada- while reserving its inhabitants’ souls for sources of fiction such as history textbooks cona; ‘kanata’ was simply the Huron- and encyclopedia’s have either removed Iroquois word for ‘village’ or ‘settle- Catholicism. An 1865 history textbook ment.’ But for want of another name, called A School History of Canada this all reference to Cartier’s kidnapping of Indigenous peoples, or excused these Cartier used ‘Canada’ to refer not only giant cross with its royal inscription was to …, but also to the entire emblematic of the new sovereignty of crimes with the rationales that commonly area subject to its chief, Donnacona.18 France in America. Thus was accom- afflicted Eurocentric racists. (See “Cana- This innocent-sounding Heritage- plished a most memorable event; and dian History Books as Captivating Works Canada tale appears verbatim on other thus was Canada silently and uncon- of Fiction,” p.15.) government websites, including those cel- sciously incorporated into a mighty During his second visit to empire. ebrating Quebec’s 400th anniversary “Canada,” Cartier exploited Donnacona’s 19 20 This rendition, in a section called “Carti- (2008) and Canada’s 150th (2017). sons as translators and guides. His journal er’s Discovery of Canada,” then states that Left unsaid in these sanitized ren- refers to them as “the two savages we had the cross raising “completed that three-fold ditions is the fact that the story’s “two In- captured on our first voyage” and the “two act of discovery in America,” which dian Youths” were actually Donnacona’s men we had seized on our former voy- “placed ... on a vast unknown continent, kidnapped sons whom Cartier had by then age.”14 Cartier had also used his captives the symbols of the sovereignty of three of been holding captive for more than a year. as objects of curiosity in France, where the greatest nations of Europe.” Spain, Parks Canada (PC) has also helped they met an untimely death five years later. England and France, this history text said, shield Canadians from the embarrassing There are, of course, gravely con- planted each their foot upon the virgin fact that Donnacona’s sons were kid- soil of a new world, eager to develop flicting renditions of these pivotal events napped. Stating that “in 1534, Jacques upon a broad and open field the indus- in Canadian history. The Canadian Ency- Cartier encountered several Amerindians try and enterprise of their separate na- clopedia whitewashes the rendition of near the present-day city of Gaspé,” the tionalities. these two young men by telling us that in PC story says Cartier “returned to France Cartier’s symbolic capture of 1534, after “planting a cross and engag- with two young members of this group.”21 Canada for France was recorded in the first ing in some trading and negotiations, Carti- The PC staff responsible for such extant narrative of the event, which histo- er’s ships left … with two of the Iroquois redactions of history should read their own rians such as Ramsay Cook believe is chief Donnacona’s sons and returned to “Code of Ethics.” It says that “All Parks 15 “probably based on a ship’s log … by the France.” This popular source also claims Canada employees must be open and hon- 8 captain, Cartier, himself.” In this original that the chief “agreed to let his sons est in their dealings with the public, stake- version — The Voyages of Jacques Car- Domagaya and Taignoagy return with Car- holders and other organizations.” It also 16 tier — the giant cross and royal shield were tier to France.” This shameless version states that PC “employees contribute in a raised “in the presence of” many members strikes from history that the original record fundamental way to good government, to of a “great multitude of wild men.” Re- of Cartier’s voyages used the words democracy and to Canadian society.”22 markably, these 200 “men, women and “seized,” “captured” and “detained” to In 1535, during his second visit, 9 children,” in about 40 boats, had jour- describe the deception and force used to Cartier set another powerful example for neyed 700 kilometres from the town of “take” the brothers from their father in future Canadians by using deception and Stadacona, where now stands. 