In the early 17th century, the beaver pelt trade created a rivalry among the French, English and Dutch in North America. The European powers vied for alliances with the Native peoples. While the English and Dutch tried to attract Natives to their trading posts, the French chose a different approach - travelling to where the Natives lived, learning their languages and customs, and converting them to Christianity.

In 1608, Samuel de Champlain moved up the Saint Lawrence to establish the first upriver trading post. The French wanted an alliance with the Algonquin tribes to counteract the Dutch influence with the Iroquois to the south.

22 year old Jean Nicollet arrived in Quebec in 1618. He had been hired to live among the Algonquins, Iroquois and Hurons in order to encourage them to collect furs to trade with the French.

Few Europeans learned about Canada's First Peoples by living among them and sharing their day-to-day life the way Jean Nicollet did.