Color 14 minutes 43 seconds Produced by the National Film Board of

Suggested Uses : History classes in Grades 6 to 10.

Synopsis The film traces the life of Champlain from his first use of the explorer's own words, drawn from his book, journey to Canada in 1603 to his death in in The Travels of Samuel de Champlain. Here is a cine- 1635. By a judicious use of original artwork, inter- matic glimpse into Canada's past which clearly reveals spersed with camera shots of the actual areas visited, why Champlain richly deserves to be called the this vital part of early Canadian history is vividly "Father of New ". recreated. This sense of realism is heightened by the

Concepts

Major Concepts: Samuel de Champlain was simple, straight-forward and devout. He had the immense curiosity, the tenacity and the endurance of the born explorer and colonizer. From the beginning he showed an almost intuitive grasp of the basic problem involved in the founding of French power in the valley of the St. Lawrence. His into the interior, and his determination to establish permanent settlement at Quebec, give to him a position of major importance in the early history of .

Supporting Concepts: Champlain, an observer and geographer, made his first voyage Champlain turned to his work as a geographer. He sailed up the to the on one of the fishing boats that had been St. Lawrence past the Montmorency Falls and finally reached coming to Canada since the time of . the site of Quebec. He met the Montagnais and Algonquin Indians at , a Later he arrived at the Indian village of on the center of the on the St. Lawrence . Island of . An alliance was arranged between these tribes and the King of Champlain, as others before him, sought a passage to the West- France. ern Sea. He thought that beyond the lay such a passage. see over He ended his first voyage at this point and returned to France During the winter he studied Indian ways, observing their to publicize his findings. dress, dances and great hunting expeditions. Back in Canada in 1608, he built his Habitation at Quebec. By now, in the second part of his book, The Travels of Samuel de Champlain, he was able to describe quite accurately the The first winter was a nightmare; only eight survived out of general topography of Quebec. twenty-eight. In 1620 Champlain undertook the construction of Fort Diamant, In the spring, relations were re-established with the Algonquins overlooking the Habitation and the river. and Montagnais. However, colonists whom Champlain had encouraged soon Champlain needed the Indians to support his program of ex- realized that their interests were very secondary to those of the ploration, but they accepted him for military reasons, to make fur merchants. war on their enemies, the . A life harsh and filled with pain was of so little interest to In 1609 Champlain successfully demonstrated his secret weapon, France, that by 1624 the colony at Quebec consisted of fewer the arquebus, a primitive, noisy fire-arm. It had the desired than sixty people. result; the Iroquois turned and fled. In 1627 the colony received a new lease on life when the Com- Champlain continued his explorations. In 1613 he pressed up the pany of the Hundred Associates was founded to put into effect River as far as Allumette Island. In 1615 he followed the Champlain's colonial program. route of the Ottawa to and wintered with the Huron Indians on . In 1629 Quebec was surrended to the English; in 1632 it was returned. Persuaded to assist the Hurons in their war against the Iroquois, Champlain attacked the main fortress of the Onondago, south A fatal illness struck Champlain in October 1635; on Christmas of Lake . Day of that year he died. This time the attack was bungled and the Iroquois did not run. To Champlain must go a major part of the credit for the Champlain, wounded, was carried north to Cahiaque. survival of the French colony at Quebec. The title, Father of New France, is one he richly deserves.

Suggested Class Preparation

Introduction : Directive Questions: The use of this film should grow naturally out of the study of 1. Why did Champlain come to the New World? the early Canadian explorers. A picture of Champlain or his Habitation at Quebec would serve as an effective focus for 2. Why was Tadoussac important? class attention. Although his explorations are quite important, 3. Why did Champlain need an alliance with the Algonquins and particular attention should be given to his work as a colonizer. the Montagnais? Why did they want an alliance with him? 4. What occurred on the journey up the ? 5. What did Champlain write about in his book? Words That May Cause Difficulty: 6. What happened at Champlain's second battle with the Iroquois iilln 1615.LUXU ?: envoy Montagnais disposition Tadoussac Algonquins scurvy 7. What difficulties did the colonists face at Quebec? 8. How did the French lose Quebec in 1629? How did they regain it in 1632? ordeal arquebus skirmish livres •, What title has Champlain been given?

Suggested Follow-up Activities

1. Take up and discuss the directive questions. 4. Could Champlain have avoided a military alliance with the Al- gonquins? Discuss the long-range implications of this decision. 2. Prepare a map showing the route of Champlain's main explorations. 5. Outline the views of the fur traders, the missionaries, and Champlain, on the purposes of New France. 3. Discuss the relationship of the fur trade to the difficulties at Quebec. 6. Do you think Champlain merits the title, Father of New France?

Distribution Branch National Film Board of Canada P.O. Box 6100, Montreal 3, Que. Printed in Canada