1534. This leading Canadian encyclope- force to seize even more Indians as hos- Cartier’s account says the Stadaco- dia also ignores the obvious fact that once tages. This second case of kidnapping was nan chief, Donnacona, “made us a long ha- his sons’ kidnapping was a fait accompli, also preceded by the raising of a huge cru- rangue … that we ought not to have set up Donnacona had no real choice when he is cifix. The 35-foot cross featured a shield this cross without his permission.” Cartier said to have “agreed” to their captivity. with France’s coat of arms, and words pro- then described the trickery he used to lure The Historical Encyclopedia of claiming the sovereignty of King Francis. Donnacona and his sons close enough to World Slavery is blunt but accurate in as- Cartier’s own diary says he lured forcibly render them captive on his ship: sessing this key incident. It says Donnacona and others into captivity. Af- [W]hen he finished his harangue, we French enslavement of Native Ameri- ter enticing them to “eat and drink as held up an axe to him, pretending we cans began in 1534 when Jacques Car- would barter it …. and little by little tier seized several Native Americans on usual,” Cartier used what he called a [he] drew near the side of our vessel.10 his first expedition to the New World “pretty prank … to take their lord Douna- One of our fellows, ... in our boat, and carried two to France.17 cona, Taignoagny, Domagaia, and some Fall 2017 (Issue # 69) Press for Conversion! 9 Armed Forces and the highest authority within this country’s heraldic system. The symbolic “badge” of the HMCS Donnacona was confirmed with Letters Patent from the Canadian Heral- dic Authority in 2009.30 This occurred just in time for that year’s 475th anniversary festivities heralding Cartier’s landfall in Gaspé, where he kidnapped Donnacona’s sons. Canada’s then Governor General — former CBC journalist Michaëlle Jean — issued a statement saying she was “de- In 1534, Chief Donnacona’s sons lighted” to “celebrate” Cartier’s arrival. became the first Indigenous cap- “What our history books teach us of Carti- tives of the French in Canada. A er’s first expedition in 1534 has become year later, Cartier seized Donna- the stuff of legend,” she noted. Ironically, cona, rekidnapped his two sons, she then built upon the deceitful “legend” seized six other chiefs and a girl of Canadian multiculturalism by speaking and took them to France. By 1541, nine of Cartier’s ten prisoners were dead. of Cartier’s “cordial relations with the St. The Donnacona Institution is now a maximum security prison near Quebec City. Lawrence Iroquoians.” Governor General Jean then continued the coverup of Carti- more of the chiefest of them prisoners ... Although this well-varnished ren- er’s role as kidnapper by saying that he 23 to bring them into France.” When Donna- dition of history quaintly notes “two Na- “returned to France with two of Donnaco- cona and the other chiefs were seized, the tive braves” that Cartier “took back with na’s sons, Domagaya and Taignoagny.”31 “Canadians ... began to flee and scamper him,” it holds Canadians captive with a Although noting that “certain as- 24 off like sheep before wolves.” Cartier’s deceitful story that cleverly excludes all pects of the story are open to interpreta- journal notes how, after his troops “laid mention of European trickery and vio- tion,” Jean did not elaborate. Instead, her up the prisoners under good guard and lence, or the kidnapping and death of their speech disguised the truth of Cartier’s safety,” the Stadaconans lined the shore Indigenous hostages. crimes with a torrent of effusive babble “striking their breasts, and crying and DND presents this sanitised ver- about the “joyful celebrations of culture 25 howling like wolves” through the night. sion on a webpage about the HMCS and the blending of cultures highlighting Donnacona, a Navy Reserve division of this historic date for the Gaspé Peninsula Canada’s First 200 sailors in . Although using and all of Canada …” But the duplicity in and First Prisoners the title HMCS (“Her Majesty’s Canadian rendering a laundered version of Cartier’s By 1541, when Cartier made his third and Ship”), the Donnacona is not a ship, but a crime didn’t end there. Jean had the au- last trip to “Canada,” nine of his ten Indi- land-based naval unit, or so-called “Stone dacity to conclude this set of lies with a genous prisoners, excepting one young Frigate.” It was deployed in the Iraq (1991) pretentious and hypocritical appeal for girl, had died