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Jacques Cartier's crew offered knives and iron goods to the Mi'kmaq on July 7, 1
1534 Event

July 7

First European-Native Exchange on Canada's Coast

Jacques Cartier's crew offered knives and iron goods to the Mi'kmaq on July 7, 1534. The Mi'kmaq responded by lifting furs on sticks, signaling trade. Within hours, they'd exchanged everything—the French stripped to their shirts, the Mi'kmaq paddling away with European metal. The Mi'kmaq had traded with Norse centuries before and knew metal's value. But Cartier claimed the land for France anyway, planting a cross nine days later. The Mi'kmaq understood the trade. They just didn't realize they were also negotiating for their continent.

July 7, 1534

492 years ago

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