Specimens of the
flora of Canada, 1612
Detail of Champlain's map of New France
Champlain,The Voyages
, 1613
National Library of Canada
During explorations or war expeditions, and when food was scarce, the
French ate Native foods. In the winter, Champlain was happy when the Indians
brought him moose or elk meat.
. . . The savages
gave us a little moose meat, which did us great good, as in winter we have
no healthy change of diet, being confined to the provisions brought from
France, the country around offering no adequate supplies, a disadvantage
which we may hope will be remedied in time by giving attention to the
rearing of cattle, a good beginning in which was made; for the lack of these
things is most prejudicial to the health of many, and particularly to that
of the sick and wounded, who get nothing but salt meat and the several kinds
of flour.
Champlain, The Voyages, 1632
Champlain and his compatriots ate corn and cornflour, squashes and
pumpkins, roots and wild fruits, fish, eel and all types of game. For
feasts, or in times of famine, Champlain offered his Native friends peas and
also bread, which the Indians particularly appreciated.