in France. While he admit- and Afghan (2001) wars, in various NATO honesty! The Cartier “celebrations,” she ted to the Stadaconans that chief Donna- operations and, quite insultingly, in the said, “provide us with the opportunity to cona was dead, Cartier lied about the sorry 28 Oka crisis over Indigenous land (1990). further our understanding of our history fate of the others he had kidnapped, say- Its official symbol contains maple and seek out the truth, two conditions nec- ing they were all married and living in leaves arising from clasped red and white essary for respect and harmony.”32 France “as great Lords.”26 hands. This cordial handshake, says DND, A few weeks later, Jean had a per- Like Cartier, who lied to cover up is used to “commemorate the meeting be- fect symbolic opportunity to make a cor- the deaths of his prisoners, Canada’s gov- tween Chief Donnacona and Jacques Car- rection to her flawed rendition of the Car- ernment continues — 500 years later — tier at Stadacona.” Meanwhile, the “ma- tier-Donnacona “legend.” The occasion to deceive citizens by redacting Cartier’s ple leaves are from the arms of Canada was an awards ceremony in Quebec City, crimes from official narratives. For exam- and indicate that the name ‘Canada’ came where as Governor General she handed out ple, in a camouflaged tale of how Canada 29 from the Iroquoian word ‘Kenneta.’” So “Corrections Exemplary Service Medals” got its name, the Department of National says the official government “Register of to eight employees of a maximum-secu- Defence (DND) avoids the truth saying: Arms, Flags and Badges” of the Canadian rity prison called ... the Donnacona Insti- When Jacques Cartier returned to Heraldic Authority. (See opposite page.) France from his first voyage to tution! This would certainly have been a Heraldry, with origins in the for- America, he took back with him two good moment to mention the injustice of Native braves. They returned to malized symbolic conventions that iden- Cartier’s imprisonment of Donnacona, his America with Cartier on his second tified mediaeval knights whose identities sons, various chiefs and Indigenous chil- voyage and acted as guides. They told were hidden by battle armour, is equally dren. Despite her geographic proximity to Cartier about the settlements of Stada- concerned with the fineries of military rank the 475-year-old crime scene where cona and [site of present- and protocol. As the key representative of Donnacona was taken prisoner, Canada’s day Montreal] … and referred to them Britain’s monarchy, the Governor General by the Huron-Iroquois word Kenneta, Governor General did not seize the “op- is Commander-in-Chief of Canada’s which means ‘a habitation.’27 portunity” to correct her obfuscations of 10 Press for Conversion! (Issue # 69) Fall 2017 this country’s sanitised his- Imperial Motives third voyage spelled out a formula for di- torical record. Criminal Precedents viding the spoils that were expected from To be fair, the fault and Religious Excuses the conquest. The King’s new license said probably lies with Jean’s Cartier’s brazen use of de- one “third of all the movable gains and speech writers. The ception and armed profits proceeding from the said voyage, Governor General force to capture Abo- army, and expedition,” were to be divided may have had no riginal “Canadian” among those who took part. This includ- real idea of the captives exempli- ing Cartier, who was the fleet’s admiral irony in her fies his legacy as and chief navigator. Another third, said the words and ac- a paragon of King, “We have reserved ... for Ourself.”39 tions. Those en- criminality who The final portion was for the King’s friend slaved by myths brought Europe’s and fellow nobleman, Jean-François de La about Canada’s culture of imperi- Rocque de Roberval, a pirate and profes- multicultural val- alism to North sional soldier who became the first Lieu- ues, and captivated America. As one of tenant General in France’s first colony.40 by the blanched ver- Canada’s founding Although the French king had been sions of our criminal criminals, Cartier’s ac- informed of the “abundance of good fish” history, cannot see the tions set powerful legal and “[a]nimals whose hides as leather are shame in a federal prison and political precedents worth ten cruzados each,” he was also told bearing the name of Chief The HMCS Donnacona