Dead Reckoning: Champlain in America | PBS LearningMedia

Learn about local history with the Dead Reckoning: Champlain in America collection. Examine the significance of French explorer Samuel de Champlain’s expeditions to North America, where, aided by the Indigenous peoples he encountered, he searched for the Northwest Passage, a trade route to China. Follow Champlain as he makes repeated journeys back to North America, where he would create permanent settlements in what was called New France, one of which became Quebec City.

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Dead Reckoning: Champlain in America collection

Grades 6-12
Examine the significance of French explorer Samuel de Champlain’s interactions with the indigenous people of North America as he searched for a trade route to China. Students will follow Champlain as he makes his first contact with a large encampment of Innu, or Montagnais, as the French referred to the inhabitants of North America. Then, as Champlain makes repeated journeys back to North America, examine the interactions and alliances he formed with the Innu, agreeing to aide them in their war against the Iroquois in exchange for living on their land and trading with their people. Champlain would create permanent settlements in what was called New France, one of which become Quebec City.

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