Canadian Explorers By: Samantha

Introduction My project is about Canadian Explorers. Explorers came from Europe to the new world, North America. Some of these explorers landed in Atlantic Canada. When European explorers arrived in Nova Scotia the Mi’kmaq were living there already.

Vikings Vikings were fierce pirates who terrorized Europe from the late 700s to about 1100.During this time Viking sailors also explored the Atlantic Ocean. Vikings came to Greenland, Baffin Island,and Newfoundland.Vikings lived in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The Vikings lived in small communities or a village. A king ruled each Viking community. Most Vikings were farmers. They grew barley, oats, rye, fruits, and vegetables. They also raised cattle, goats, pigs, and sheep.

Vikings (continued) The Vikings also hunted and fished for food. They were cruel but very brave. They loved to fight and had many enemies. Vikings wore helmets decorated with ox horns and bird wings. They traveled in ships called Viking ships.

Vikings (continued) Some famous Vikings were Eric the Red, and his son, Leif Ericson.We are sure the Vikings came to Newfoundland but we are not sure if they came to Nova Scotia.

John Cabot John Cabot was born in Genoa, Italy in When John was 11 his family moved to Venice.John dreamed of exploring the world. In 1466 when John was 16 he went to Mecca. John started to study sailing and mapping. He did this for the next 10 years.

John Cabot (continued) In 1477 John got married to Mattea.They had 3 sons: Lewis, Sebastian, and Sanctus.

John Cabot (continued) John Cabot made his first voyage on May 2, 1497 from England. John had a ship called the Matthew which sailed with a crew of 18 men. The Matthew was not very big so the crew had to eat, sleep and work on the deck.

John Cabot (continued) On June 21, 1497 John Cabot landed in Nova Scotia. They saw Indians which were the Mi’kmaq. John noticed how full the ocean was of fish. He could lower a basket and it would fill with fish. He was amazed.

John Cabot (continued) John Cabot’s second voyage was in He had with him 4 or 5 ships and about 300 men. John was shipwrecked and drowned during this voyage.

John Cabot (continued) The Cabot Trail in Cape Breton is named after John Cabot. He is an important explorer because he discovered Nova Scotia.

Jacques Cartier Jacques Cartier was born in 1491 at St. Malo, France. He studied navigation. On April 20, 1534 Jacques Cartier set sail from France with 2 ships and 61 men. He crossed the Atlantic. He explored Newfoundland, Magdalen Islands, Prince Edward Island, and the Gaspe Peninsula.

Jacques Cartier (continued) Cartier traded with the Mi’kmaq and Iroquois. He was responsible for starting the fur trade in the new world. Cartier had many voyages from France to Canada. He was the first explorer to sail down the St. Lawrence River. He established the first French settlement in Canada. He gave Canada its name.

Samuel De Champlain Samuel De Champlain was born in France between 1567 and Samuel went to sea with his uncle and voyaged to Spain enjoying navigation from a young age. In 1603 Samuel De Champlain sailed from France across the Atlantic and entered the St. Lawrence River. He saw Algonquin Indians. He tasted beaver, seal, blubber, and moose meat for the first time.

Samuel De Champlain (continued) From 1604 to 1607 Samuel De Champlain built Port Royal in Nova Scotia. He founded the Order of Good Cheer. The Order of Good Cheer is a feast. For 20 years Champlain and his helpers struggled to keep settlements and themselves alive. Champlain’s most famous settlement was Acadia. He was known as the father of New France.

Samuel Hearn Samuel Hearn was born in London, England in At the age of 11 he joined the Hudson’s Bay Company and crossed the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. He lived in a fort near Hudson’s Bay and explored northern Canada traveling the Arctic Ocean. He did this for many years.

Samuel Hearn (Continued) He was the first known Englishman to reach the Arctic Ocean on foot and to walk across a frozen body of water, Athapuscow Lake. (Now called Great Slave Lake). Hearn became a writer and a map maker. He was the most outstanding explorer of Canada’s North.

What I Learned When I was doing my project I learned that the Vikings wore hats decorated with ox horns or bird wings. I think they looked cool. I also learned that all of my explorers are very famous and very interesting to learn about. I am very pleased that the Cabot Trail is named after John Cabot.

~The*End~ I hope you liked my show. I had fun making it. Good~Bye! Drive home safely. By: SAMANTHA*