for the evolution of our fanciful myths about “Canada.” For exam- Donnacona, whose sons was deployed in Iraq, “Peaceable Kingdom.” ple, Lagarto says Donnacona told the were the first known “Ca- Afghanistan & the Cartier journals con- French king that “Canada” had an “abun- nadian” prisoners. And who tain confessions of imperial dance of clove, nutmeg, and pepper,” as better to put a trustworthy “Oka crisis” over crimes which reveal the mo- well as “oranges and pomegranates.” If face on Canada’s history of Indigenous land tives behind them, the means Donnacona did tell Francis these tall tales, racist captivity than Jean, a used to commit them, and the he was perhaps lying in order to expedite former CBC personality descended from benevolent alibis used in their justification. his return home as a valuable guide to these slaves in Haiti, another former French In March 1533, when Francis I false riches. Fabrications about gold, sil- colony? Further irony regarding this ig- gave permission and funding for Cartier’s ver and spices were also apparently flesh- norance about Canada’s criminal heroes initial voyage, he launched France’s over- ed out in Donnacona’s phantasmagorical is that while Jean has 12 honourary PhDs seas empire. Cartier’s royal contract stated accounts of people “possessing no anus” — in everything from philosophy, litera- the king’s intent that Cartier “discover cer- who “never eat nor digest,” and others with ture, foreign relations and military science tain islands and countries where it is said “only one leg,” as well as “men who fly, — five of her doctorates are in law.33 that a great abundance of gold and other having wings on their arms like bats.”41 The breathtaking abandon with precious things is to be found.”34 Like the Spanish and Portuguese which high-ranking government officials Cartier’s greed for material wealth monarchs whose slave traders were turn a blind eye to basic facts of Canada’s is clear from the narrative of his second spreading their mercantile tentacles around criminal history is, unfortunately, just the voyage, which admits his decision to “out- the world, King Francis would have been tip of the cultural iceberg. The long- wit” the Stadaconans and “seize their interested in finding profitable sources of standing truth of Canada’s whole legal sys- leader.” Cartier’s diary says he decided “to able-bodied people. During his first voy- tem is that “First Nations” are also “First take Donnacona to France” because he age, in which he described Labrador as Prisoners.” And, like state captives uncer- wanted the chief to tell King Francis that “the land God gave to Cain,” Cartier re- emoniously thrown into solitary confine- “there are immense quantities of gold, ru- ported that “[t]here are people on this coast ment, the long Canadian tradition of im- bies, and other rich things” in “Canada.”35 whose bodies are fairly well formed, but prisoning Indigenous peoples has been The ploy worked. In 1539, a navi- they are a wild and savage folk.”42 thrown down the nation’s memory hole. gator named Joao Lagarto reported to his In describing the wealth of Once this history is secured out of monarch, John III of Portugal, that “the “Canada,” Cartier often combined his ac- sight and mind behind the prison-like walls King of France says the Indian King counts of physical riches with accounts of of cultural amnesia, it is difficult to release [Donnacona] told him there … are many human resources, which added potential it to the light of day. Successive govern- mines of gold and silver in great abundance for acquiring religious converts. For ex- ments and civil-society groups have aided …”36 Two years later, when describing the ample, in introducing his second voyage, and abetted the cleansing of historical French armed forces being assembled for Cartier told the king “you will learn and memory — not only of the extraordinary Cartier’s third expedition, a Spanish spy hear of their fertility and richness, of the renditions of Donnacona’s time, but of the wrote, “When the members of the said immense numbers of peoples living many thousands of Indigenous prisoners army have arrived on land, they will search there….” Cartier then assured the monarch and slaves who have been held by Euro- for gold and silver mines.”37 that he and his men were filled “with the peans during the succeeding five centu- Cartier’s account of that voyage sure hope of the future increase of our most ries. The struggle to correct false rendi- noted that his captives told “the King that holy faith and of your possessions …”43 tions of history, and to redress the legacy there were great riches”38 in Canada. With In the commission for Cartier’s of Canada’s crimes, is ongoing. this in mind, the King’s contract for the third voyage, the King similarly mixed up Fall 2017 (Issue # 69) Press for Conversion! 