Perceptions the Stadaconans and French Had of Each Other.
The Stadaconans and French had good perceptions of each other from the time the French arrived at the native land. From the excerpt: “When they had mixed with us a little onshore, they came freely in their canoes to the sides of our vessels” Cartier explains. (33) The French also thought of the Stadaconans as very behind and referred to them as the sorriest folks that were in the world at that time as most of them did not possess anything apart from their fishing nets, sous and canoes. The French also noted that these people walked naked and wore a small skin (34) covering their private parts and some furs thrown over their shoulders. Cartier explains: “At this, they showed great joy, and the men all began to sing and dance in two or three groups, exhibiting signs of great pleasure at our coming.” Which shows that the French also perceived the Stadaconans as very polite people and kind such that they would welcome foreigners to their land with such joy. The Stadaconans were also happy and joyful to have the French there because of the numerous gifts that the French people gave to them. The French also saw the Stadaconans as great thieves, “They are wonderful thieves and steal everything they can carry off,” Cartier explains.
Due to the welcoming nature of the natives, the goal of bridging the cultural and linguistic gap between the two was met to the extent that they enjoyed the company of each other. The other goal of the French was presuming the use of the native land without their permission. From the excerpt: “…And then he pointed to the land all-around about as if he wished to say that all this region belonged to him and that we ought not to have set up this cross without his permission.” Cartier explains that the chief was not happy with the use of land without permission. Finally, the Stadaconans saw that by giving the French two human gifts and a chance to establish a new life in their land, they had formed a good alliance with the French which would be of benefit to them.