Canadian heri early ambassador knew how to dress for success WHICH PRECURSOR to the legendary coureur de bois, helped establish trade with the native people. but failed in his dream of finding a passage to China? By Marsha Boulton Contributing Writer Twenty-year-old Jean Nicollet was fresh from his studies in Paris when he arrived in Quebec in 1618 ~ with a handful of. fellow citizens and four priests. . He had been hired to live among the native people, and to encourage them to collect furs to trade with the French... In the esrly 17th century, the besver pelt trade created a heated rivalry.among the French, English and Dutch. While the English and Dutch :_ tied to attract native people to their: “trading posts,-the French lived among them, learning their lan- guages and customs, and converting them to Christianity. <. Samuel de Champiain, who had "established the first up-river trading .. "post on the: St. Lawrence, sent. ‘Nicollet, to ‘Allumentte'Istand, a « Strategic outpost on: n the ‘Ottawa a friendly relations with the Algonkian, an alliance the French needed to counteract the Dutch influence with the Iroquois to the south. Fer Nicollet jt meant entering a strange and harsh new life. He accompanied the Algonkian cn canocing, hunting and trapping expeditions — learning their lan- guage and customs in the process. Although the solitude was not easy for the young Parisian, Nicollet’s endurance, resourceful- ness and patience earned him the tespect of the Algonkian. Next he was sent northwest to Lake Nippisins, where he founded a trad- ing post. He spent nine years doing busi- ness with various tribes and jour- neying into the Great Lakes region where he collected precious geo- graphical inforraation. In the spring he sent pelts to Quebec, Since Jacques Cartier’s first expedition in 1534, explorers had dreamed of finding a passage to China that would give Europeans . _@asy access to its spices, silks and "precious metals. One hundred years later, Champlain challenged Nicollet with a dual mission. . . .. The Winnebagocs, whe lived on the western shore. of Lake ‘ Michigan, had strained ‘relations © with the: ‘Algontian and threatened to ally thernselves with the Dutch. Nicoltet was aiso cominissioned .C.’s Best I Available Now at jim Pattison Toyota "88 NISSAN 360 2X Very nicely ~ equipped -rasnss so 0,988 to verify reports of “the great water” called Mississippi. The mighty river was suspected of lead- ing to China. When Nicollet reached the Winnebagoes, the scene may have resembled something out of a slap- stick comedy. The cager explorer was so con- vinced he had reached the gateway to China that he donned a dress of Chinese damask embroidered with colored birds and flowers. Brandishing two pistols, he disem- barked. The Winnebagoes had never seen a European who was dressed to meet Chinese mandarins. However, once they became accustomed to the charming ambas- sador, Nicollet convinced them to join in peaceful trade. . Nicoflet’s “great water” turned out te be Lake Michigan. Others wouid follow to the heart of the continent. In 1642, Nicollet accidentally drowned in the icy waters of the St. Lawrence. Ironically, the adventurer who had spent most of his life travelling the lakes, rivers and streams of the - new world had never learned to swim... This article is part of the CRB Foundation’s Heritage Project. For - more information call 1-800-567- 1867, 3 wYS Liftback, lacat car with low kms. Was $7,935 89 CAMRY. LE V6, auto, loaded & spottess wes $16.95 se 19,888 Kaw $0,088 HONDA ACCORDS 2 in stock oom 12,488 Sunday, | March 27, 1994 ~ North Shore News - 27 Sioet ta thy SALA RL IELTS PE Now good 7 days a week with LOWER Spring Skiing Ticket Prices. no name, club pack™, boneless, assorted varieties hams 593038 6.57kg fresh celery | akg HD. Bakeshop, package of 12 537903 hot cross buns . Foremost™, 4L jug O17111 medium. - eqgs 611921 Lirnit 1 regular or with bleach, 700 im! Tide Ultra Liquid Enviropak 387748 Conveniently located at. 17" AND LONSDALE, NORTH VANCOUVER Prices in effect until closing Saturday, April 02/94, white stocks last. We reserve the right to limit T quantities.