11 “Divide and Conquer” with and other Weapons Christianity provided linguistic tools to pen people into opposing groups, namely, the Divine and the Demonic. This is illus- trated in a 1538 list of “men and supplies … that the King wished to send to Canada” for Cartier’s third voyage. The “great King Francis” was said to be full of “piety, mag- nanimity, and open-heartedness” because, “notwithstanding that wars had exhausted his finances,” was “in a state of peace” and wanted “to establish the Christian Religion in a country of Savages at the other end of the world.”47 His goal was said to be the “winning over of an infinite number of souls to God” to gain “their liberation from the domination and tyranny of the infer- nal Demon, to whom they used to sacri- fice even their own Children.”48 This apocryphal language of de- monisation, with its bogus accusations of child sacrifice, typified the witch hunts then rife in Europe, where the Catholic mo- nopoly on truth was being challenged. But what Cartier called “winning over … souls collage: richard sanders to God” from “the infernal Demon” re- quired more than just official, hate litera- ture. Religious laws had to be enforced by state-sanctioned acts of ultraviolence. Cartier’s support for the imposition Upon discovering the decadent palace of King Francis I at Chambord, of religious superiority using state sanc- they put up a few teepees and tried to share their understanding tioned violence, including execution, is of spirituality and civilisation with the chiefs of Europe’s tribes. found in his account of the second voyage to Canada (1535-1536). This may be the references to material “commodities” with Seizing Indigenous captives served first document about “Canada” to incite mention of “peoples,” captives and reli- the imperial intent of early conquerors like hatred against identifiable groups and to gious converts. He noted, for instance, that Columbus and Cartier. Besides using them support their execution. Telling Francis I “the lands of Canada and Hochelaga” are as objects of curiosity in Europe’s royal that “we have seen this most holy faith of provided with several valuable com- courts, and to attest to the richness of newly ours in the struggle against wicked her- modities and the peoples of those coun- “discovered” lands, native hostages could etics and false law-makers,” Cartier dot- tries [are] well formed of body and limb be urged to inspire royal funding for fol- ingly congratulated the king for all “the and well endowed in mind and under- low-up expeditions on which they were ex- good regulations and orders you have in- standing of whom he [Cartier] brought back at the same time a certain number ploited as guides and translators. stituted throughout your territories and whom We have had kept for a long time And, imperial purposes were also kingdom.” Bluntly described the enemies and instructed in our said holy faith.44 served by having a few initial native hos- of Catholicism as “wicked Lutherans, This is similar to a passage in tages convert to Christianity. Upon their apostates, and imitators of Mahomet,” Car- Columbus’ 1492 journal which told return, these early religious captives tier applauded the use of “capital punish- Spain’s monarchs about the physical and helped spread Europe’s invasive culture ment” against these “infants of Satan.”49 mental qualities of “Indians” and remarks amongst the enemy population. King Fran- Fresh in Cartier’s mind when pen- on their capture, conversion and commodi- cis noted that Cartier ning this fanatical invective may have been fication as “servants”: brought to Us from those countries vari- the “Affair of the Placards” (1534-1535). “They are all of a good size and stat- ous men whom We have kept for a long During this offensive, hundreds were ar- ure, and handsomely formed …. It ap- time in our kingdom having them in- rested and dozens burned at the stake for pears to me, that the people are ingen- structed in the love and fear of God and the crime of putting up anti-Catholic post- of His holy law and Christian doctrine ious, and would be good servants and I ers. The French king’s savage persecution am of opinion that they would very in the intention of having them taken readily become Christians …. If it back to the said countries, …in order of dissidents culminated in 1545, the same please our Lord, I intend ... to carry more easily to lead the other peoples year that Cartier’s second journal was pub- home six of them to your Highnesses, of those countries to believe in our holy lished. That year, Francis launched a cru- that they may learn our language.”45 faith.46 (Emphasis added.) sade against Waldensian “heretics” in 12 Press for Conversion! (Issue # 69) Fall 2017 southeast France. While about 8,000 of Correcting Official Narratives ever violent means they needed to usurp these Protestants were slaughtered, 700 One of the only Canadian government the riches of the “New World.” Canada’s survivors were imprisoned and then sold websites that mentions Cartier’s stockpile official history also conveniently forgets into slavery aboard French galleys.50 of weapons is the Canadian Military His- that European conquerors were blessed Cartier took good advantage of the tory Gateway. This project of the Directo- with religious doctrines to justify the cap- king’s willingness to force prisoners into rate of History and Heritage at the Depart- tivity, enslavement and murder of Indig- labour aboard French warships. Two docu- ment of National Defence (DND) contains enous peoples because they were consid- ments from October 1540 detail the king’s the online version of a three-volume set ered not only culturally inferior, but also orders that 50 inmates be provided for called Canadian Military Heritage. This savage, animalistic and even demonic. Cartier’s third voyage. Cartier was given colourful picture book is the official ver- Although Cabot and Cartier epito- his choice of “prisoners accused of or sion of Canada’s military history. The au- mise the religious brand of predatory im- charged with any crime whatsoever,” ex- thor, Serge Bernier, began his history train- perialism that reigned in Britain and cept for “crimes of heresy … against God,” ing with a BA from Canada’s Royal Mili- France, this stark reality has been largely “lese-majesty” [i.e., offending the king’s tary College and “ended his military ca- whitewashed from official versions of Ca- dignity] and “counterfeiters.”51 While reer as a historian in uniform” at the DND nada’s history. Thanks in no small part to these brands of inmates could not be Directorate of History in Ottawa. He then government-issued fictions, many gener- trusted on Cartier’s mission of imperial became DND’s Senior Historian and Di- ations of Canadians never learned that, conquest and religious conversion in rector of History and Heritage.56 from its creation, the “Canada” project was Canada, murderers were welcomed. One section in this official history driven by the European elite’s unquench- Cartier also engaged certain “gen- is called “Voyages of Discovery.” In it able quest for power, glory and wealth. tlemen” who, like the prisoners, were com- Bernier quotes from 16th-century docu- Driven by raw greed, warmongering pelled to join his voyage. According to the ments, but leaves out all references to Car- French and English monarchs facilitated Spanish spy who described Cartier’s ex- tier as the military the excursions of pi- pedition, these men included “two unfor- front man in the Official myths about Cartier ratical “explorers” tunates from Brittany who have commit- French king’s plans still whitewash his role in the and tasked them to ted some killing, for which they will do of conquest for “Ca- kidnapping, enslavement claim dominion over the lands, peo- penance on this voyage,” and another who nada.” Instead, the and deception of Indigenous “was sentenced to go on this voyage be- DND’s fabrication ples and wealth of cause … he insulted” several aristocrats.52 uncritically de- leaders. As one of Canada’s the “New World.” Besides enlisting prisoners and scribes Cartier’s so- founding criminals, Cartier For centuries, their “gentlemen” guilty of murder and insult- called “discovery” helped set the genocidal crimes were cloaked ing nobles, Cartier’s forces also included of Canada by saying: course of our colonial history. in pious-sounding “men at arms.” These professional soldiers [T]he land claims religious rationales of Cartier’s “army” were blessed with Eu- made by Cartier in the St. Lawrence that were overtly racist, xenophobic and rope’s deadliest weapons. This is revealed Valley were recognized in Europe, culturally narcissistic. where the territories that he discovered in the “List of Men and Effects for Canada” After 500 years, many Canadians were identified on maps as New France. are still so enamoured by the fiction that (1538), which stated that Similarly, Canada’s official history munitions of war must be taken to be passes as official history that they are blind notes that after Cabot sighted land on June landed and installed in the Forts, includ- to this country’s deeply rooted criminal or- 24, 1497, he “took possession of his dis- ing Artillery [cannons] and Arquebuses igins. The crimes of kidnapping, slavery covery for England ....” The government’s [muzzle-loaded firearms] …, Pikes and theft from Indigenous peoples are the [thrusting spears used by infantry], Hal- childish history then gives a defensive- most deeply rooted. Following in the cen- berds [long-handled axes topped with sounding rationale for why great heroes turies-old cultural tradition of treating In- a spike], Lead, Cannon-balls, Shot & like Cabot and Cartier armed their crews 53 dians as outcastes and outlaws, Canadian and other munitions. with the deadliest of weapons available: Reporting to the Spanish court, a It would have been unthinkable for “Correctional facilities” have always been spy estimated the quantities of weapons these intrepid explorers to set out in disproportionately filled with Indigenous involved saying that Cartier was search of unknown lands, inhabited prisoners. (See “Indigenous Prisons and taking a great deal of good artillery, ... possibly by natives of unknown dispo- Slave Labour Today,” p.43.) four hundred arquebuses, two hundred sition, but presumably hostile, without Many “corrections” are still need- bucklers [shields], two hundred cross- ensuring a minimum of security through ed to rid Canada of the structural violence bows, and more than a thousand pikes effective weapons and men who knew and systemic racism that has evolved here and halberds.54 how to handle and maintain them. over the past five centuries. One step in He also noted that “soldiers and mariners Therefore, the sailors from all the Eu- this process is to revise our understanding will carry ... bucklers, because the savages ropean nations who signed on for these of history and to do away with national ... shoot with bows.” If this wasn’t enough, expeditions had to be able to become men-at-arms when danger threatened.57 creation myths that portray Cartier and more ammunition and weapons could be (Emphasis added.) Cabot as heroic founders of Canada. We made because Cartier’s ships carried “fifty Excised from such simplistic gov- should instead acknowledge them as the barrels full of iron and all the tools and ernment narratives of history is the fact that official founding criminals of this fictive instruments needed for ten ironworkers Europe’s warmongering royal patrons em- nation which has been built on a captivat- and smiths whom they are taking.”55 powered Cabot and Cartier to use what- ing web of myths that continue to deceive. Fall 2017 (Issue # 69) Press for Conversion! 13 References voyage,” March 18, 1533. Reprinted in commission, January 15, 1540. In Biggar, ibid., p.135. 1. Bruce Trigger, Natives and Newcomers: Biggar, op. cit., p.117. 45. Christopher Columbus, Journal, October Canada’s ‘Heroic Age’ Reconsidered, 1985, 35. “Cartier’s Second Voyage,” Reprinted in 11, 1492. p.5. Biggar, ibid., p.82. 36. Letter from Lagarto to John the Third, King tinyurl.com/y7aswa44 books.google.ca/books?id=fchA2Ker1vQC 46. “Cartier’s Commission...,” In Biggar, op. 2. Alan Gordon, The Hero and the Histori- of Portugal, 22 January 1539. Proceedings cit., p.135. ans: Historiography and the Uses of of the Canadian Institute (1849-1914), 47. Ibid., p.126. Jacques Cartier, 2010, pp.3, 72. 1935. p.8. books.google.ca/books?id=fYFSAAAAQBAJ tinyurl.com/y8bhx9jv 48. “List of Men & Effects for Canada,” Sep- 3. Ibid, p.156. 37. “Secret Report on Cartier’s Expedition: tember 1538. In Biggar, ibid. 4. Trigger, op. cit, p.6. Report by a Spanish Spy on Jacques Carti- 49. Biggar, ibid., p.37. 5. Ibid. er’s Preparations,” April 1541. Reprinted 50. R.J.Knecht, Francis I, 1984. tinyurl.com/y8neu5gv 6. Gordon, op. cit., pp.176, 187. in Biggar, ibid., p.152. 51. “Cartier’s Commission...,” and “Letters 38. “Cartier’s Third Voyage.” Reprinted in 7. Marcel Trudel, “Jacques Cartier,” The Ca- Patent from the Duke of Brittany empow- Biggar, ibid., p.97. nadian Encyclopedia, 1988. ering Cartier to take prisoners from the tinyurl.com/y87w4por 39. “Roberval’s commission,” January 15, gaols,” October 20, 1540. In Biggar, op. 8. Ramsay Cook, “Donnacona Discovers 1540. Reprinted in Biggar, ibid., p.147. cit., p.139. Europe: Rereading Jacques Cartier’s Voy- 40. Robert la Roque de Roquebrune, “Jean- 52. “Secret Report...,” ibid., p.153. ages.” In H.P.Biggar (trans. and ed.), The François de la Rocque de Roberval,” Dic- 53. “List of Men & Effects …,” ibid., p.128 Voyages of Jacques Cartier, 1993. tionary of Canadian Biography. 54. “Secret Report...,” ibid., p.154. tinyurl.com/yb7e5h36 www.biographi.ca/en/bio.php?id_nbr=396 55. Ibid., pp.152, 154. 9. John Pinkerton, A general collection of the 41. “Letter from Lagarto ...” op. cit. 42. “Cartier’s First Voyage,” Biggar, ibid., 56. Fonds 97/4 - Serge Bernier fonds best and most interesting voyages and trav- www.archeion.ca/serge-bernier-fonds els in various parts of the World, Volume p.10. 57. “Voyages of Discovery,” Chapter 2: Sol- 2, 1819, pp.636-637. 43. Ibid., pp.37-38. diers of the Sixteenth Century, Canadian books.google.ca/books?id=-icZaHu5QAsC 44. “Cartier’s Commission for his third voy- Military History Gateway. 10. Henry P.Biggar, op. cit., p.26. age,” 17 October 1540, and Roberval’s www.cmhg.gc.ca/cmh/page-17-eng.asp 11. Pinkerton, op. cit., p.638. 12. Ibid. 13. Henry H.Miles, The History of Canada Some of COAT’s 2017 Research Online Under French Régime, 1535-1763, 1872, Making a Killing through the CPP! p.6. tinyurl.com/y92yv8xc Holding Stock in War Profiteers 14. Biggar, op. cit., pp.43, 49. and Canada’s Peace Mythology 15. Trudel, op. cit. hen wars are launched, or flashy 16. Donnacona, Canadian Encyclopedia tinyurl.com/y9f66z27 new missiles fired, investor confi- 17. Lori Lee, “Enslavement of Native Ameri- Wdence in the arms trade soars like can Peoples,” The Historical Encyclopedia a rocket, and so do profits. Canada Pension of World Slavery, 1997. Junius P. Rodriguez Plan (CPP) investments now include $1.4 bil- (editor) lion worth of stocks in many of the world’s tinyurl.com/y7ot9u2q 18. Origin of the Name - Canada largest warmongers. As far as the CPP Invest- tinyurl.com/lrejapw ment Board is concerned, the bigger the war 19. Origin of the Name - Canada industry the better. The CPP has stakes in 41% quebec400.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/symbl/o5- eng.cfm of the top 100 arms companies, 48% of the 20. National Symbols top 50, 80% of the top 20, and all of the canada150.gc.ca/eng/1344342322819 world’s top 10 weapons manufacturers. 21. The St. Lawrence Iroquoians Join us online for info about your cur- tinyurl.com/yb7u3qlt rent CPP investments in war profiteers. 22. Code of Ethics, Parks Canada Agency

tinyurl.com/yd7shtyw richard sanders http://coat.ncf.ca 23. Pinkerton, op. cit., p.661. 24. Biggar, op. cit., p.84. Minister Freeland and her Grandfather the Nazi Propagandist 25. Pinkerton, op. cit., p.662. 26. Biggar, op. cit., p.98. 27. HMCS Donnacona tinyurl.com/ya255vax 28. Ibid. grand- 29. Ibid. father 30. Ibid. 31. Michaëlle Jean, Message on the occasion of the 475th anniversary of Jacques Carti- n the spirit of truth and reconciliation, throughout Europe during WWII. COAT’s er’s arrival in Gaspé, July 23, 2009. COAT produced a report investigating 25,000-word report, with 150 graphics and tinyurl.com/y9yzdh5x 32. Ibid. Ithe politics of Foreign Minister Chrys- 200 footnotes, reveals many details of 33. Michaëlle Jean, Wikipedia tia Freeland and her beloved maternal Freeland’s longstanding ties to far-right en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michaëlle_Jean grandfather, Michael Chomiak, who was Ukrainian organisations and publications 34. “Grant of money to Cartier for his first Hitler’s leading Ukrainian propagandist linked to fascist collaborators and the CIA. 14 Press for Conversion! (Issue # 69) Fall 2017